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Position: Vendor Quality Assurance Analyst Practice: Health and Welfare OperationsJob Title: Vendor Quality Assurance Analyst (Carrier Operations)Reporting To: LeadExperience: 2+ YearsJob Overview:The Vendor Quality Assurance Analyst (Carrier Operations) supports the delivery of health and welfare benefits administration by performing quality assurance testing of carrier files before transmission. The role ensures that the data generated is accurate, complete, compliant, and carrier-ready.This position operates within production adjacent carrier operations, where errors can result in enrollment failures, coverage gaps, and client escalations. The role is not software development nor platform configuration. It is domain-led operational QA, focused on validating Carrier file outputs against carrier requirements and benefits rules.Key Responsibilities and DutiesTranslate vendor and carrier file requirements into structured test plans, test scenarios, and detailed test cases across all phases of the QA lifecycle, including internal and external format and scenario testing.Validate carrier flat files, including ANSI and HIPAA 834 files, for structural accuracy, format compliance, and data integrity, covering layouts, delimiters, headers and trailers, record counts, eligibility, elections, plan codes, effective and termination dates, and dependent relationships.Trace and reconcile data end-to-end, from upstream imports through system tables and benefit elections to final flat file output, comparing results against reports, control totals, and expected member counts.Analyze test results to identify defects, data discrepancies, and recurring patterns, and escalate issues through appropriate channels for resolution.Review carrier response files and error reports post-transmission, assess rejection trends, and incorporate findings into enhanced testing criteria and defect prevention measures.Collaborate with configuration, data, operations, and vendor communication teams through iterative testing cycles to remediate issues and validate corrected files prior to release.Participate in formal approval and review gates, including test plan validation, post-test confirmation, and production release readiness sign-off.Maintain comprehensive QA documentation, including test plans, checklists, validation evidence, defect logs, and testing notes, to support audit readiness, knowledge continuity, and carrier onboarding or Annual Enrollment activities.Apply strong health and welfare domain knowledge, including eligibility and enrollment processing rules, to ensure accurate interpretation of file requirements and testing outcomes.Continuously enhance testing effectiveness by adopting improved methods, tools, and quality controls appropriate for regulated benefits administration environments.Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or equivalent technical education.Minimum 2 years of experience in health insurance or health and welfare benefits administration, with a strong understanding of eligibility processes, COBRA, and end-to-end carrier operations workflows.Hands-on experience testing flat files (delimited or fixed-width) and HIPAA 834 files in operational environments, including validation of ANSI/834 file layouts, structure, integrations, and data accuracy.Proficiency in SQL and working knowledge of relational database concepts to support data validation, reconciliation, and defect analysis.Strong working knowledge of MS Excel for data analysis, reconciliation, and validation activities.Experience creating and maintaining QA documentation, including test plans, checklists, validation evidence, and defect logs, and using ticketing or defect tracking tools such as JIRA.Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify data inconsistencies and assess their impact on carrier file processing.Effective communication skills, with the ability to document issues clearly, collaborate across cross-functional teams, and manage multiple testing cycles within defined turnaround timelines.Familiarity with structured delivery environments such as Agile or Scrum.