Job Description
Job Title:
Clinical Communications Officer
Department:
Communications Department
Reports to:
Communications Manager
Responsible for:
Communications Volunteer (shared task)
Hours:
37.5 hours
______________________________________________________________
Job Purpose
To help ensure that St Oswald’s is promoted effectively to all stakeholders by
assisting in the delivery of St Oswald’s communications strategy.
Key Tasks / Duties and Responsibilities
Marketing
To devise and implement an annual schedule of planned activity regarding patient
information, marketing to health care professionals, corporate communications and
external affairs.
To devise a range of clear, concise and accessible information materials for patients
and carers, to be used across multi-channels including print, video, web and social
media.
To ensure St Oswald’s adheres to statutory requirements and best practice
regarding the provision of patient and carer information.
To devise and implement a marketing plan targeting health care professionals, to
raise awareness about the services St Oswald’s provides, highlight our expertise and
drive referrals.
To ensure St Oswald’s is represented at local health/social care sector events, to
raise awareness of hospice services and build links with partner organisations.
To undertake interviews with patients and staff, to create powerful testimonies and
compelling content to be shared with stakeholders, including colleagues, supporters
and local media.
To work with the Communications Manager to develop, promote, facilitate and
measure effective patient feedback mechanisms, including a patient forum.
To remain abreast of public affairs issues affecting the Hospice on a local and
national level, forge links with key stakeholders, then collate and share market
intelligence internally at all levels.
To support the Communications Manager in developing corporate marketing
materials, including the Annual Report and Annual Review.
To safeguard our corporate identity and branding.
Media
To promote St Oswald’s services, service developments and case studies to local
and healthcare media, via news releases and features.
To co-ordinate TV and radio coverage as appropriate.
To handle incoming media enquiries.
In the event of a major accident or incident, to liaise with Communications
Manager and ensure the emergency management plan is adhered to.
To provide out-of-hours social media community management, on a rota basis.
Events
To help organise promotional events for St Oswald’s.
To represent St Oswald’s Hospice at public events.
Internal Communications
To provide marketing and communications advice and support to clinical colleagues.
To provide tours for internal staff and volunteers and external visitors, following the
tours policy and guidelines.
To advise the Communications Manager, where necessary, of Internal
Communications issues arising within St Oswald’s.
To provide a proof-reading service to colleagues, as required.
Finance and Resources Management
To project management the production and distribution of promotional materials.
Liaising with external designers, printers and media, negotiating the acquisition of
their services at best value and ensuring each job is completed on time and within
budget.
Staff Development
To train, supervise and mentor volunteers within the Communications Department.
To allocate tasks to the Communications Assistants, as appropriate, ensuring they
are fully briefed and supported.
To contribute to policy development within the Communications Department.
Self Development
To keep up to date with new developments, legislation and opportunities in the field
of Communications, to ensure we adhere to models of best practice.
To undertake appropriate personal development and maintain, develop skills and
knowledge as determined by the annual review and development meetings and
subject to the availability of resources.
Risk Management including Health &Safety
To adhere to St Oswald’s Health and Safety policy as set out in St Oswald’s Health
and Safety policy statement.
To attend all health and safety training St Oswalds deems mandatory.
Working Relationships
To develop strong working relationships with all members of staff and volunteers to
contribute to the smooth operational running of St Oswalds.
To develop good links with patients, carers, family members and children benefiting
from St Oswald’s, to help promote the work of St Oswald’s.
To act as an ambassador for St Oswald’s while undertaking tours for external
stakeholders and to provide first class customer care when handling enquiries
received via social media, email or our website.
To develop strong working relations with media personnel and ensure we can
safeguard the reputation of St Oswald’s.
To develop effective links with external agencies and partner organisations, such as
Together for Short Lives and Hospice UK.
To work as a positive team member at all times and in accordance with St Oswald’s
Respect at Work Policy and Procedure.
Effective Ways of Working
To behave in a professional manner at all times, reflecting and maintaining the
values and ethos of the organisation and thereby generating a positive image of St
Oswald’s.
To adhere to all St Oswald’s policies and to ensure that these are maintained at all
times.
Other
To undertake any other duties as appropriate within their competence and general
level of responsibility of the post as required by the Communications Manager from
time to time.
The job description reflects the immediate requirements and objectives of the post. It
is not an exhaustive list of the duties but gives a general indication of the level of
work undertaking, which may vary in detail in the light of changing demands and
priorities. Substantive changes will be carried out in consultation with the post
holder.
______________________________________________________________
DIMENSIONS OF POST
Will co-supervise Comms production and distribution of patient information and
marketing materials is volunteers. Responsible for ensuring the undertaken within
budget. Task and event risk assessments will be undertaken.
RISK ASSESSMENT
The role risk assessment for this post relates to a non clinical / hospice based / day
worker. Additional risk assessments will be carried out in advance of PR events.
DISCLOSURE / LEVEL
An enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check is required.
Prepared by:
Debra Daglish, Communications Manager, February 2014
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Clinical Communications Officer
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
EDUCATION,
QUALIFICATIONS
AND TRAINING

Educated to degree level
APTITUDES AND
ABILTIES

Excellent writing and editing
skills. An adaptable writing
style.
Ability to transform complex
information into clear, concise
and engaging content.

DESIRABLE










PERSONAL
ATTRIBUTES






PREVIOUS /
MINIMUM
EXPERIENCE

OTHER


Strong marketing
communications and design
skills
Strong verbal communication
skills
Strong people skills.
Able to present St Oswalds to a
wide ranging audience.
The creativity to originate new
ideas and the confidence to
implement them.
Able to understand and
assimilate a range of complex
issues
Able to project manage
effectively
Able to promote good working
relationships
Problem solving skills using
judgement and analysis
Empathy with St Oswalds
values and environment
Able to develop good working
relationships and communicate
effectively.
Able to demonstrate abilty to
empathise with patients and
families
Able to work as a member of a
team.
Self starter
Resilient.
Able to handle a varied
workload with competing
priorities.
At least 2 years experience in a
Communications / Marketing officer
level role
Able to undertake some out of
hours working and social media
community management.
Able to drive
Health care
comms /
marketing
experience