Clinical Communications Officer

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Join our dynamic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Team and be the driving force behind impactful, timely, and engaging information delivery for our staff, service users, and carers. As a pivotal member of our team, you will manage general requests and enquiries, ensuring our communications are always relevant and captivating, especially for our vital clinical projects, all in alignment with our Trust's overarching communications strategy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to showcase and hone your skills across various communication mediums and techniques. You'll have the chance to create, execute, and assess innovative and engaging content that makes a real difference.

In close collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager for clinical communications, and alongside other departments and stakeholders, you will spearhead communications and engagement initiatives that drive our Trust's key objectives forward. Step into a role where your contributions will shape and strengthen our community.

Main duties of the job

  • To manage requests for communications support and enquiries into the team
  • To proactively gather stories and case studies from across the Trust and its partners and produce written content for use on communications channels with a particular focus on clinical communications, service updates and patient information
  • To ensure clinical information is regularly reviewed and up-to-date e.g. web/intranet content
  • To provide professional advice to teams across the Trust in relations to communications and engagement
  • To Build relationships with staff, service users and carers, and the Trust's partners to understand their communications needs and provide support
  • To support the delivery of communications campaigns and activities across the team including events, projects and clinical (e.g. Operational, Nursing, Medical and Psychology) services

About us

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family.

We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at South London and Maudsley. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.

Some of our benefits include:

  • Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package, which is dependent on the role and length of service
  • Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing
  • Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
  • Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease carsAccommodation, our staff benefits from key-worker housing available which is available on selected sites

NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.

Other benefits include:

  • Counselling services
  • Wellbeing events
  • Long service awards
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Season ticket loan
  • Childcare vouchers
  • Staff restaurants

Date posted

25 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£34,089 to £41,498 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-NCL-6453662-TA

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill, London

SE5 8AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical communications (including patient information)

  • To produce a wide range of high-quality written communications materials including internal briefings and case studies, newsletter articles, media releases and produce content for digital channels. Work closely with internal departments and colleagues to draft and edit copy on leaflets, information for patients, posters, reports, screensavers and all Trust literature as appropriate
  • To provide professional communications and engagement advice and guidance to other teams in the Trust on the clinical and patient information requirements and help devise new ways to engage and reach patients, service users and carers
  • To audit patient information materials to ensure they are accurate and high quality
  • Support external, internal and virtual events, including booking venues, organising invitations and maintaining a log of attendees and feedback
  • Ensure the Trust's values are embedded and expressed in all activities and underpin all clinical messages
Communications and relations
  • Manage enquiries and requests that come into the team in a timely and professional manner in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
  • Proactively source positive news stories from across the Trust that can be used across multiple communications channels including the development of a bank of case studies that demonstrate innovation and development of staff
  • To produce written content with the target audience in mind, communicated via the appropriate channels and in line with plain English and accessibility guidelines
  • Edit and upload news stories and other content for the intranet and public website
  • Lead on the promotion of key mini-campaigns and awareness days and support on other major internal and external focussed events, campaigns and medical communications
  • Develop creative and engaging ways of evaluating the effectiveness of communications campaigns and presenting data in attractive and accessible ways
  • Advocate on behalf of the department on the importance of good practice in communications
  • Line management of junior staff as appropriate
Policy and service development
  • To contribute to the development of the patient information policy and its implementation across the Trust
  • To ensure all communications produced are consistent with the Trusts corporate identity and brand and meet corporate identity guidelines
  • To ensure any photography used adheres to copyright regulations and is carried out in line with trust policy in terms of consent
Information resources
  • To produce and/or assist in the preparation of business reports and, where necessary, attend relevant meetings to deliver those reports and advise on communications issues
  • To assist in preparing briefings for regulatory and advisory bodies in respect of updating them on complex issues
  • To undertake audits, surveys and utilise other feedback techniques to evaluate the communications function both internally and externally
  • To manage key corporate documents on the website and intranet through version control measures, ensuring these are accurate and up to date

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical communications (including patient information)

  • To produce a wide range of high-quality written communications materials including internal briefings and case studies, newsletter articles, media releases and produce content for digital channels. Work closely with internal departments and colleagues to draft and edit copy on leaflets, information for patients, posters, reports, screensavers and all Trust literature as appropriate
  • To provide professional communications and engagement advice and guidance to other teams in the Trust on the clinical and patient information requirements and help devise new ways to engage and reach patients, service users and carers
  • To audit patient information materials to ensure they are accurate and high quality
  • Support external, internal and virtual events, including booking venues, organising invitations and maintaining a log of attendees and feedback
  • Ensure the Trust's values are embedded and expressed in all activities and underpin all clinical messages
Communications and relations
  • Manage enquiries and requests that come into the team in a timely and professional manner in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
  • Proactively source positive news stories from across the Trust that can be used across multiple communications channels including the development of a bank of case studies that demonstrate innovation and development of staff
  • To produce written content with the target audience in mind, communicated via the appropriate channels and in line with plain English and accessibility guidelines
  • Edit and upload news stories and other content for the intranet and public website
  • Lead on the promotion of key mini-campaigns and awareness days and support on other major internal and external focussed events, campaigns and medical communications
  • Develop creative and engaging ways of evaluating the effectiveness of communications campaigns and presenting data in attractive and accessible ways
  • Advocate on behalf of the department on the importance of good practice in communications
  • Line management of junior staff as appropriate
Policy and service development
  • To contribute to the development of the patient information policy and its implementation across the Trust
  • To ensure all communications produced are consistent with the Trusts corporate identity and brand and meet corporate identity guidelines
  • To ensure any photography used adheres to copyright regulations and is carried out in line with trust policy in terms of consent
Information resources
  • To produce and/or assist in the preparation of business reports and, where necessary, attend relevant meetings to deliver those reports and advise on communications issues
  • To assist in preparing briefings for regulatory and advisory bodies in respect of updating them on complex issues
  • To undertake audits, surveys and utilise other feedback techniques to evaluate the communications function both internally and externally
  • To manage key corporate documents on the website and intranet through version control measures, ensuring these are accurate and up to date

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree qualification or relevant equivalent experience
  • Evidence of on-going personal and professional development

Experience

Essential

  • Writing for different audiences and communications channels
  • Producing and managing content for print
  • Producing and managing content for websites and social media channels
  • Experience of designing, writing and sending email newsletter via a professional grade email service provider
  • Procuring external goods and services
  • Involving service users, carers and members of the general public in projects
  • Experience of organising events and workshops for both internal and external audiences
  • Demonstrable experience of managing a busy and deadline demanding workload Excellent verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills
  • Experience of dealing with people at all levels including senior level and the public
  • Experience of taking formal minutes
  • Experience of using initiative and enthusiasm to problem solve
  • Working in a small team within a large organisation; understanding its relationships and role, working with multiple partners and stakeholders

Desirable

  • Experience of NHS
  • Experience of working in a communications function
  • Experience of organising events/conferences/workshops for internal and external audiences
  • Experience of training and presenting to a range of audiences

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Strong communication skills
  • Good knowledge of digital platforms, including social media
  • High level of literacy sufficient to write reports and represent information clearly at senior level
  • High level of attention to details
  • Ability to simultaneously manage a broad range of activities and sub-projects
  • Strong planning and organisational skills
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and work without direct supervision using own initiative within a changing and demanding environment
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to make judgements involving information and situations which require analysis and interpretation and comparison of a range of options
  • Accurate minute-taking skills
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands

Desirable

  • Report writing skills
  • Writing skills which are adaptable for a variety of different media and audiences e.g. websites / intranets, social media, magazines, newsletters
  • High level of Knowledge in social media use including smartphone videos and photography
  • Ability to manage/organise and analyse data to report on digital communication metrics e.g. website, social media and email performance

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Ability to act in accordance with our values and behaviours

Other

Essential

  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems

Desirable

  • Personal experience of mental health problems
Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree qualification or relevant equivalent experience
  • Evidence of on-going personal and professional development

Experience

Essential

  • Writing for different audiences and communications channels
  • Producing and managing content for print
  • Producing and managing content for websites and social media channels
  • Experience of designing, writing and sending email newsletter via a professional grade email service provider
  • Procuring external goods and services
  • Involving service users, carers and members of the general public in projects
  • Experience of organising events and workshops for both internal and external audiences
  • Demonstrable experience of managing a busy and deadline demanding workload Excellent verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills
  • Experience of dealing with people at all levels including senior level and the public
  • Experience of taking formal minutes
  • Experience of using initiative and enthusiasm to problem solve
  • Working in a small team within a large organisation; understanding its relationships and role, working with multiple partners and stakeholders

Desirable

  • Experience of NHS
  • Experience of working in a communications function
  • Experience of organising events/conferences/workshops for internal and external audiences
  • Experience of training and presenting to a range of audiences

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Strong communication skills
  • Good knowledge of digital platforms, including social media
  • High level of literacy sufficient to write reports and represent information clearly at senior level
  • High level of attention to details
  • Ability to simultaneously manage a broad range of activities and sub-projects
  • Strong planning and organisational skills
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and work without direct supervision using own initiative within a changing and demanding environment
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to make judgements involving information and situations which require analysis and interpretation and comparison of a range of options
  • Accurate minute-taking skills
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands

Desirable

  • Report writing skills
  • Writing skills which are adaptable for a variety of different media and audiences e.g. websites / intranets, social media, magazines, newsletters
  • High level of Knowledge in social media use including smartphone videos and photography
  • Ability to manage/organise and analyse data to report on digital communication metrics e.g. website, social media and email performance

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Ability to act in accordance with our values and behaviours

Other

Essential

  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems

Desirable

  • Personal experience of mental health problems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill, London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill, London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Communications Manager

Alexandra Grover

alexandra.grover@slam.nhs.uk

Date posted

25 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£34,089 to £41,498 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-NCL-6453662-TA

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill, London

SE5 8AZ


Supporting documents

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