Job summary
This is a rare opportunity to join the busy and dedicated Communications team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, a large acute Trust on the North West coast.
As Communications Assistant, the successful applicant will undertake a range of important tasks to support the planning and delivery of the communications and engagement strategy of the Trust.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative team player to help make it possible to share critical guidance and information across the Trust's colleagues, patients, visitors and the wider general public - as well as tell the stories of the incredible people who work for the organisation.
Main duties of the job
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Support with the production of press releases
- Internal communications
- Internal and external newsletters
- Presentations and other supporting collateral
- Arranging and attending meetings and events
- Media monitoring
- Distribution of a range of communications
- Planning and distribution of social media content.
The post holder will work as part of a dynamic team to communicate with and secure the engagement of the local community, stakeholders and the workforce of BTH.
About us
The successful applicant will need to handle a busy and constantly changing workload at a busy acute NHS Trust, working both independently and as part of the team.
The Trust's Communications Team forms part of a wider blended team with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. This provides a unique and progressive take with multiple joint posts. Teams work closely together across both Trusts supporting around 15,000 colleagues and a wider population of almost 900,000 people.
Due to the nature of the role, some out of hours working, including evenings and weekends will be expected as and when necessary.
Our joint approach enables us to remove duplication, create greater capacity and maximise on our skill sets to concentrate on what really makes a difference. We are friendly, supportive and ambitious, setting high standards and encouraging each other to try new things, learn and grow every day. What this creates is an environment to be big, bold and brave, with the potential to be involved in new and exciting opportunities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Communications and Engagement
- Support the communications team in the delivery of an effective communications service by commissioning, writing and co-ordinating compelling Trust related articles for use in internal and external publications, social media and web platforms.
- Help produce the twice-weekly e-bulletin, ensuring essential information is included as well as information gathered from divisions and services.
- Support the communications press office function by maintain an accurate record of all media enquiries ensuring they are logged, answered or referred on.
- Draft press releases and non-contentious statements for authorisation by Head of Communications.
- Monitor press coverage and maintain press cuttings, photo library and consent forms.
- Help produce evaluation reports for informing the Board of activity (proactive and reactive) on a monthly basis.
- Receive and provide sensitive information, which is complex in nature in response to difficult situations regarding the public/patients and media.
- Facilitate individual communications campaign plans and co-ordinate a range of support communications activities such as internal and external communications.
- Provide communications and engagement advice to staff such as media, corporate identity, reputation management and best practice.
- Plan, organise and promote key communications events such as awareness days. Develop case studies which can be used in newsletters, press releases, website and social media platforms.
- Provide communications advice and support to staff which may involve complicated, highly sensitive information.
- Undertake photography/video recording for events, for specific publications and for the website and social media.
- Regularly use specialist equipment, such as digital cameras and be responsible for the safe use of this expensive equipment.
- Undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work, for example campaign evaluation, internal communications surveys.
- Follow a range of work procedures and practices, majority non-routine, showing intermediate level of theoretical knowledge. This would include practical knowledge of office administration, media processes, communications and PR procedures, design and print techniques.
- Social Media and Web Responsibilities
- Be responsible for sourcing and creating new social media content that promotes the Trust and its events, creating captivating campaigns.
- Be responsible for building the online community through the Trusts social media platforms and monitor activity, providing reports and analysis.
- Be responsible for monitoring and moderating social media activity, providing appropriate responses.
- Lead on the monitoring and escalation of any potential PR issues arising on social media which might impact the Trusts reputation.
- Ensure that corporate information is kept up to date on the intranet and website.
- Provide cross-cover within the Communications Team when required.
- Administrative Duties
- Monitor departmental inboxes
- Distribution of twice-weekly e-bulletin
- Effectively deal with internal and external enquiries, either in person, on the telephone or via email using initiative to redirect queries as appropriate.
- Maintain health events calendar
- Media monitoring
- All User email management and distribution
- Assist in the distribution of regular and specific publications
- Support the maintenance of Trust intranet and internet
- Support the management of Trust events, including the co-ordination of invitations and acceptances with the Communications team, for example VIP visits and celebrating success
- Comply with Communications standards of behaviour, working practices and policies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Communications and Engagement
- Support the communications team in the delivery of an effective communications service by commissioning, writing and co-ordinating compelling Trust related articles for use in internal and external publications, social media and web platforms.
- Help produce the twice-weekly e-bulletin, ensuring essential information is included as well as information gathered from divisions and services.
- Support the communications press office function by maintain an accurate record of all media enquiries ensuring they are logged, answered or referred on.
- Draft press releases and non-contentious statements for authorisation by Head of Communications.
- Monitor press coverage and maintain press cuttings, photo library and consent forms.
- Help produce evaluation reports for informing the Board of activity (proactive and reactive) on a monthly basis.
- Receive and provide sensitive information, which is complex in nature in response to difficult situations regarding the public/patients and media.
- Facilitate individual communications campaign plans and co-ordinate a range of support communications activities such as internal and external communications.
- Provide communications and engagement advice to staff such as media, corporate identity, reputation management and best practice.
- Plan, organise and promote key communications events such as awareness days. Develop case studies which can be used in newsletters, press releases, website and social media platforms.
- Provide communications advice and support to staff which may involve complicated, highly sensitive information.
- Undertake photography/video recording for events, for specific publications and for the website and social media.
- Regularly use specialist equipment, such as digital cameras and be responsible for the safe use of this expensive equipment.
- Undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work, for example campaign evaluation, internal communications surveys.
- Follow a range of work procedures and practices, majority non-routine, showing intermediate level of theoretical knowledge. This would include practical knowledge of office administration, media processes, communications and PR procedures, design and print techniques.
- Social Media and Web Responsibilities
- Be responsible for sourcing and creating new social media content that promotes the Trust and its events, creating captivating campaigns.
- Be responsible for building the online community through the Trusts social media platforms and monitor activity, providing reports and analysis.
- Be responsible for monitoring and moderating social media activity, providing appropriate responses.
- Lead on the monitoring and escalation of any potential PR issues arising on social media which might impact the Trusts reputation.
- Ensure that corporate information is kept up to date on the intranet and website.
- Provide cross-cover within the Communications Team when required.
- Administrative Duties
- Monitor departmental inboxes
- Distribution of twice-weekly e-bulletin
- Effectively deal with internal and external enquiries, either in person, on the telephone or via email using initiative to redirect queries as appropriate.
- Maintain health events calendar
- Media monitoring
- All User email management and distribution
- Assist in the distribution of regular and specific publications
- Support the maintenance of Trust intranet and internet
- Support the management of Trust events, including the co-ordination of invitations and acceptances with the Communications team, for example VIP visits and celebrating success
- Comply with Communications standards of behaviour, working practices and policies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to diploma level
Desirable
- Degree in journalism or communications related field
Experience
Essential
- Worked within a corporate communications environment
- Media and PR experience
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Windows and Office
- Experience of writing engaging copy for different audiences
- Ability to turn complex information into easily understood messages, suitable for different channels eg print and on-line
- Experience of editing website content through a content management system (CMS)
- Experience of managing online communities and social media campaigns
- Dealing with challenging situations where tact and sensitivity is required
- Experience of working with a variety of people and groups, such as clinical and non clinical staff, the public, community, faith and voluntary sector organisations
Desirable
- Experience of event planning
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to remain efficient under pressure
- Understands the principles of communications and engagement, including experience of developing and delivering campaigns across internal and external channels
- Demonstrative skills in social media, various platforms and monitoring packages
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling challenging issues on a regular basis
- Ability to identify main points from documents and to communicate these to a wide variety of audiences
- Ability to use sound judgement to handle sensitive and personal information
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving
- Ability to use prioritisation techniques to manage diverse workload
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to maintain effective working relationships
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Can demonstrate compassion through excellent communication skills and a tactful/diplomatic approach
- Able to deal with contentious issues with care, professionalism and integrity
- Strong team player - demonstrate commitment to the wider team, willing to work flexibly.
- Creative thinker with positive attitude
- Ability to travel to other BTH sites, within the community and other relevant locations to meet the needs of the post
Desirable
- Ability to interpret complex information such as policy documents and legislation
- Current knowledge of NHS communications and ability to interpret this into the workplace
- Knowledge of the healthcare sector
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to diploma level
Desirable
- Degree in journalism or communications related field
Experience
Essential
- Worked within a corporate communications environment
- Media and PR experience
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Windows and Office
- Experience of writing engaging copy for different audiences
- Ability to turn complex information into easily understood messages, suitable for different channels eg print and on-line
- Experience of editing website content through a content management system (CMS)
- Experience of managing online communities and social media campaigns
- Dealing with challenging situations where tact and sensitivity is required
- Experience of working with a variety of people and groups, such as clinical and non clinical staff, the public, community, faith and voluntary sector organisations
Desirable
- Experience of event planning
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to remain efficient under pressure
- Understands the principles of communications and engagement, including experience of developing and delivering campaigns across internal and external channels
- Demonstrative skills in social media, various platforms and monitoring packages
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling challenging issues on a regular basis
- Ability to identify main points from documents and to communicate these to a wide variety of audiences
- Ability to use sound judgement to handle sensitive and personal information
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving
- Ability to use prioritisation techniques to manage diverse workload
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to maintain effective working relationships
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Can demonstrate compassion through excellent communication skills and a tactful/diplomatic approach
- Able to deal with contentious issues with care, professionalism and integrity
- Strong team player - demonstrate commitment to the wider team, willing to work flexibly.
- Creative thinker with positive attitude
- Ability to travel to other BTH sites, within the community and other relevant locations to meet the needs of the post
Desirable
- Ability to interpret complex information such as policy documents and legislation
- Current knowledge of NHS communications and ability to interpret this into the workplace
- Knowledge of the healthcare sector
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.
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
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.
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).
