Job summary
Do you have a passion for story-telling? Do you have exceptional organisational skills, an eye for detail and a desire to share information in a clear, concise and engaging way? If this sounds like you, now is your chance to join our enthusiastic, hard working NHS communications team.
At South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, we believe in providing excellent care which is delivered with pride and compassion. Everything we do is to improve the lives of the people and communities we serve and to promote mental health and wellbeing for all.
Working as part of the wider Communications and Engagement team, the Communications Assistant - Clinical Information will be required to demonstrate a range of communications skills and be an exceptional team player, providing communications advice and support to the team and the wider Trust.
This is an entry level position for a creative and talented individual, who is willing to learn and keen to get their first foot on the career ladder and is interested in developing their career in the communications and PR sector.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the Communications Team, the post holder will:
- Support the day-to-day work of the communications team to deliver a high quality, responsive service
- Act as the first point of contact for all patient information enquiries
- Work with the Communications team to develop and implement the Trust's Patient Information policy
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Patient Information and develop a system for evaluation and feedback
- Advise other teams in the Trust on their patient Information and help devise new ways to engage and reach patients, service users and carers
- Work with colleagues to explore innovative ways to reach patients, service users and carers via video content for social and digital media
- Liaise with staff and support the team to come up with a range of solutions that best suit the target audience
- Create engaging and compelling written and digital content for a variety of audiences and channels
- Form effective relationships with staff at all levels across the organisation
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
The Trust employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, we provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at our Trust, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as part of the wider Communications and Engagement Team, the Communications Assistant will be required to demonstrate a wide range of communications skills and be an exceptional team player, providing communications advice and support to the team and the wider Trust.
The position is suitable for someone who has all-round communication skills including internal communications, digital communications and social media. It is a great opportunity to begin as a trainee within the NHS and get on-the-job experience in a busy public sector environment. This role is for a person who can hit the ground running, take the initiative and respond quickly on their feet.
They must be able to work in a pressurised environment, be used to working to tight deadlines and will be used to managing your own workload without direction. They will be highly organised with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
They will be the first point of contact for other teams with their patient information requirements, from leaflets to online content and will assist with facilitating, coordinating, implementing, updating and developing Trust-wide information for patients, service users and carers across all platforms including print and digital. They will also 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.
Working with support from the Senior Clinical Communications Manager, and Clinical Communications Officer they will ensure all material is produced within Trust guidelines and that all patient information complies with the Accessible Information Standard requirements.
Although the role focuses largely on production of patient information, it also provides an opportunity to learn about all aspects of communications and engagement and the post holder will take on responsibility for small projects as part of their development.
They will report to the Senior Clinical Communications Manager and provide support and assistance to the whole team, using their skills to improve the communications service to the whole Trust.
As a member of the Communications Team, the post holder will:
- Support the day-to-day work of the communications team to deliver a high quality, responsive service
- Act as the first point of contact for all patient information enquiries
- Work with the Communications team to develop and implement the Trusts Patient Information policy
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Patient Information and develop a system for evaluation and feedback
- Advise other teams in the Trust on their patient Information and help devise new ways to engage and reach patients, service users and carers
- Work with colleagues to explore innovative ways to reach patients, service users and carers via video content for social and digital media
- Liaise with staff and support the team to come up with a range of solutions that best suit the target audience
- Create engaging and compelling written and digital content for a variety of audiences and channels
- Form effective relationships with staff at all levels across the organisation
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as part of the wider Communications and Engagement Team, the Communications Assistant will be required to demonstrate a wide range of communications skills and be an exceptional team player, providing communications advice and support to the team and the wider Trust.
The position is suitable for someone who has all-round communication skills including internal communications, digital communications and social media. It is a great opportunity to begin as a trainee within the NHS and get on-the-job experience in a busy public sector environment. This role is for a person who can hit the ground running, take the initiative and respond quickly on their feet.
They must be able to work in a pressurised environment, be used to working to tight deadlines and will be used to managing your own workload without direction. They will be highly organised with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
They will be the first point of contact for other teams with their patient information requirements, from leaflets to online content and will assist with facilitating, coordinating, implementing, updating and developing Trust-wide information for patients, service users and carers across all platforms including print and digital. They will also 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.
Working with support from the Senior Clinical Communications Manager, and Clinical Communications Officer they will ensure all material is produced within Trust guidelines and that all patient information complies with the Accessible Information Standard requirements.
Although the role focuses largely on production of patient information, it also provides an opportunity to learn about all aspects of communications and engagement and the post holder will take on responsibility for small projects as part of their development.
They will report to the Senior Clinical Communications Manager and provide support and assistance to the whole team, using their skills to improve the communications service to the whole Trust.
As a member of the Communications Team, the post holder will:
- Support the day-to-day work of the communications team to deliver a high quality, responsive service
- Act as the first point of contact for all patient information enquiries
- Work with the Communications team to develop and implement the Trusts Patient Information policy
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Patient Information and develop a system for evaluation and feedback
- Advise other teams in the Trust on their patient Information and help devise new ways to engage and reach patients, service users and carers
- Work with colleagues to explore innovative ways to reach patients, service users and carers via video content for social and digital media
- Liaise with staff and support the team to come up with a range of solutions that best suit the target audience
- Create engaging and compelling written and digital content for a variety of audiences and channels
- Form effective relationships with staff at all levels across the organisation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Five GCSEs or equivalents (this must include A*- C in Maths and English Language or equivalent).
- High level of literacy
- Attention to detail
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Experience of team working
- Experience of supporting projects from an initial brief through to implementation.
- Experience in writing for diverse audiences across a number of communication channels.
- Previous communications or admin work experience
Desirable
- Experience in a role supporting events
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Good copywriting/ proofreading skills/ knowledge/experience
- Knowledge of producing content for print and digital (e.g. posters, leaflets, blog posts)
- Ability to work independently
- Sound knowledge and interest in communications and marketing
- Ability to interpret and create concepts from briefs
- Demonstrable ability to multi- task and prioritise effectively
Desirable
- Knowledge of what's happening in the NHS
- Knowledge of content management systems and updating websites
- Knowledge of how to write for individual target audiences
Other
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
- Passion for creativity and social media and able to provide evidence of creating content that engages people
- Ability to use own initiative
- Team working skills
- Ability to be flexible
Desirable
- Interest in photography, video creation and web design
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Five GCSEs or equivalents (this must include A*- C in Maths and English Language or equivalent).
- High level of literacy
- Attention to detail
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Experience of team working
- Experience of supporting projects from an initial brief through to implementation.
- Experience in writing for diverse audiences across a number of communication channels.
- Previous communications or admin work experience
Desirable
- Experience in a role supporting events
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Good copywriting/ proofreading skills/ knowledge/experience
- Knowledge of producing content for print and digital (e.g. posters, leaflets, blog posts)
- Ability to work independently
- Sound knowledge and interest in communications and marketing
- Ability to interpret and create concepts from briefs
- Demonstrable ability to multi- task and prioritise effectively
Desirable
- Knowledge of what's happening in the NHS
- Knowledge of content management systems and updating websites
- Knowledge of how to write for individual target audiences
Other
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
- Passion for creativity and social media and able to provide evidence of creating content that engages people
- Ability to use own initiative
- Team working skills
- Ability to be flexible
Desirable
- Interest in photography, video creation and web design
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).
