Job summary
About the Digital Clinical System Communications Officer
Technology is transforming the way people receive and use NHS services, and the way that services and organisations connect with each other to improve and provide seamless care.
To support this digital transformation East Cheshire NHS Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are jointly procuring, developing and implementing an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system which is known locally as Digital Clinical System (DCS). DCS will be implemented across Cheshire East Partnership (which covers ECT and MCHFT) to improve quality & safety and to enable efficient working practises, leading to better patient experiences for our region.
The DCS implementation forms an integral part of an innovative and exciting clinical transformation programme that will be enabled by a comprehensive digital experience, incorporating a wide range of EPR functionality required to deliver excellent patient care.
The EPR system will mean all patient information will be available electronically, on screen, at any hospital location, at any time. We often have a very disjointed way of collecting and viewing our patient information. The new system will give us a full patient record, available in multiple locations which will improve how we care for our patients.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Head of Business Transformation, we are looking for a dynamic Communications Officer with experience and a passion for people, process, and technology to develop our DCS brand and provide regular, clear, and eye-catching communications and engagement, providing a sense of ownership within our stakeholder community. The role will demand various approaches to successfully reach a wide-ranging audience with the potential to require some "out of hours" activities.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care,child health,maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
The Trust provides over 500 beds and employs over 5,100 members of staff. A comprehensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools through ourCentral Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.
We have played, and continue to play, a proactive role in the development of Integrated Care plans across Cheshire & Merseyside and our local Cheshire East and Cheshire West Place-based systems. We believe, and it is the cornerstone of our five-year Trust Strategy, there is the opportunity to progress innovative, responsive and effective care in the best setting for the patient, be it in the hospital or out in the community.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Research, write, edit, proofread and coordinate internal and external communications mechanisms
- Establish/maintain dedicated communications channels and associated action plans for the DCS.
- Ensure that the content of both Trusts internet and intranet sites are up to date, in relation to the DCS.
- Support the delivery of an effective press office through the handling of media enquiries, production of press releases and monitoring of media coverage related to the DCS.
- Act as a first point of call for media enquiries in relation to the DCS, escalating quickly where these are urgent
- Undertake any photography or filming as required
- Assist the wider DCS team with the management and monitoring of social media channels, including responding to public/staff enquiries and generating content
- Prepare and produce documentation, handbooks, briefing packs, toolkits and reports as required
- To respond quickly, accurately and positively to staff inquiries. This includes monitoring calls, developing feedback mechanisms and reporting back to Communications Manager/Leads/ Head of Business Transformation on how these may be addressed
- As requested by the Communications Manager/Leads and/or Head of Business Transformation , attend certain departmental meetings and events as a representative of the DCS
- Support effective communication and use of evaluation mechanisms to support the DCS engagement and communications, e.g. regular DCS baseline survey
- Support targeted engagement work, both online and in person, for the DCS key stakeholder groups.
- Support the design of communications materials, including the use of desktop publishing, page design and graphic design platforms?
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Research, write, edit, proofread and coordinate internal and external communications mechanisms
- Establish/maintain dedicated communications channels and associated action plans for the DCS.
- Ensure that the content of both Trusts internet and intranet sites are up to date, in relation to the DCS.
- Support the delivery of an effective press office through the handling of media enquiries, production of press releases and monitoring of media coverage related to the DCS.
- Act as a first point of call for media enquiries in relation to the DCS, escalating quickly where these are urgent
- Undertake any photography or filming as required
- Assist the wider DCS team with the management and monitoring of social media channels, including responding to public/staff enquiries and generating content
- Prepare and produce documentation, handbooks, briefing packs, toolkits and reports as required
- To respond quickly, accurately and positively to staff inquiries. This includes monitoring calls, developing feedback mechanisms and reporting back to Communications Manager/Leads/ Head of Business Transformation on how these may be addressed
- As requested by the Communications Manager/Leads and/or Head of Business Transformation , attend certain departmental meetings and events as a representative of the DCS
- Support effective communication and use of evaluation mechanisms to support the DCS engagement and communications, e.g. regular DCS baseline survey
- Support targeted engagement work, both online and in person, for the DCS key stakeholder groups.
- Support the design of communications materials, including the use of desktop publishing, page design and graphic design platforms?
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree (media/PR/journalism/communications) or equivalent work experience
Desirable
- Postgraduate/NCTJ certificate in journalism or equivalent
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Minute taking, including agenda preparation and follow-up actions
Skills
Essential
- Ability to write for different audiences and to present complex information in an easy-to-understand way
Desirable
- Media handling, including preparing statements and issuing press releases
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree (media/PR/journalism/communications) or equivalent work experience
Desirable
- Postgraduate/NCTJ certificate in journalism or equivalent
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Minute taking, including agenda preparation and follow-up actions
Skills
Essential
- Ability to write for different audiences and to present complex information in an easy-to-understand way
Desirable
- Media handling, including preparing statements and issuing press releases
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).
