Communications Assistant - Clinical | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

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.

• 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

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.

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.

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 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.

• 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

This advert closes on Sunday 13 Oct 2024