Senior Digital Communications Officer

Role Summary and Communication Responsibilities

The role primarily involves conveying complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, their families, and carers, especially concerning hearing loss diagnosis, implant eligibility, and managing expectations. This includes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams including speech and language therapists, psychologists, educators for the deaf, ENT/AVM consultants, cochlear implant manufacturers, and other external stakeholders.

Management and Leadership Duties

The individual will oversee daily operations of the paediatric cochlear implant service such as scheduling, managing staff leave and absences, inventory control, and maintaining sufficient clinical staffing. They are responsible for supervising junior staff through appraisal, guidance, and recruitment support.

Education, Research and Operational Tasks

The officer is expected to mentor junior audiologists and students, contribute to audits, research projects, and continuing professional development activities. They should aim to present or publish research findings at national or international forums. Operational responsibilities include accurate and timely record maintenance in systems like Epic and AuditBase, generating reports for general practitioners and caregivers, monitoring referrals and waiting lists, along with ensuring equipment calibration and compliance with health and safety standards.

Digital Communications Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, design, and management of digital and printed materials showcasing innovative research at UCLH, UCL Joint Research Office, and the Biomedical Research Centre.
• Produce and edit photographic and video content, coordinating external contractors for media projects.
• Assist in designing communication materials for staff across the Joint Research Office.
• Develop and publish content such as news stories, newsletters, social media updates, intranet posts, and displays on digital screens within hospitals.
• Collaborate with the Research Communications Manager to execute a research communication strategy aimed at enhancing research inclusion and expanding the commercial research portfolio.
• Implement consistent evaluation methods to measure digital engagement and social media impact.
• Stay abreast of trends in digital and social media usage in government, NHS, and public sectors to identify and apply effective practices.
• Support colleagues in planning and delivering community outreach events and research open days.

About the Employer

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a complex healthcare provider serving a diverse population across eight specialized sites. The Trust offers acute and specialist services in areas including women’s health, cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal, and dental diseases. It boasts advanced support services like critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine, and pathology.

Committed to sustainability, UCLH aims to become a carbon net zero health service, targeting zero emissions for direct operations by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Contact Information

For further information or informal discussions please contact:
Name: Matthew Chorley
Position: Research Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]