The EMAHSN communications team is advertising for a Digital Communications Specialist. The successful post holder will be responsible for leading the delivery and creation of digital communications activity.

In this blog, Chanice Jenkins Senior Communications Manager for Digital and Corporate projects gives insight into what it’s like working at the EMAHSN as well as the opportunities the role will bring.

I joined the EMAHSN back in 2016, and I can truly say the time has flown by and it has been filled with exciting and valuable opportunities. I started my journey as a Digital Communications Assistant to now a Senior Communications Manager leading digital and corporate projects and I have not looked back since.

What’s it like working in communications at EMAHSN?

As one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks across the country, we are the innovation arm of the NHS for the East Midlands. This means not only will you work with colleagues in the East Midlands, but you’ll also contribute to national programmes designed to transform lives through health innovation. 

 As an organisation, we are forward thinking, agile and innovative, keeping our fingers on the pulse of the health innovation landscape. This is reflected in our work, which means that no day is the same as there is such variety and we work at the core of the organisation. We are a small but mighty team of four and we play a vital role in supporting and advising teams on the best methods of communications.

What’s great about my role? and examples of some of the programmes I have been part of

In the communications team, we see ourselves as ‘enablers’ to bring our work and innovative programmes to life. The brilliant thing about our organisation is communications isn’t seen as a bolt on or afterthought. It is a golden thread that runs throughout all our work and is considered at the start of any activity. Therefore it is within our gift to keep up to speed with all our innovation projects, although there is a lot the team are incredibly supportive and there’s always someone around to grab a quick chat with.

Our organisation is unique and many of the tools and techniques involve working in a targeted way to create influence. For example, our Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) is a key tool for us to manage our stakeholder activity and allows us to keep track of our engagements.  We also have an engaged list across the health and care system and commercial sector signed up for our newsletters and a strong network on our social media accounts which are valuable channels for our organisation.

Some examples of work I’ve been working on recently include launching a brand new offer for the EMAHSN called Ignite. This involved leading a branding workshop, developing a new logo, building its website presence and delivering a digital communications campaign to promote.

I have found it especially rewarding to deliver the communications on our Focus ADHD programme. This programme sees almost 75,000 young people nationally aged 6-18 years benefit from an objective assessment for ADHD. One of the great things about our organisations is the breadth of stakeholders you get to work with. For instance, the ADHD programme, involved developing materials nationally for other AHSN communications teams, working with the programme lead to develop key messages for stakeholders within hospital trusts and community providers, and closely working with the supplier of the innovation Qbtech. Using our channels such as social media, website and newsletters to really amplify and share our impact.

Why apply for the communications specialist digital role?

Hopefully, if I’ve done a good job you’re convinced about submitting an application, but just to add here are three reasons why it is worth applying for the digital specialist role.

1. Opportunity to produce digital assets to support our innovation portfolio – key external channels for our organisation include our website and social media. In the digital specialist role, you’ll have management of these channels -  working with teams to create rich content in a variety of formats. For example, this could include, leading the production of video content and animated graphics to articulate and showcase programme impact.
2. Insight into new subject areas – Although I’ve been with the organisation for some years, I can honestly say that you do learn new things all the time, working with experts in their fields. Whether it be finding out about how care is provided within a hospital or condition area there is so much to learn. I often find myself educating my family members on new terms I’ve learnt.
3. You’ll work as part of a supportive and lovely team of people – In the communications team, you are surrounded by passionate members, who are very supportive with an abundance of expertise, and we have regular touch points as a team to check in. There is also a lovely culture across the organisation of ‘no question is a silly one to ask’ this made me feel comfortable when I first started and I instantly felt I was in a safe environment.

Interested to know more?

To get more of a feel of what we do, take a look at the ‘Who we are’ section on our website.

For more information on the role, take a look at the join our team page to apply for the role visit the NHS Jobs website.