Public Relations Specialist jobs in Connecticut

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Responsible for Hospital media relations, working with staff and administration to maximize positive visibility and minimize negative exposure. Responsible for writing and disseminating news releases and media advisories; handles all media inquiries; proactively pitches and places media stories; schedules and coordinates media interviews and news conferences; and manages media issues. Provides media relations advice and training to hospital staff. Supports and collaborates with YNHHS Marketing and Communications. Monitors and logs all media coverage. Provides quarterly and yearly media coverage updates to Dir. PR, YNHHS. Contributes as a writer and editor to hospital publications. Coordinates hospital video productions and photos shoots. Plays a key role in disaster communications s well as on-call and on-site media management. Serves on hospital committees, as needed.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Media Relations
• 1.1. Manages all media relations activity regarding the Hospital and its patients, including notification of media visits or coverage to appropriate departments and personnel within the Hospital. Notifies Security and escorts or designates appropriate staff to accompany reporters and photographers who are on premises. Maintains strict patient and system confidentiality abiding by HIPAA. Ensure all patient interviews and photographs have appropriately signed consent form and that those forms are scanned and stored on the shared drive.
• 1.2. Identifies and prepares most appropriate spokesperson for the situation and serves as organizational spokesperson for print and broadcast media when needed.
• 1.3. Develops appropriate materials for implementation of media relations activities including press releases, media advisories, press kits and press conferences.
• 1.4. Uses media monitoring service to manage clips reports, download TV hits, maintain media mailing lists, news clipping archives and provide regular reports on media relations activities as well as an end of year summary of all hits and their associated ad revenue value.
• 1.5. Must be available to respond to occasional crisis situations after hours, as needed.
• 1.6. Performs other related duties as required by the Marketing and Communications Department.
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• 2. Issues Management
• 2.1. Oversees issues management, including early identification of potential issues; development and implementation of strategies for working with print, broadcast and electronic media; and development of media statements and FAQs for both internal and external audiences when requested.
• 2.2. Assist Dir. Public Relations in crisis communications and disaster planning.
• 2.3. Advises, counsels and trains staff related to media interactions.
• 2.4. Serves as Hospital PR liaison/PIO on crisis team as needed and ensures clear messaging of approved talking points to media. Onsite PIO during crisis situations when requested.
• 2.5. Develops and assists in implementation of communications plans, as needed.
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• 3. Marketing and Advertising/System Support
• 3.1. Develops and implements strategies for dealing with and utilizing news media in conjunction with overall marketing and communications plans.
• 3.2. Works with Marketing and Communications and ad agencies, as appropriate, on advertising copy and script writing for print, radio and broadcast ads. Performs other related duties as requested by the Marketing and Communications Department.
• 3.3. Attends regular Marketing and Communications staff meetings as well as Divisionals and PR Team meetings in person.
• 3.4. Collaborates regularly with media relations coordinators from other YNHHS delivery networks.
• 3.5. Assists with facilities location scheduling for production companies when needed for hospital or system video, advertising or film productions. At times, may require more involvement depending on film company and type of video.
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• 4. Internal Communications Support
• 4.1. Supports internal communication as directed including intranet updates and other periodic publications. This area will vary based upon Hospital requirements and marketing support. Position may also require management of external publications. Provide photography support if needed.
• 4.2. Manages radio show in markets where required.
• 4.3. Serves as departmental representative to Hospital committees as assigned.
• 4.4. Assists with the planning and publicizing of special events as required and performs other related duties as needed by the Dir. Public Relations and the Marketing and Communications Department.
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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree required. Preferably in journalism, public relations or communications.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five to seven years in a media relations or communications position. Healthcare industry preferred. Must have experience dealing with media and managing crisis communications. Excellent writing and editing experience required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Excellent communications skills with emphasis on working with media, pitching news stories and interacting with clinical personnel. Proficient in Microsoft office. Must have excellent organizational skills, along with ability to handle multiple tasks at once and work independently to achieve goals. Must have strong interpersonal skills.