Totally last minute, as I forgot you were working at St. Mary’s, but… I have an interview Friday (Jan. 27) for a communications specialist job at Columbia St. Mary’s hospital in Milwaukee (my current home). This would be something completely different for me coming from my print media background, but they obviously picked up on something in my resume. The job description follows. Any advice from one Catholic healthcare worker to another (potentially)?

Thanks,
Jason

Communications specialist

- Bachelors degree is required
- Experience is required

Columbia St. Mary’s is a healthcare ministry with several regional hospitals and local clinics, serving a culturally diverse patient population throughout southeastern Wisconsin. For over 150 years we’ve combined the finest medical attention with a sincere passion for patient care. Many of our dedicated staff started their healthcare career with us and have stayed for years! Bring your passion for patient care to our very special place and be welcomed into our family!

POSITION PURPOSE:
The Communications Specialist will be responsible for ensuring consistent, relevant, timely, and engaging communications to further relationships with patients, donors and other community members.

SCOPE OF SERVICE
The Communications Specialist provides copywriting and editing services to the CSM External Relations Department, ensuring all branding and style guidelines are met. Develops meaningful relationships within other CSM Departments to ensure External Relations access to patient and donor success stories.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Partners with Marketing to work collaboratively on marketing and communication efforts that promote CSM’s programs and services.
* Provides assistance to the Chief Communications Officer with media relations.
* Responsible for writing electronic communications for the Foundation and various Marketing initiatives, that might include intranet updates, website updates, e-newsletters, emails and social media.
* Writes speeches, public presentations and physician communications.
* Maintains extensive knowledge of Columbia St. Mary’s programs, service lines and Foundation campaigns to ensure accurate and timely information is available.
* Ensures Columbia St. Mary’s image and brand are positively reflected in the CSM family and within the community.
* Maintains excellent verbal/written communication skills, meets deadlines, can manage multiple projects, all while maintaining a positive attitude.
* Responsible for managing written projects from start to finish – writing through to production.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

* Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
* 3-5 years writing and communications experience, preferably in a non-profit organization.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills. Public relations experience highly favorable.
* Strong interpersonal skills and temperament to work effectively with diverse constituents, internally and externally.
* Ability to take initiative and be self directed.
* Ability to effectively multi-task: manage a number a varied programs and projects.
* Proficient or experienced with Windows operating system, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Raiser’s Edge and database management.
* Experienced in managing confidential and sensitive information

In writing something, btw, you demonstrated that you know “lying in bed” is correct, not laying. Ah, the lost art of the intransitive verb.