Healthcare News Scotland Limited is looking for someone to join the team behind one of Scotland’s leading health and care news and information platforms: www.healthandcare.scot.

This is a job for a journalist with a few years’ experience (who will be paid at the higher end of the scale) or someone starting a career in journalism who meets the other requirements of the job (who would be expected to be paid at the lower end of the scale).

We are looking for someone who can hit the ground running and work independently after an initial period of support and training. An interest in Scotland’s health and care sector is essential.

The role also involves supporting the monitoring and information services of our sibling company Ettrickburn Limited www.ettrickburn.com which supports clients across health, social care and life sciences to operate and communicate effectively in Scotland.

The Job

In your role as a reporter, you will be supported by the publisher and a researcher/journalist colleague to identify, write and publish news stories, undertaking interviews and writing features for the news site, our regular direct email news service and Facebook and Twitter feeds. You will be expected to work autonomously, following leads and building a network of contacts. From time to time, when pandemic restrictions allow, you may be asked to attend events and conferences, and to conduct face to face interviews. This will represent the bulk of your work.

The researcher part of the role will require you to help compile policy updates for Ettrickburn, and develop and deliver commissioned research projects, meetings and events. You will also help to develop and contribute to new information products. You will be asked to help out with meetings and events that we organise.

The Person

Personal Attributes:

• Ability to manage your workload, operating autonomously but knowing when to seek support and a second opinion;
  a calm, honest and unbiased communicator;
• The desire to share the overall workload and help your colleagues in a small team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and manner.

Essential Skills and Attributes:

• Proven reporting, writing and research skills;
• Attention to detail and accurate written English;
• Written and verbal presentation skills, including the ability to identify key facts for inclusion in summary documents;
• Good understanding of any or all of: NHSScotland, the Scottish Government and Parliament, Scottish local government and social care policy, Scotland’s life sciences sector.

Preferred

• Experience working as a journalist;
• Detailed knowledge of health and social care policy in Scotland;
• Website publishing and content management experience;
• Understanding of Scots Law, legislation on privacy, data protection, Freedom of Information and defamation.

Provided

• IT equipment and phone;
• Mileage and agreed expenses;
• Career support, supervision, feedback and training.

How To Apply

Please send an email to john@ettrickburn.com, with:

• Your CV,
• Two examples of your work (or links to them)
• A cover letter which should be no longer than one page of A4 (maximum 500 words) explaining why this job is for you.

Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.