Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital is seeking a Communications Officer to join our growing team

**Why should you work at KDH?**:

- Competitive wages based on central and local collective agreements
- Excellent benefits with medical, dental and vision plans for full-time employees (extended healthcare and/or dental care available for part-time employees)
- HOOPP Pension program
- Reimbursement for recertification of BCLS, ACLS, and TNCC
- Internal cross-training opportunities
- Regular meetings with managers to engage and provide feedback
- Recognition programs
- Long service awards
- Employee discounts through corporate partnerships
- Small rural community hospital with a wide variety of services that has a big impact on regional programs
- 20 minutes south of Ottawa on the 416 going against traffic = easy commute
- Rural living with all the amenities of city life

**Key Responsibilities**:
**LEADERSHIP**:

- Communicates and promotes the vision, mission, values and goals of the Hospital to internal and external stakeholders;
- Participates in strategic planning and resource planning;
- Facilitates the effective integration of the strategic plan within the incumbent’s department;
- Effectively leads and manages change processes within the incumbent’s department;
- Manages financial resources, ensures expenses stay within policy guidelines, and implements cost-saving measures for their department;
- Develops and promotes a climate that fosters and supports cooperation, team work, commitment, creativity and critical thinking directed at improving patient and family centred care and experience. Also promotes empowerment, accountability, membership in professional associations and recognition of staff at all levels;
- Promotes coordination and collaboration with Canadian Accreditation Standards;
- Provides input into Senior Leadership Team decision-making and planning;
- Provides input into formulation of corporate level policy and direction by providing data and information to senior leadership and board members;
- Develops and implements policies and processes in cooperation with and for approval by the CEO;
- Attends special events and activities organized by the Hospital or runs on its behalf and maintains a record of activities;
- Utilizes project management principles and practices to ensure project goals, methods, activities and outcomes on behalf of the Hospital;
- Participates in committees as required;
- Ensures that staff and themself adhere to KDH’s commitment to Patient and Family Centred Care principles whose core concepts are dignity and respect, information sharing, participation and collaboration.

**STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLANNING**:

- Collaborates with the CEO and senior leadership to develop and implement annual communication strategies aligned with the hospital’s mission, vision, and goals and designed to help KDH achieve its strategic objectives;
- Identifies key communication objectives and target audiences to tailor messaging appropriately;
- Continuously assesses the effectiveness of communication strategies and makes adjustments as necessary’
- Ensures elevation and consistency of the KDH brand through effective brand management.

**MEDIA RELATIONS**:

- Serves as the primary liaison between the hospital and media outlets;
- Drafts press releases, statements, and media advisories to announce significant hospital news, events, or initiatives;
- Coordinates media inquiries and interviews, ensuring accurate representation of the hospital’s activities and positions;
- Prepares KDH leadership for interviews by developing and discussing key messages, potential Q&A, etc.

**EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS**:

- Produces Health Matters magazine two times per year to help achieve hospital and KDH Foundation objectives;
- Develops and implements advertising campaigns on request;
- Provides communications assistance to KDH Auxiliary, Patient and Family Advisory Committee, Board of Directors and KDH departments on request;
- Develops and implements communication plans for special projects such as Accreditation;
- Produces brochures/flyers/signs on request.

**INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS**:

- Develops and manages internal communication channels to foster transparency, engagement, and alignment among hospital staff;
- Produces newsletters, memos, and other internal communications to keep staff informed about organizational updates, policies, and events;
- Utilizes the KDH SharePoint site for internal communications;
- Organizes staff meetings, town halls, and other open forums to facilitate dialogue and feedback mechanisms.

**DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT**:

- Creates compelling and relevant content for online distribution, adhering to brand guidelines and industry best practices;
- Monitors online conversations and engages with stakeholders to address inquiries, feedback, and concerns;
- Promotes engagement of internal stakeholders via social media recognition of KDH roles/departments.

**C