Job Title: Communications Specialist – Health Services Research and Quality Improvement Team, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System

Organization Overview: The Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) is a dynamic and innovative community of research professionals dedicated to advancing coordinated, patient-centered health care for all Veterans through research and quality improvement. CHOIR conducts health service studies across a wide range of topics, including the implementation and use of health information technology, and is designated as a Health Services Research & Development (VA HSR&D) Center of Innovation (COIN) for the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information, please visit our website Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research Home (va.gov)

Position Description: We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Communications Specialist to join our team and play a key role in promoting the mission of our partnered quality improvement initiatives. As a Communications Specialist on our multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for crafting and disseminating compelling content and messaging that communicate the impact of our quality improvement, partnered evaluation initiatives. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and execute communication strategies that engage internal and external stakeholders, drive awareness, and support the overall mission of our projects focused on understanding and improving electronic health record modernization (EHRM) at VA, a major organizational transformation with profound implications for patient care quality and clinician satisfaction. The goal of our work is to develop mechanisms that rapidly integrate findings and lessons to inform EHRM improvements within VA and beyond.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies to effectively convey research findings, quality improvement initiatives, and organizational updates. Determine the appropriate timing and channels of communication.
Use different types of communication suitable for various audiences.
Create and edit content for various communication channels, including press releases, articles, blog posts, and social media posts.
Use social media to generate impact – Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, blogs, websites.
Collaborate with researchers and subject matter experts to distill complex information into clear and accessible content for diverse audiences.
Manage and maintain the organization's website, ensuring content is up-to-date, visually appealing, and aligned with brand messaging.
Act as a liaison between the project and local or national stakeholders; cultivate relationships and maintain regular engagement with partners and other interested parties.
Monitor and analyze communication metrics to measure the effectiveness of team products and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.
Organize and support the planning of in-person and virtual events, conferences, and webinars to showcase research findings and engage with stakeholders.
Monitor media landscapes and congressional hearings to stay abreast of coverage and legislative discussions.
Manage and track our portfolio of deliverables including reports, presentations, and publications.
Disseminating and delivering research findings at various project milestones. Deliver early impacts or ‘quick wins’ to build interest and enthusiasm for longer term impacts.

· Develop evidence briefs, toolkits/guides, and other informational resources summarizing research topics and findings.

Act as a knowledge broker, facilitating information exchange between diverse stakeholders and developing relationships and networks between knowledge producers/researchers and knowledge users.
Create engaging content for various platforms and audiences…
Design team webpage or dashboard for products and publications
Draft content for social media
Design templates for evidence briefs and poster presentations
Develop infographics or visual representations of key messages and findings
Proofread and edit various forms of communication including…
Written products: journal articles, internal reports and presentations, conference abstracts, posters
Oral presentations for conferences or symposium
Workshops and seminars
Digital and social media platforms
Videos and podcasts
Project website
Project Newsletter

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Health, Social Sciences, or another related field.
Prior experience in a communications role, preferably in research, academic, scientific, or healthcare setting. Alternatively, experience in communications strategy development.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
Experience with scientific writing and report generation.
Proficiency in content creation and editing, including experience with graphic design tools and content management systems.
Familiarity with social media platforms and demonstrated ability to leverage them to generate impact.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of research methodologies and the ability to translate complex scientific information for a lay audience is a plus.
Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
Meticulous attention to detail coupled with a strategic and creative mindset.
A portfolio of work available for review.

If you are passionate about effective communication, have a knack for translating complex concepts into compelling stories, and are excited about contributing to meaningful research and quality improvement initiatives, we encourage you to apply.

Please note: As per the criteria of USAJobs, you must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this federal government job. Due to the nature of research and quality improvement funding, staff positions are designated as term/temporary appointments with a duration between 1 to 3 years. Most term appointments are subject to renewal based on continued funding or extended following internal transitions to other projects.

The communications specialist would function at the GS-9 or GS-11 level, a starting salary of roughly $67,743 to $81,963 (2024 rates for Boston area, dependent on applicant locality). Additional advantages of the position include a culture that encourages work-life balance and access to benefits associated with federal employment (e.g., health insurance, life insurance, tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan).

CHOIR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We recognize and value the power of a diverse community and strongly welcome applications from individuals with varied lived experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected category.

Conditions of Employment:

*You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

*Subject to a background/security investigation

*Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

*Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

*Participation in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Schedule:

8-hour shift

Monday to Friday

Starting Pay Range: $67,743 to $81,963

To apply, please send a brief cover letter and CV/resume to Brianne Molloy-Paolillo at Brianne.MolloyPaolillo@va.gov.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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Communications Specialist