Communications & Media Relations Specialist - Carondelet Health Network - Onsite based in Tucson, AZ

Job Summary

We're seeking a strategic, creative Communications and Media Relations Specialist who is passionate about telling meaningful healthcare stories that strengthen the reputation of Carondelet Health Network hospitals and physicians.

Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Specialist will drive proactive earned media, identify compelling patient and caregiver stories, elevate physician expertise, support executive thought leadership, and protect the organization's reputation through strategic communications.

This role partners closely with hospital leadership, physicians, marketing, service line leaders, and community stakeholders to position the health network as the trusted healthcare leader in the region.

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to generate positive media coverage, increase share of voice, build relationships with local media, and develop stories that enhance the organization's brand and mission.

This is an on-site, hospital-based position. This position is standard business hours with occasional evening or weekend work for media events or breaking news.

Responsibilities

Earned Media & Public Relations (Primary Focus)

• Develop and execute proactive earned media strategies that increase positive local, regional, and industry media coverage.
• Identify newsworthy patients, physicians, clinical innovation, community impact, and human-interest stories.
• Identify patient success stories while ensuring HIPAA compliance and obtaining appropriate patient authorizations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media.
• Draft compelling press releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, fact sheets and media advisories.
• Coordinate media interviews, on-site media events, and press conferences.
• Monitor news trends, especially key competitors, to identify rapid response and newsjacking opportunities.
• Track media coverage, sentiment, share of voice, and message penetration while recommending strategies for improvement.
• Develop relationships with physician subject matter experts and maintain a roster for rapid media response.
• Partner with the marketing team and lead execution of hospital & physician events.
• Partner with digital and social teams to amplify earned media through owned channels.
• Report on media coverage in real-time
• Measure campaign performance and provide quarterly insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Key KPI's:
• Secure 2-4 positive earned media placements per month
• Develop 2-4 proactive story pitches each month featuring physicians, patients, clinical innovation, or community impact.

Executive & Physician Visibility

• Develop thought leadership opportunities for hospital executives and physician leaders.
• Prepare executives and physicians with messaging, media preparation, and talking points.
• Showcase physician expertise during awareness months, seasonal healthcare topics, and breaking health news.

Reputation Management

• Support proactive reputation-building initiatives that strengthen community trust.
• Partner with marketing and leadership to communicate organizational milestones, service line growth, awards, quality achievements, and patient outcomes.
• Assist with communications during issues management and crisis situations, ensuring timely and consistent messaging.
• Monitor emerging issues that could impact organizational reputation.

Strategic Communications

• Develop communication plans supporting key organizational initiatives.

• Produce engaging content across multiple platforms including:

• Press releases

• Executive communications

• Website stories

• Social media content

• Patient success stories

• Physician profiles

• Community impact stories

• Ensure messaging aligns with brand standards and organizational priorities.

• Partner closely with:

• Hospital CEOs

• Service line leaders

• Physician Relations

• Marketing

• Clinical leaders

• Community outreach

• Support major hospital announcements, events, service

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with:

• Hospital CEOs

• Service line leaders

• Physician Relations

• Marketing

• Clinical leaders

• Community outreach

• Support major hospital announcements, events, service launches and community initiatives through integrated communications plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• 2-5 years of communications, public relations, media relations, or corporate communications experience, preferably within healthcare or another highly regulated industry.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and research skills.
• Demonstrated success securing earned media coverage and developing strategies.
• Outstanding storytelling, writing, editing, and interviewing skills.
• Experience building relationships with media.
• Knowledge of healthcare communications, HIPAA considerations, and healthcare news trends preferred.
• Proficiency with media monitoring, PR measurement, and social listening platforms
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Strong team player with a proactive mindset and a commitment to excellence.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend work during media events or breaking news.
• Must be able to travel locally between Carondelet St. Joseph and St. Mary Hospitals. Possible travel to Holy Cross in Nogales once or twice per year as needed. Selected candidate will be required to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check.

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