This purpose of this position is to develop and execute the media relations/public relations plan and strategies for HIMSS' Government Relations activities and provides PR counsel to staff as needed. This position also develops a wide variety of content to meet the Government Relations staffs' needs such as e-newsletters, speeches, informational documents, letters to Congress and the administration, and other communications related to public policy initiatives. This position updates and maintains the Advocacy Web site content and works with the Web Services team to make design and navigation changes as appropriate.
Primary Accountabilities:
Develop and execute a media relations strategy for HIMSS' advocacy and public policy initiatives in Washington, D.C.; coordinate with HIMSS central office as appropriate. Serve as primary contact with the media regarding public policy issues; write press releases and media alerts; answer reporters' questions and schedule interviews with management staff, content experts and board members; establish contacts with key business and trade press to build strategic and ongoing relationships; and identify and educate journalists on healthcare IT issues. Provide PR counsel to Government Relations staff as needed.
Develop editorial calendar and write and edit all content for the assigned e-newsletters, in particular, the HIMSS Pulse on Public Policy and HIELights.
Develop and write content for the Advocacy Web site; conduct regular reviews of the Advocacy Web site and ensure that content is kept current. Assist Web Services in making design and navigation changes to the Web site to best serve Web site visitors.
Develop and execute public relations plans for Government Relations events such as Advocacy Day and the Public Policy Forum; develop content such as the Advocacy News for those events, and prepare fact sheets and other appropriate Government Relations materials for the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition. Arrange for photography services at appropriate Government Relations events. Assist with the development and execution of National Health IT Week.
Prepare briefing materials and 'leave behinds' for visits by HIMSS senior staff, board members and industry executives and experts to Washington, D.C., to help educate and influence members of Congress, Congressional staffers and federal government officials on the value of health information technology. Edit or write policy-related white papers and briefing papers and testimony as needed.
Write and edit correspondence to the White House, Congress and other government officials. Write and edit all Government Relations program scripts. Develop and update the State Advocacy Day Manual and develop the National Advocacy Day manual. Help prepare presentations for board meetings and Advocacy events.
Provide PR and media relations counsel to Government Relations team and HIMSS management. Help conduct media training for appropriate management and staff.
Provide regular reports of activities to VP, Communications; coordinate media activities with the Senior Manager, Corporate Communications.
Work in close collaboration with VP, Government Relations, and Government Relations department on assigned duties.
Assist with the development of the annual media relations budget.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned that contribute to the effectiveness of the department.
Requirements
Bachelors degree in communications, journalism or English, or equivalent experience.
Minimum of five years of related work experience.
Exceptional writing and editing skills.
Excellent knowledge of federal government and intergovernmental relationships.
Outstanding interpersonal skills. Strong personal integrity.
Customer focused with energetic assertive, self-confident personality.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships.
Knowledge of healthcare and/or information technology preferred.
Previous experience in a professional society, trade association or healthcare management preferred.
HIMSS is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., and other locations across the country, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 300 corporate members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care. HIMSS offers a competitive total compensation and benefits program including health, life and a tuition reimbursement program.
Sorry, HIMSS does not reimburse candidates for relocation or interview expenses nor does it sponsor foreign nationals.
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