Biological photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Biological photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Biological photographer key duties/responsibilities, Biological photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Biological photographer duties:

         1.            Recognizes which UCM stories or news should be pitched to media sources.

         2.            Writes engaging stories that can be used for UCM’s publications and website that, in turn, can be used for news pitches. Includes video and photos as appropriate.

         3.            Widens UCM’s exposure and reputation by targeting new or nonconventional media outlets — including magazines, digital publications and blogs. Builds and maintains sources at UCM and continually finds ways to develop fresh media relationships.

         4.            Effectively and efficiently deals with breaking news to place UCM scientists and physicians as expert commentators in media stories.

         5.            Works with the marketing, internal communications and referral development teams to produce strategic plans around key programs.

         6.            Measures the impact of media coverage germane to assigned beats.

         7.            Helps build community interaction using social media through posts that highlight the institution’s clinical, science and teaching programs or studies.

         8.            Upholds UCM’s editorial, ethical and work standards and supports efforts to improve the patient experience and employee engagement.

         9.            Performs related duties as required or assigned.

II. List of Biological photographer qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism or science. Advanced degree is preferred.
2. Thorough understanding of technical and scientific content with a minimum of 3 years of sciencewriting experience.
3. Proficiency in the written language (grammar, spelling, punctuation, audience sensitivity, language usage, AP style).
4. A strong track record of placing stories in media outlets using newsgathering and storytelling skills across various media platforms. Requires a very high level of reporting and writing skills.
5. A skilled communicator and team player who can work collaboratively and collegially with others. Confidence in communicating with patients, senior administration and faculty is needed.
6. Deadlinedriven professional with the ability to multitask under pressure and meet goals.
7. An understanding of the attitudes and concerns of the community, consumer, employee, public interest groups and media outlets.
8. Awareness of health care industry trends, hospital competition and the marketplace.
9. Experience with photo, video and/or audio (e.g., podcasting) production preferred.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.