About this role
Job summary
Recruitment is now underway foraHead of Communications and Engagementrole withinHealthset, our joint programme to deliver a single shared electronic health record (EHR) across Dorset and Somerset, powered by Epic. This once in a generation programme will transform how care is delivered and information is recorded,sharedand accessed, enabling colleagues to spend less time working around systems and more time caring.
The contract with Epic was signed in March, and we are expecting the new EHR to golive in April 2028. Successful delivery must be genuinely clinically and operationally led, supported by theexpertiseof our digital teams.
Our teams deliver safe, compassionate care every day, but we still rely on multiple systems, separaterecordsand paper processes. This can mean patients repeating their story and colleagues spending valuable time duplicating work or managing gaps in information. For our digital teams, this means managing multiple systems and data sources to support users to deliver services.Healthsetis our shared response. By introducing one EHR across our organisations, we will support more joined up working, saferdecision-makingand better use of information, freeing up more time for care.
Main duties of the job
We want you!
At itspeaktheHealthsetteam will include overthree hundredpeopleandHealthsetis a ten-year programme.Rolesrequiredonly during theinitialtwo-yearimplementation phase will be filled through secondments, fixedtermcontractsor external contractors. All other roles will be permanent posts.We are committed toequitableaccess to these opportunities and will considerpart-timeworking and reasonable adjustments whererequired.
TheHealthSetHead of Communications and Engagementwillhave an integral rolein the success of theHealthsetEHRProgramme,developing and implementing a comprehensive Communications and Engagementstrategy to support theHealthsetProgramme.The Head of Communications and Engagementwillworkclosely withCommunications TeamsandtheHealthsetProgrammeLeadership Teamprovidingexpertadviceand solutions forall Communications and Engagement activitiesrequiredto support the delivery ofthis transformational programme.
About us
Healthset is our shared response. By introducing one EHR across our organisations, we will support more joined-up working, safer decision-making and better use of information, freeing up more time for care.
This ambitious programme will fundamentally change how health and care is delivered across Dorset and Somerset in a way that is clinically and financially sustainable. We will be guided by doing the right thing for our patients, carers, people and communities, while creating a working environment that better supports our colleagues.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information about the role, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
You will be a good fit if you:
Havesignificantexperienceofdeveloping and implementing Communications and Engagement strategies Have significant knowledge ofthe variety of Communications and Engagement techniquesrequired to deliver transformational change. Be an exertCommunications and Engagementprofessional withcredibility in your area. Can write and developinspiringCommunications and Engagement materialsto support multiple organisations through this significantperiod of change Enjoy working collaboratively across teams and organisations. Want to help shape how care is delivered in the future. If interested in these roles then pleasesubmityour application via Tracas soon as possible.
A supported process
We are encouraginginterested individualsto applyassoonas possible,with the closing date for applications 11.59pm onTuesday2ndJune 2026.
Please note, the volume of applications received will be reviewed periodically throughout and we may decide to close the vacancy early shoulda sufficient number ofapplications be received. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the roles and/or the process, please email [email protected].
We look forward to receiving yourapplication.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Please refer to the job description and person specification
Specific skills Essential
Please refer to the job description and person specification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dorset County Hospital, Dorset Healthcare, Somerset Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Dorset
Dorset/Somerset
BH15 2JB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)