Columbus Dispatch seeks a business of health care reporter

The Columbus Dispatch / dispatch.com , located in the fastest-growing city in the Midwest and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK , is seeking an aggressive, digitally savvy medical and business of health care reporter. This beat will focus on trending health and wellness topics, such as flu and COVID, politically sensitive issues such as abortion and transgender care, and accountability stories about the area’s multibillion health care systems including disparities in access to care, costs and quality of services to patients.

This beat will require sharp news judgment and the ability to quickly turn stories that will resonate with readers and grow our audience. The ideal candidate will be skilled at source development, database reporting, and the use of public records. They should demonstrate a strong understanding of audience metrics, social media, and search engine optimization. We also look for journalists who have deep curiosity, a sense of justice/purpose, passion, and compassion.

The ideal candidate is passionate about serving audiences, breaking news and pushing harder to write revelatory enterprise on the disconnect between good intentions of health care policy and the real effects it has on the lives of citizens.

This reporter will focus on work in real time, serving audiences with details they need to know and can’t get anywhere else. This is accountability journalism in a service capacity, answering questions and giving readers the knowledge they need to react to the news or interpret events.

Strong data skills and using online audience analytics are a must. The successful candidate should expect to work on quick-turn trending and enterprise stories as well as long-term, detailed projects that inspire change and improve lives.

Responsibilities

• Write regularly off breaking and enterprise news, while balancing monthly and quarterly enterprise projects.
• Provide clear analysis of complex issues.
• Monitor audience needs and expectations
• Connect with the community through storytelling, building trust and loyalty.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least five years of reporting experience.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• High-level writing, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong communication skills and news judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Instagram and Reddit, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Strong data analysis skills, strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and AP style knowledge.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen, motor vehicle record check and background check.

About

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

To apply, go here.