Alder Hey MediCinema Manager in Liverpool

MediCinema is a unique national, UK registered charity that improves the wellbeing and enriches the quality of life of NHS patients, their families and carers through the power of the shared cinema experience and the magic of film. We achieve this by building and running cinemas in hospitals and places of care equipped with space for beds, wheelchairs and medical equipment, and providing free films and activities for patients of all ages. Our services help to improve emotional, mental and physical health, reducing isolation, anxiety and stress, and increasing patient resilience to help them cope with what they’re going through.

Our purpose-built in-hospital cinemas are designed to accommodate patients in hospital beds and wheelchairs, on drips or with monitors. Patients are looked after by trained volunteers who accompany them to and from the cinemas, and by two nurses who are present at each inpatient screening. In addition to our regular inpatient screenings, we run Tailored Screenings for specific patient communities, working closely with the patients and clinical teams to co-design experiences that meet the specific needs of each group. We also routinely hold personal screenings for patients who are unable to mix with other patients, are receiving palliative care or are in other sensitive situations. We also run our varied Beyond the Big Screen programme that extends the impact of our services to outside the film screenings, including specially-designed MediCinema activity books, arts & crafts and special character or talent visits. Finally, through our long-standing strategic partnership with Disney, we also design and provide activities on wards and in the MediCinemas as part of our expansive and impactful ‘Moments that Matter’ (MTM) programme.

The Role

We are looking for a Cinema Manager to build and run our service based in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The post-holder will work closely with the part-time Deputy Cinema Manager, their team of nurses and volunteers, the hospital, and with central office operations team to prepare for and run successful film screenings each week. We run a minimum of four regular inpatient screenings each week, including evenings and weekends. The role offers a unique, exciting and extremely rewarding opportunity for someone interested in a service delivery role at the heart of our charity, involving direct contact with the patients and families we support.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• The role of the Cinema Manager is essential to ensure the effective and safe delivery of our service.
• The Cinema Manager is responsible for all operational aspects of the service, including ensuring screenings happen on schedule and as planned, recruiting and managing volunteers and nurses, and developing relationships with a variety of hospital staff and departments.
• Deliver a programme of screenings each week as agreed according to the operating procedures of a MediCinema, including running and managing screenings on your own.
• Be responsible for marketing the service throughout the hospital, organising collecting and returning patients, and for safety and care in the cinema itself.
• Taking responsibility for health and safety of patients coming to the cinema, and the safety and appearance of the cinema space itself.
• Preparing and operating the digital projection equipment for the screening, ensuring that films are screened to the highest technical standards at all times.
• Ensuring that all operational, welfare and safeguarding policies set out by MediCinema are followed accordingly.
• Keeping accurate monitoring and operational records, including contacts and database updating as required.
• Support with arranging and running any special events and special screenings.
• Manage the local development and roll out of different Tailored Screening patient groups.
• Support the delivery of our ‘Beyond the Big Screen’ bedside services.
• Line management of the Deputy Cinema Manager.

Nurse & Volunteer Management

• Build, manage and support the team of nurses and volunteers to assist in the duties outlined above.
• Work closely with Voluntary Services Department of the hospital about all the checks and training required for volunteers.

Marketing and Relationship Management

• Be proactive in marketing the service within the hospital, and building key relationships with hospital staff and our partner Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
• Develop and manage effective partnerships throughout the hospital and community.

Administration and other duties

• Provide holiday or emergency screening cover when required.
• Manage the collection, loading and returning of films.
• Champion the work of MediCinema within the hospital and cinema environment.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Alder Hey MediCinema, operations and MediCinema as a wider organisation.
• Communicate effectively with all team members, ensuring an inclusive and whole organisation approach.
• Undertake other tasks, projects and duties as reasonably required.

The Person

We are looking for a high energy, enthusiastic, self-motivated individual who is passionate about helping people and delivering impactful and effective services. They should be a warm, welcoming and positive person who can demonstrate the following skills and qualities:

• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• A proactive, resourceful, problem-solving approach.
• An ability to work both on their own and as part of a team.
• Experience in using IT and an ability to quickly learn and understand new systems and technology.
• Prior people management responsibility.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to caringly and openly relate to and build relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Flexibility and adaptability, and enjoyment of a working environment where no two days are the same.
• Demonstrate tact and sensitivity when dealing with people with a variety of needs.
• Interest and evidence of prior experience in healthcare, wellbeing and/or film & cinema.
• A sense of humour and congenial demeanour to help patients and families feel at ease and enjoy their MediCinema experience.

Please note the role will require an Enhanced DBS check, which we will arrange. If you have a passion for health, wellbeing, film and the arts, and are a driven, highly-organised, compassionate and enthusiastic individual, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter telling us what appeals to you about this role and what makes you a strong candidate (no longer than one side of A4). Please note applications will be anonymised.