Rural Health Reporter

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rural Health Reporter Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Job Type: Non-exempt, full-time, in-office position Rural health across America is in crisis, and few places face greater challenges than Arkansas, where 63 of 75 counties are considered fully rural. Fueled by deep poverty, health woes across rural Arkansas include high rates of infant mortality, chronic disease and obesity. The system is ill-equipped to help. People commonly travel 30 miles for care. Nearly 70% of the state’s 47 rural hospitals are considered vulnerable to closure and as many as 30 regularly lose money. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is seeking a rural health reporter to join a three-person health team ( Health Beat Lab Editor and  Maternal & Child Health Reporter ) to deliver data-driven journalism and people-centered storytelling through a public health, accountability and community-impact lens. This work will enhance understanding and increase accountability for those who make the critical decisions affecting the lives of families. We’re looking for a journalist with the smarts and savvy to wade through the bureaucratic jargon and sea of statistics that dominate health and science to paint a clear picture of what the numbers show. We want the human stories that show us what the numbers mean. And we want the insights of the providers on rural health’s front lines. This job will require a unique combination of traits — the ability to learn, understand and translate data; the development of knowledge and insight so that we can gain perspective from those inside the system; and the application of human empathy and reportorial and writing skill to capture the stories of the people of rural Arkansas. If you know the topic or are ready to devote yourself to mastering it, if you are curious and compassionate, if you are equally adept at digging into data and talking to people in far-flung rural communities; if you are ready to deliver numbers-supported, people-centered storytelling, we want to hear from you. Responsibilities

• Become an expert in rural health across both the United States and Arkansas
• Develop a wide range of sources both inside and outside the system across rural Arkansas
• Find stories that capture the essence of the issues in Arkansas’ rural health system
• Scour relevant data and public records to deliver critical context and substance
• Meet regularly with key sources on your beat so that you always know the direction of rural health in Arkansas
• Generate a high volume of deliverable ideas
• Produce a regular cycle of hard-news, enterprise and investigative reporting that brings insight to our readers
• Excel at human-centered storytelling that puts faces to the numbers you find
• Write tight prose that enhances understanding
• Show us the big picture of health in rural Arkansas
• Contribute to newsletters, social media, video or other multimedia storytelling as needed
• Meet the highest possible standards for journalism, accountability reporting, writing, storytelling and multimedia presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field required
• A proven track record of impactful rural health reporting
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and contextualize data and research
• Understanding of healthcare systems and public health issues
• Knowledge of disparities affecting rural, low-income and historically underserved communities
• Collaborative mindset and strong audience awareness

About Arkansas Health Beat This position is among the first being filled as part of Arkansas Health Beat, a new statewide health reporting lab. Arkansas Health Beat will produce impactful, community-centered journalism focused on healthcare access, public health, accountability and the systems shaping the wellbeing of Arkansans. The rural health reporter will be part of a three-person team devoted to serious, impactful reporting on the issues affecting the wellbeing of people across Arkansas. The other positions for which we are hiring include an editor and a reporter covering maternal health and child care. We offer a complete benefits package that includes paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, personal days, and parental leave. Take advantage of extensive health, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage, as well as long-term disability and retirement plans for your future well-being. We support your well-being through the Employee Assistance Program and Behavioral Health support, offering extra help whenever you need it. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, disability, age 40 or older, or genetic information, including family medical history or any other legally protected class or status. This is a safety-sensitive position. A candidate must pass a drug screening and background checks and have a driving record that meets requirements set in the “Personal Vehicle Used for Company Business” policy.