MediCinema Manager

MediCinema Manager

Reports to:        National Cinema Manager

Manages:           Deputy Manager, nurses and volunteers

Location:            Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle

Terms:                35 hours per week (5 days)

Benefits:             27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays + 5% employer pension contribution

About MediCinema

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, in 2023 we introduced new 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. Through our long-standing strategic partnership with Disney, we also design and provide activities on wards and in the MediCinemas as part of our ‘Moments that Matter’ (MTM) programme.

The Role

We are looking for a Cinema Manager to build and run our Newcastle MediCinema, supporting patients in the Great North Children’s Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The post-holder will work closely with the part-time Deputy Cinema Manager (with additional support from our north-east Senior 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 will run four regular inpatient screenings each week, which are mainly evenings and weekends. There will also be a programme of additional Tailored and Personal screenings on top of these four regular inpatient screenings.

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 delivery of our service. Based at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary the role is responsible for all operational aspects of the service. This includes ensuring screenings happen on schedule and as planned, recruiting and managing volunteers and nurses, and developing links with hospital staff to ensure the service is widely advertised and utilised.

The position would be part of the larger cinema managers team (all of whom operate remotely at various hospital sites) and report to the National Cinema Manager who is based in our central office in London. This position would suit someone who is self-motivated, wants a varied and interesting role and has an interest in film, healthcare and helping to improve people’s wellbeing.

MediCinema is a small team and staff members are expected to support each other and share cross-organisational work in addition to fulfilling individual responsibilities.

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 a good 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. Please note full training on ingesting films and running the projection equipment will be provided so direct projection experience, while beneficial, is not required.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to caringly and openly relate to and build relationships with a wide variety of people, from children, family members, volunteers and centre staff.
• 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 and be aware of issues relating to confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Interest 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.

How to Apply

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.

·       Closing date for applications: Midday, 2nd December 2024

·       Online initial interviews: w/c 9th December 2024

·       In person second-round interviews: 16th & 17th December 2024

MediCinema are an equal opportunities employer and an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer.