Health Care Reporter

We’re looking for an ambitious reporter to cover health care, emphasizing consumer advocacy and disparities in access. We also want to give that reporter the freedom to identify and pursue health stories they’re passionate about in Wichita.

The work will often look at national trends in the health care industry and reveal how they’re playing out in our community. We’ll look to this reporter to explain systemic problems and help guide our audience through the confusing way the U.S. devotes nearly a fifth of its economy to health care and how it rations those services.

We’ll want you to understand local and state health policies and whether they respond adequately to the needs of a diverse place like Wichita and evaluate how much geography equals destiny in Kansas's health outcomes. 

We rarely cover daily news at The Beacon, so this reporter will have the time to dig deeply into stories, producing four stories of 800-2,000 words each a month.

We want a curious reporter who sees journalism as a public service. They also need to bring a track record of strong reporting and vibrant writing.

We want someone who can thrive on this beat with stories that come with explanation and discovery.

Before any job interview, we’ll supply you with the questions ahead of time. Mostly, we’ll want to hear how you’d attack this beat. So come with a plan. 

Responsibilities

• Stays on top of trends on the health care beat. 
• Develops sources and their own expertise on health-related topics.
• Identifies, researches, pitches, writes, and reports stories on a level of sophistication that matches metropolitan newspapers.
• Builds expertise on consumer health care stories that arm our readers in navigating the medical care industry.
• Tracks source demographics.
• Reports and writes long-form and shorter-turn stories about local and regional health issues with close attention to policies and legislation, health outcomes, patient experience, industry behavior, and advocacy positions.
• Finds and analyzes health data to uncover hidden developments.
• Engages with readers and participates in radio shows, public events, and live video.
• Uses sources, story ideas, research, and writing that reflects Wichita’s diversity and the difference in health experience for many communities.

Preferred qualifications:

If you don’t check all the boxes, but think you’d crush this job, apply anyway. We know that building a diverse staff is important, and being flexible on requirements is part of that:

• Powerful writing skills, proven news judgment, and a strong commitment to journalistic ethics.
• A desire to diversify the sources in your reporting to cover a wide range of demographics and philosophical outlooks.
• Experience covering health care
• A record of writing stories with impact, clarity, and thoughtful skepticism.
• A demonstrated ability to identify and pursue stories on your own combined with a willingness to take direction on the framing of stories and the editing of your copy.
• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for independent, nonprofit news media and collaboration with other outlets.
• A passion for community journalism.
• Familiarity with data sets and records.
• Knowledge of Wichita and Kansas.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language besides English.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field. Five years of experience is preferred, but we’re flexible.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $50,000 to $70,000 a year, depending on experience and reporting portfolio.
• Health Coverage: 100% of employee health, vision, and dental premiums covered; a portion of dependent premiums covered.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Includes ten holidays, three personal days and progressive PTO accrual starting at three weeks per year, increasing with tenure.
• Remote Work: Work from home, occasional in-person meetings required (must reside in the Wichita area).
• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave policy in effect.
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: Up to $50 per month.
• Life Insurance: $50,000 employer-paid policy; supplemental insurance available.
• Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid long and short-term disability.

The organization

The Beacon cultivates engaged and informed communities through accessible reporting and active community engagement on crucial local subjects, anchored by a sustainable nonprofit revenue model.

Our core values

Truth
Unwavering honesty and accuracy in all our reporting.

Inclusivity
Championing diverse voices and perspectives.

Transparency
Openness about our reporting and funding.

Equity
Addressing systemic imbalances that affect us locally. 

Apply

To ensure your application receives full consideration, please submit it by June 17. We will continue to review applications until the position is filled

To apply send your resume and cover letter to hr@thebeacon.media.

If you have any questions, email mcarter@thebeacon.media.