Writer and Author - Print Journalism

Requisition ID

2026-4749

Job Summary

Artemis is seeking a full-time Writer and Author (Print Journalism) to capture and share the powerful stories of innovation, compassion, and service that define the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), the nation's premier military medical center. This role requires an inquisitive and skilled journalist who can manage editorial projects from concept to publication, creating rich, long-form content for print and digital platforms, and who brings the project management acumen to drive a proactive news-gathering operation in support of the Public Affairs Office (PAO).

The Writer and Author (Print Journalism) role requires a self-starter, proactive problem solver and action-oriented team player with previous experience in journalism, professional writing, or public affairs within a federal, military, or healthcare environment.

This position needs an individual that is committed to providing superior service, poised under pressure and has a positive and flexible attitude.

This is a contingent hire position.Offers will be contingent upon client approval and the ability to meet security requirements.

Onsite work in Bethesda, Maryland, is required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a strategic editorial calendar for all print and long-form digital publications, serving as project lead for feature stories from initial pitch and research through interviews, writing, photo/video coordination, layout, and final publication.
• Proactively identify and develop story ideas that align with strategic communication objectives, focusing on clinical advancements, groundbreaking research, patient success stories, and staff achievements; generate 2–3 editorial ideas per month and refine them with the lead PAO.
• Conduct thorough, sensitive, and insightful interviews with medical staff, patients, families, and subject matter experts (SMEs), applying HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI) safeguarding principles, especially when interviewing patients.
• Schedule interviews with SMEs, working closely with other PAO offices with approval from the Government Lead.
• Develop news pegs, angles, and balanced articles from multiple sources — including military and civilian staff, patients, and visitors — for news releases, feature stories, and special publications.
• Write, rewrite, and edit copy in Associated Press (AP) Style, using active sentences, traditional leads, bridges, transitions, and news format.
• Work in tandem with photographers, videographers, and graphic designers to produce cohesive, impactful multimedia story packages.
• Craft messaging for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring consistency with organizational goals, and develop speeches and briefings that communicate key themes and messages to a wide range of audiences.
• Cultivate relationships with internal SMEs to ensure a steady flow of story leads, and with external media contacts to pitch and place stories when appropriate.
• Take media queries, coordinate and moderate press interviews, and arrange media visits; assist visitors and callers (an average of 10 callers per day) and support an average of 4 Distinguished Visitor (DV) visits per month.
• Update the website and social media sites several times a day, deliver weekly or as-needed social media posts, and coordinate on public website content to support Military Health System (MHS)/Defense Health Agency (DHA) communication objectives.
• Compile weekly external communication reports and distribute an average of 2 communications reports weekly; submit products to the PAO for review prior to posting on the website and/or intranet.
• Monitor media coverage and provide analysis on the effectiveness of public affairs campaigns.
• Plan and execute events such as press conferences, media briefings, and community engagement activities, and support leadership with crisis communication strategies and plans.
• Formulate strategies for major issues and coordinate message and theme development for the Market office executed through the military treatment facilities (MTFs), providing strategic counsel to senior leaders of the Market and its MTFs.
• Meet daily and weekly deadlines and ad hoc suspenses to support the mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or a related field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in journalism or professional writing.
• Portfolio of published articles demonstrating exceptional skills in interviewing, narrative storytelling, and long-form writing is required.
• Proven experience in healthcare communications, Military public affairs, or a similar regulated, high-visibility environment.
• Thorough understanding of and ability to rigorously apply the principles of safeguarding HIPAA and PHI, especially when interviewing patients.
• Excellent project management skills, with proven ability to manage an editorial calendar, develop content strategies, and see multiple stories through to completion simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build rapport and trust with interview subjects from all walks of life, including patients, families, senior leaders, and world-renowned medical experts.
• Strong command of Associated Press (AP) Style.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance (Tier II, non-critical sensitive position).
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong critical thinking, analytical and time management skills.
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize and work well with others.
• Ability to communicate thoughts, ideas and solutions logically both written and orally.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to receive feedback from clients and implement changes quickly and effectively.
• Ability to get up to speed quickly on complex issues.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.

Physical Requirements

Pending - recruiter to confirm physical requirements.