Journalist-in-Residence

Date Posted	July 02, 2026
Industry	Nonprofit
Specialty	Health/Science
Remote / Telecommute	Telecommute
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	80,000

Description:

________________________________________________

Now Hiring: Journalist-in-Residence

Start Date: Negotiable, but ideally before August 2026

Salary: $80,000, plus comprehensive benefits (see below)

Location: Remote with some domestic travel

Overview

The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) / Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism is seeking a full-time Journalist-in-Residence to serve as both a working reporter and a trusted editorial coach for health journalists nationwide.

This is a new, high-impact role that expands AHCJ’s editorial strategy in an increasingly volatile health information climate. The Journalist-in-Residence will produce timely, authoritative reporting for AHCJ’s member community while also piloting a Health Editor Help Desk — providing direct editorial guidance to reporters who lack access to experienced health editors.

This position strengthens health journalism at two levels: public-facing reporting and analysis that helps journalists sharpen their coverage, and one-on-one editorial support that strengthens individual reporters and newsrooms.

The Journalist-in-Residence will move across beats — from federal policy shifts to emerging public health threats — producing reporting, tip sheets and analysis while also holding regular office hours for consultations with AHCJ members.

This is a one-year position funded through July 2027, with the possibility of renewal. 

This position requires the employee to be based in the United States. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Form I-9 employment eligibility verification. AHCJ is unable to sponsor employment visas now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Who We Are

AHCJ is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public understanding of health care issues through excellent health care journalism. Our mission is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting on all platforms.

The Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism is a supporting 501(c)(3) for AHCJ, and works to ensure journalists are properly trained to cover news events, trends and issues in all aspects of health care journalism.

We value and celebrate diversity and strive to build an inclusive work environment and health journalism community. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

About the Health Editor Help Desk

As newsroom resources shrink, many journalists — especially freelancers and early-career reporters — lack access to experienced health editors. AHCJ's Health Editor Help Desk aims to fill that gap through consultations focused on story framing, sourcing, investigations, data interpretation, ethics and health policy coverage.

Through scheduled office hours and consultations, the Journalist-in-Residence will provide editorial guidance to AHCJ members, including:

• Freelance journalists without regular access to editors

• Early-career journalists seeking coaching or beat development

• Reporters whose assigning editors lack health expertise

• Journalists working in fast-paced newsrooms where editors have limited time for coaching

• Fellows completing reporting projects with support from AHCJ

Key Responsibilities

Reporting & Editorial Leadership

• Write deadline-driven and enterprising content for Health Beat, AHCJ’s member-facing news hub, which reaches more than 700,000 active users and surpassed one million page views in 2025.

• Produce quick-turn analysis and contextual reporting on breaking health and health policy developments as assigned.

• Organize and moderate webinars with subject-matter experts.

• Generate ideas for and moderate sessions at AHCJ training events, including the annual conference.

• Collaborate with AHCJ staff to help shape timely editorial priorities.

Health Editor Help Desk

• Hold regularly scheduled virtual office hours for reporter consultations.

• Provide story development feedback and beat strategy guidance.

• Advise on sourcing, investigative approaches, records requests and data interpretation.

• Help journalists navigate federal and state health policy changes.

• Offer ethical guidance related to covering vulnerable populations and complex medical topics.

• Identify recurring gaps or trends in member needs and share those with the AHCJ team to help us develop broader training resources in response.

• Maintain appropriate boundaries: This role supports journalists but does not serve as assigning editor or newsroom decision-maker.

Organizational Work

• Participate in editorial pitching and planning.

• Work cross-functionally with the AHCJ team to identify training needs.

Our Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for a seasoned health journalist or editor with at least 10 years of experience who is passionate about mentoring fellow journalists and strengthening the future of health journalism. 

Required

• At least 10 years of professional journalism experience.

• Significant experience covering health, health policy, public health or health care.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

• Experience coaching, editing or mentoring reporters.

• Strong commitment to journalistic ethics and accuracy.

Preferred

• Experience moderating webinars or public discussions.

• Familiarity with WordPress, SEO and audience development.

• Experience using Slack, Google Workspace, Airtable or Asana.

How Weʼll Support You

Compensation & Benefits

• This position has been approved for a $75,000 annual salary, which is non-negotiable.

• Gold health plan (100% employer-paid for you and your dependents), dental and vision insurance

• Up to 8% employer retirement match 

• Long- and short- term disability, optional FSA and DCFSA

Time Off & Flexibility

• Up to four weeks of PTO

• Quarterly wellness days

• Paid holidays

• Remote work

Work Culture & Community

• Collaborative, inclusive and mission-driven environment

• Regular team meetings 

• Supportive, transparent, experimental and accountable culture

• Opportunities to become immersed in the world of health journalism and journalism support organizations

Location: The Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism is an entirely remote, independent nonprofit. All AHCJ staff work with the understanding that occasional travel is required. 

Finalists for this position will be asked for references and may be subject to a background check.

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