GRAPHIC DESIGNER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Samaritan Health Services

Location: Samaritan Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, United States

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Marketing & Communications (Creative & Media, Art & Design)

Date Posted: February 9, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and executes creative visual content for diverse healthcare marketing and communication needs across print and digital platforms.

• Ensures all visual assets adhere to stringent healthcare regulations, brand standards, and accessibility best practices.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with marketing, clinical, and administrative teams to translate complex health information into engaging visual narratives.

• Manages the entire design lifecycle from concept to production-ready files, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors for seamless execution.

• Maintains and enhances the Samaritan Health Services brand identity across all communication channels, ensuring consistency and professionalism.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on graphic design within a healthcare environment. The emphasis on compliance with HIPAA, patient privacy, and healthcare legal statutes, along with the need for brand consistency across regulated materials, indicates a specialized operational requirement for a designer familiar with or adaptable to regulated industries. The hybrid work model suggests a need for strong self-management and efficient remote collaboration tools.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a comprehensive range of marketing and communication materials, including but not limited to brochures, flyers, posters, annual reports, advertisements, signage, billboards, presentations, social media graphics, email graphics, website assets, and facility signage and wayfinding programs.

• Uphold and meticulously apply hospital brand standards across all visual materials to ensure consistency, professionalism, and brand integrity.

• Collaborate effectively with clinical vendors to customize promotional materials, ensuring the Samaritan brand is consistently and appropriately represented.

• Partner closely with marketing, public relations, foundation, service lines, and other departments to translate strategic concepts and messaging into compelling visual designs that resonate with target audiences.

• Prepare production-ready files for various media and coordinate with internal teams and external vendors (printers, sign companies, media outlets) to guarantee quality, accuracy, and timely delivery.

• Develop and optimize digital assets for web, email, and social media platforms, ensuring they are accessible, responsive, and aligned with digital marketing strategies.

• Contribute to creative direction for marketing campaigns, special events, and community outreach initiatives, providing visual solutions that enhance engagement.

• Ensure facility signage and interior aesthetics meet brand standards and facility expectations, contributing to a cohesive patient and visitor experience.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently in a fast-paced healthcare environment, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet established deadlines.

• Ensure all created materials strictly comply with HIPAA, patient privacy standards, healthcare legal statutes, copyright laws, and organizational policies.

• Maintain and organize digital asset libraries, design templates, and project files for efficient retrieval and future use.

• Stay abreast of current design trends, healthcare marketing best practices, and emerging tools and technologies to continuously improve design output and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can handle a broad spectrum of collateral, from print to digital, with a strong emphasis on brand consistency and regulatory compliance within the healthcare sector. The inclusion of signage and wayfinding points to an understanding of environmental graphics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Experience: Two to five years of professional graphic design experience. Prior experience in the healthcare industry or other highly regulated sectors is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Strong command of the entire Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Visual Design Principles: Deep understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create impactful designs.

• Brand Management: Ability to consistently apply and maintain brand standards across diverse media.

• Regulatory Compliance Awareness: Understanding of healthcare-specific regulations such as HIPAA, patient privacy, and legal statutes relevant to marketing materials.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively partner with diverse stakeholders, including clinical and non-clinical staff.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in design execution and proofreading.

• Time Management & Organization: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approach to overcoming design challenges and translating complex concepts into clear visuals.

• Digital Asset Optimization: Experience creating assets optimized for web, email, and social media platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Canva for quick design tasks or template creation.

• Basic knowledge of video editing or motion graphics tools (e.g., After Effects) to enhance digital content.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) for web asset integration.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) for digital design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both a degree and equivalent experience, along with specific software proficiency and industry-preferred experience, indicates a mid-level designer role. The emphasis on regulatory compliance and collaboration within a healthcare setting is a critical differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of at least 5-7 diverse design projects showcasing proficiency in print and digital media.

• Specific examples demonstrating successful application of brand guidelines in a regulated industry (healthcare preferred).

• Case studies or project descriptions that highlight the problem, your design solution, and the measurable impact or objective achieved.

• Visual representation of experience with various collateral types: brochures, social media graphics, web assets, signage, and presentations.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial brief interpretation and concept development to final file delivery.

• Showcase examples of how you manage feedback and revisions from multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrate an understanding of preparing files for specific printing or digital platforms.

• Ability to articulate how you ensure design accessibility and compliance with relevant regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role in healthcare, the portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic appeal but also the ability to communicate complex information clearly and compliantly. Demonstrating a structured design process and an understanding of production workflows is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $28.00 - $46.20 per hour.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan with potential employer match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous accrual of vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and continuing education to enhance design skills and industry knowledge.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives focused on employee health and well-being.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Combines in-office collaboration with remote work for improved work-life balance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically 8-hour day shifts. Specific schedule may vary based on departmental needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $28.00 - $46.20 per hour for a Part-Time Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Portland, Oregon, aligns with industry benchmarks for creative roles in a competitive market. The hybrid nature of the role is a significant benefit for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare (Hospitals and Health Systems)

Company Size: Large (Likely 5,000+ employees, given Samaritan Health Services' scale)

Founded: Samaritan Health Services was founded in 1986.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing & Development department, specifically within the SMC Marketing & Develop unit at Samaritan Medical Center.

• This team likely comprises marketing specialists, communications professionals, and potentially other creative staff.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: Designs are informed by marketing objectives, audience insights, and performance metrics.

• Brand Consistency: Emphasis on adhering to established brand guidelines and ensuring a unified visual identity across all communications.

• Collaborative Workflow: Projects are often cross-functional, requiring input and approvals from multiple departments.

• Compliance-Focused: A rigorous approach to ensuring all materials meet regulatory and legal standards.

• Patient-Centric Approach: Designs aim to inform, engage, and support patients, families, and the broader community.

Company Website: https://www.samhealth.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a large healthcare organization, Samaritan Health Services likely fosters a culture that values patient care, community service, and professional integrity. The marketing team's role is crucial in communicating these values and services effectively, requiring designers to be sensitive to the healthcare context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role appears to be at an early to mid-career level. It requires a solid foundation in design principles and software, along with 2-5 years of experience, suggesting a transition from junior to more independent contributor responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a manager or director within the Marketing & Development department at Samaritan Medical Center. They will likely collaborate closely with marketing managers and project leads who define campaign objectives and messaging.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences how Samaritan Health Services is perceived by patients, potential patients, employees, and the community. High-quality, compliant, and engaging visuals are critical for:

• Enhancing brand recognition and trust.

• Clearly communicating services, programs, and health information.

• Supporting marketing campaigns that drive patient acquisition and engagement.

• Fostering internal communication and employee morale.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital design, motion graphics, or healthcare-specific visual communication.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design aspects of larger campaigns or initiatives.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gaining experience collaborating with diverse clinical and administrative teams, broadening understanding of healthcare operations.

• Advanced Training: Access to professional development resources to learn new software or design techniques relevant to healthcare marketing.

• Potential for Full-Time: Depending on performance and organizational needs, there might be opportunities to transition into a full-time role with expanded responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a part-time role, growth often involves expanding responsibilities within the existing position, taking on more complex projects, or potentially moving to a full-time capacity. The healthcare industry offers unique challenges and learning opportunities for designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a Hybrid position, meaning the role involves a mix of on-site work at Samaritan Medical Center and remote work. This allows for both in-person collaboration and focused individual work from home.

Office Location(s): Primarily based at Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Occasional travel to and throughout other healthcare facilities within the Samaritan Health Services network may be required for project-specific needs (e.g., site surveys for signage).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site component facilitates direct interaction with marketing team members, project managers, and other stakeholders, fostering teamwork and efficient communication.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to necessary design software, hardware, and internal network resources while on-site. Remote work will require a suitable home office setup with reliable internet.

• Operations Integration: The role is integrated into the broader healthcare operations, requiring an understanding of the clinical environment and patient flow when designing facility-related graphics.

Work Schedule: The position is part-time, with an expectation of 40 hours per week, typically structured as 8-hour day shifts. Flexibility may be needed to meet project deadlines, particularly around campaign launches or urgent communication needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature necessitates strong organizational skills and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. The need for occasional travel highlights the importance of adaptability and the ability to work effectively in different physical settings within the healthcare system.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: An interview focused on discussing your portfolio in detail. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design process, rationale, and the outcomes. This may include a skills-based exercise or a short design challenge related to healthcare communication.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the Marketing & Development team and potentially key stakeholders from clinical departments to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of healthcare needs.

• Final Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager or department head to finalize the offer and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to healthcare marketing (e.g., patient education materials, campaign graphics, event promotions, branding).

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solution, and the results or impact. Use metrics if available.

• Highlight Compliance: If possible, showcase work that demonstrates an understanding of regulatory constraints or specific industry requirements.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital designs, and different types of collateral.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. A dedicated website or a well-designed PDF is recommended.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with Samaritan Health Services: Research their mission, values, current campaigns, and target audiences. Understand their brand guidelines if publicly available.

• Review Healthcare Marketing Trends: Be prepared to discuss current trends in healthcare design and communication.

• Practice Articulating Your Process: Be ready to verbally walk through your design thinking for hypothetical scenarios or past projects.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready about the team, the role, company culture, and specific design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges means candidates must be prepared to showcase their work and thought process rigorously. Understanding the healthcare context and Samaritan's specific needs will be key to success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe InDesign: For layout and print production of brochures, reports, flyers, and signage.

• Adobe Illustrator: For creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.

• Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating digital assets for web and social media.

Supporting Tools & Technologies:

• Canva: Potentially used for quick social media graphics, internal communications, or template-based designs.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint): For creating presentations and collaborating on documents that may include design elements.

• Project Management Software: (e.g., Asana, Trello, Workfront) Likely used by the marketing team for task tracking and workflow management.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: To organize and retrieve approved brand assets and design files.

• Web Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with how design assets are integrated into websites (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) is a plus.

• Social Media Management Tools: Understanding how graphics are used within platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Familiarity with supporting tools enhances efficiency and adaptability within a marketing department's technology ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centered Care: A core value that permeates all aspects of the organization, including marketing communications, ensuring empathy and clarity in all designs.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards, particularly concerning patient privacy and accurate health information dissemination.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all work, from creative execution to project management and stakeholder collaboration.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork across departments to achieve shared goals and provide comprehensive patient care and communication.

• Community Focus: Commitment to serving and engaging with the local community through accessible and informative health resources.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with marketing strategists, content writers, clinical experts, and administrative staff, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate diverse perspectives into cohesive visual solutions.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An environment that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure they meet objectives and compliance requirements.

• Shared Ownership: While designers lead creative execution, the success of campaigns often relies on collective input and buy-in from various departments.

• Proactive Communication: Essential for managing expectations, providing updates, and ensuring alignment on project goals and timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture in a healthcare organization like Samaritan is deeply rooted in its mission. The marketing team, and by extension the Graphic Designer, must embody these values in their work, ensuring that all communications are not only visually appealing but also compassionate, accurate, and aligned with patient well-being.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Compliance: Meeting the demands of creative expression while strictly adhering to healthcare regulations (HIPAA, privacy laws) and brand guidelines.

• Translating Complex Information: Simplifying intricate medical information and health services into easily understandable and visually engaging graphics for diverse audiences.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Juggling feedback and requirements from various departments, each with unique priorities and perspectives.

• Fast-Paced Healthcare Environment: Adapting to urgent communication needs, campaign shifts, and tight deadlines inherent in a hospital setting.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Digital Trends: Ensuring digital assets are not only visually appealing but also optimized for current platforms and accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Healthcare Marketing Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in visual communication strategies specific to the healthcare industry.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn new software features, motion graphics, or UX/UI design principles for digital assets.

• Project Management Skills: Developing stronger skills in managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Learning about various clinical services and operational aspects of the hospital to inform design decisions.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Access to events focused on healthcare marketing, communications, and design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is navigating the dual requirements of creative excellence and strict regulatory adherence. Growth opportunities are strong for those who can master this balance and become indispensable assets to the healthcare marketing team.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to present 3-5 key projects from your portfolio. For each, discuss:

  • The client/project objective.
  • Your specific role and contribution.
  • The design process and rationale behind your choices (color, typography, layout).
  • Any challenges encountered and how you overcame them.
  • The outcome or impact of the design.

• Healthcare Context: "How would you approach designing a brochure for a new cancer treatment program, ensuring it's both informative and compassionate?" or "What are the key considerations when designing internal communications for healthcare staff versus patient-facing materials?"

• Brand Adherence: "Describe a time you had to balance a client's creative request with their brand guidelines. How did you ensure consistency?"

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine we need to create a campaign to increase flu shot vaccinations. What visual elements would you consider, and what channels would you prioritize for graphics?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Samaritan Health Services specifically, and within the healthcare industry?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how do you incorporate them while maintaining brand integrity?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote environment. What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Digital First: Have a professional online portfolio (website or dedicated platform) ready to share.

• Curate Wisely: Select projects that align with the job description – focus on healthcare, print, digital, and brand consistency.

• Context is Key: For each piece, provide brief but impactful context – the goal, audience, your role, and the result.

• Be Ready for a Challenge: They might present a hypothetical design problem during the interview or ask you to critique existing materials.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews for roles in regulated industries often probe deeper into process, compliance, and problem-solving. Demonstrating an understanding of Samaritan's mission and the unique demands of healthcare design will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Samaritan Health Services careers portal.

• Portfolio Optimization: Ensure your resume highlights your design experience, software proficiency, and any relevant healthcare or regulated industry projects. Tailor your portfolio to showcase samples that directly address the responsibilities and preferred skills mentioned in the job description.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Briefly explain why you are interested in Samaritan Health Services and this specific role, emphasizing your understanding of healthcare marketing and your relevant design experience.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Have your online portfolio or a well-organized PDF ready to share, featuring projects that demonstrate your skills in both print and digital design, brand adherence, and regulatory awareness.

• Research Samaritan Health Services: Familiarize yourself with their mission, values, recent campaigns, and target audiences to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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