Job overview

The Secretary of State for Health has a duty, under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure “the use in the health service of evidence obtained from research’.1 NHS Library & Knowledge Services have a key role in enabling NHS staff to have access to and use appropriate knowledge to support their practice, their learning and development and their research.

This is an exciting post for a qualified, experienced, pro-active and creative librarian/information specialist who wants to make their mark working in an innovative service environment in one of the biggest NHS Trusts in England.

The post has cross-site responsibility and the post holder, while based at Broomfield Healthcare Library, in Chelmsford, will be required to work at any Mid and South Essex (MSE) Healthcare Library site in order to develop a collaborative and consistent high-quality service. There will also be the opportunity to work from home on an ad-hoc basis, dependent on service needs.

The library maintains service agreements with Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT), which provides community and mental health services, and Provide CIC, a Community Interest Company. You may be required to travel to their locations to promote library resources and deliver customized information skills training that addresses their specific needs.

Main duties of the job

Clinical librarianship is a proactive approach to supporting evidence-based healthcare and clinical governance within the clinical setting at the point of need. You will primarily be based in the library but will spend much of your time linking with identified departments or teams and will play a vital role in providing patient centred, evidence-based information at the time and place of need thus contributing to patient care. 

NHS Library and Knowledge Services (LKS) need to be visible and accessible to all staff members. You will be a key advocate for the library and its importance to evidence-based practice and patient care. An essential aspect of the role will be to build positive relationships at all levels of the organisation and with all users and staff who need access to high quality evidence-based resources.

You will work closely with the Broomfield Site Manager to develop and implement effective marketing and promotional initiatives that enhance the library's visibility across the site. 

Working both independently and in collaboration with MSE or regional training librarians, you will enhance the library's existing training program by creating and delivering structured library skills sessions. These sessions may include presentations, one-to-one coaching, group workshops, or virtual training to build literature searching and critical appraisal skills among staff at all levels. 

Working for our organisation

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
 
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
 
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.