Working in NHS Knowledge and Library Services offers a diverse range of roles. These include:
- Library Assistants – are customer-facing team members to support accessing knowledge and evidence and providing services such as document delivery and access to resources.
- Clinical librarians – attend clinical meetings and accompany staff on ward rounds, providing best evidence for quality patient care.
- Outreach librarians – go out and about a lot, working with a range of staff such as GPs, paramedics or IT managers.
- Embedded librarians – placed in teams like Quality Improvement or Research and fully integrated in that department
- Knowledge specialists – take the lead on organising activities and events that help capture, disseminate and share knowledge in an organisation.
- Library Managers – Lead Knowledge and Library Services in organisations and provide strategic direction for the services, supporting the KLS team and raising the service profile in the organisation.
There are some general skills you will need as a librarian of any type in an NHS Knowledge and Library Service:
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial for interacting with users. We need to provide clear and concise information.
Continuous Learning: Health Librarianship is constantly evolving, so a commitment to lifelong learning is important to stay up to date with the latest advancements.
Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service is paramount. This includes actively listening to user needs, responding politely and professionally to inquiries, and demonstrating a helpful and approachable attitude.
Discretion and Confidentiality: You’ll be handling sensitive health information, so a strong commitment to data privacy and confidentiality is essential.
Information Literacy: You’ll need strong information research skills, including the ability to navigate complex databases, evaluate information sources, and identify the most relevant resources for user needs.
IT skills: Confidence using computers and information technology is essential. This includes database searching, utilising library management systems, and navigating various online resources.
Organisation and Time Management: The ability to organise information effectively, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines is key in a fast-paced environment.
Project Management: Experience managing projects can be helpful, especially in senior positions.
Teaching and Training: The ability to develop and deliver training sessions on information literacy and library resources can be valuable in some roles.
Teamwork: Collaboration is key in Knowledge and Library Services. You’ll need to be able to work effectively with colleagues and contribute to a positive team environment.
By developing a strong skillset in these areas, you can position yourself for a rewarding career in NHS Knowledge and Library Services, where you’ll play a vital role in supporting healthcare professionals and patients.