Job summary
We are looking for a Senior Library Assistant to join our successful and supportive Oxford Health LKS team delivering high quality and much valued library services to Oxford Health NHS FT staff and stakeholders.
Could this be you?
This post offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced library assistant to develop existing and gain new skills to further their career, including taking advantage of the excellent links and collaborative opportunities offered through extensive NHS and academic LKS networks whilst incorporating the principles of Knowledge for Healthcare.
Knowledge for Healthcare - Mobilising evidence; sharing knowledge; improving outcomes (hee.nhs.uk)
As a Senior Library Assistant you will make a real difference to the lives of patients and service users, proving that proactive information services for staff can save them time and help them do their jobs better. These are just some of the additional benefits that can be realised by the successful applicant.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Library Assistant you will provide high quality paraprofessional support, enabling all library users,to make best use of library services wherever they are based, supporting evidence-based practice, continuing education and research.
You will share responsibilities with another Senior Library Assistant to support the daily operation of Oxford Health Libraries, acting as the first point of contact for enquiries, introducing users to the library, maintaining membership systems,allocating and distributing tasks within the team, providing administrative support for specialist library services and carrying out basic searching to support users' requests.
You will operate and maintain key library systems including the SWIMS library management system, KnowledgeShare (current awareness alerting and literature searches), the electronic document supply and interlibrary loan service and support OpenAthens administration.
You will assist with marketing/promotion and social media, including the creation of displays and exhibitions, contribute to the collection of activity statistics and feedback and support the library's financial processes and general library administration, helping to ensure the physical library environment is safe and well-presented.
About us
- You will work as part of our team of supportive, experienced information professionals and paraprofessionals providing library services to all NHS staff and students of OHFT based in primary care, mental health and community settings, as well as Commissioners and Public Health professionals where agreements exist. Library staff also work closely with NHS library colleagues across Thames Valley and Wessex and the South.
- You will be based at Whiteleaf Library (Aylesbury) or Warneford Library (Oxford) and may be required to work at other Trust Library sites (travel expenses may be available if appropriate).
- You will have the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of information work. In-house mentoring is available and the post is suitable for those who may want to develop a career in library and information fields with the chance to apply for financial support to undertake library qualifications.
Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Staff accommodation
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
Job description
Job responsibilities
- A vocational qualification in library and information studies (minimum NVQ level 3), together with experience of working in libraries. Candidates without a qualification may also be considered if they can demonstrate they have substantial experience of library work.
- Knowledge of training library users and of a broad range of library procedures including enquiry handling.
- Good IT skills, including MS Office software and library systems.
- An understanding of copyright and data protection.
- Strong skills in information retrieval, customer service, organisational and a methodical approach to work
- Excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills
- Able to work flexibly in an environment, which may be busy or involve lone working, in a shared office or home
- Experience of working with a wide range of people with different skills and needs
- Be approachable and courteous, helpful and positive with the desire to deliver a quality service that meets users needs
- An adequate level of fitness
PLEASE NOTE:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- A vocational qualification in library and information studies (minimum NVQ level 3), together with experience of working in libraries. Candidates without a qualification may also be considered if they can demonstrate they have substantial experience of library work.
- Knowledge of training library users and of a broad range of library procedures including enquiry handling.
- Good IT skills, including MS Office software and library systems.
- An understanding of copyright and data protection.
- Strong skills in information retrieval, customer service, organisational and a methodical approach to work
- Excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills
- Able to work flexibly in an environment, which may be busy or involve lone working, in a shared office or home
- Experience of working with a wide range of people with different skills and needs
- Be approachable and courteous, helpful and positive with the desire to deliver a quality service that meets users needs
- An adequate level of fitness
PLEASE NOTE:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Person Specification
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- GCSE A-C grade in Maths and English or equivalent
- Minimum of NVQ level 3 (2 A-levels) or equivalent, or a vocational qualification in library and information studies e.g.NVQ/City and Guilds
Desirable
- Qualification in education and training.
- Working towards the chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals.
- Qualification in IT use.
Knowledge
Essential
- Competent in enquiry handling, understanding and analysing customer needs, devising information search strategies, and in use of electronic and print sources.
- Excellent information retrieval skills
- Up to date, excellent IT skills, using Microsoft Office 365 including MS Teams or equivalent; experience of using and supporting electronic systems such as content/ library management systems, document supply systems, databases and web technologies, and working within a networked or library environment.
- Understanding of library administration procedures.
- Awareness of current issues impacting on library and information provision.
- Understanding of legislation with particular relevance to library work, such as copyright and data protection.
- Excellent organisational skills and a methodical approach to work.
- Robust understanding of the principles of good customer service.
- Good understanding of service publicity and promotion.
Desirable
- Knowledge of quality health information sources
- Understanding of the NHS and the information needs of its staff, including evidence-based healthcare.
- Familiarity with health-care terminology
- Excellent understanding in at least one area of library administration - e.g. stock loan systems, document delivery.
- Experience in producing reports, maintaining spreadsheets
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a wide range of people with different skills and needs and able to communicate effectively including delivering complex instructions to staff and external contacts (which may occasionally include patients) at all levels
- Training and education of library users in effective use of information resources
- Experience of clerical work including use of phones, computers and multi-function devices (for printing, scanning etc)
- Significant experience in a library post (healthcare or high education desirable).
- Experience of team working.
- Experience of presenting to groups or individuals.
Desirable
- Supervisory experience, experience of delegation, allocation and distribution of daily tasks to ensure effective service delivery.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Approachable, courteous, helpful and interested
- Desire to deliver a quality service that meets users' needs
- Adequate level of fitness to enable the carrying of reasonable loads (e.g., boxed journals, books, laptops) and accessing shelves using steps if necessary.
- Adequate vision to cope with computer display screens on a prolonged basis.
- Able to work under occasional unpleasant conditions such as dusty conditions when accessing archival materials, verbal aggression from external library users.
- Ability to work flexibly in a team.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements
Essential
- Current driving licence and use of a car
Person Specification
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- GCSE A-C grade in Maths and English or equivalent
- Minimum of NVQ level 3 (2 A-levels) or equivalent, or a vocational qualification in library and information studies e.g.NVQ/City and Guilds
Desirable
- Qualification in education and training.
- Working towards the chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals.
- Qualification in IT use.
Knowledge
Essential
- Competent in enquiry handling, understanding and analysing customer needs, devising information search strategies, and in use of electronic and print sources.
- Excellent information retrieval skills
- Up to date, excellent IT skills, using Microsoft Office 365 including MS Teams or equivalent; experience of using and supporting electronic systems such as content/ library management systems, document supply systems, databases and web technologies, and working within a networked or library environment.
- Understanding of library administration procedures.
- Awareness of current issues impacting on library and information provision.
- Understanding of legislation with particular relevance to library work, such as copyright and data protection.
- Excellent organisational skills and a methodical approach to work.
- Robust understanding of the principles of good customer service.
- Good understanding of service publicity and promotion.
Desirable
- Knowledge of quality health information sources
- Understanding of the NHS and the information needs of its staff, including evidence-based healthcare.
- Familiarity with health-care terminology
- Excellent understanding in at least one area of library administration - e.g. stock loan systems, document delivery.
- Experience in producing reports, maintaining spreadsheets
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a wide range of people with different skills and needs and able to communicate effectively including delivering complex instructions to staff and external contacts (which may occasionally include patients) at all levels
- Training and education of library users in effective use of information resources
- Experience of clerical work including use of phones, computers and multi-function devices (for printing, scanning etc)
- Significant experience in a library post (healthcare or high education desirable).
- Experience of team working.
- Experience of presenting to groups or individuals.
Desirable
- Supervisory experience, experience of delegation, allocation and distribution of daily tasks to ensure effective service delivery.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Approachable, courteous, helpful and interested
- Desire to deliver a quality service that meets users' needs
- Adequate level of fitness to enable the carrying of reasonable loads (e.g., boxed journals, books, laptops) and accessing shelves using steps if necessary.
- Adequate vision to cope with computer display screens on a prolonged basis.
- Able to work under occasional unpleasant conditions such as dusty conditions when accessing archival materials, verbal aggression from external library users.
- Ability to work flexibly in a team.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements
Essential
- Current driving licence and use of a car
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
