Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a newly qualified information professional, or an experienced librarian, to join the Library Service at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. As a member of the senior team, the successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of the service, with a genuinely varied role and the opportunity to make a visible and meaningful impact.
Please see a short video from the Service Manager with more details about the role: Librarian role video
The Library & Knowledge Service provides specialist support to healthcare professionals, non-clinical staff and learners across Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton General Hospital and partner organisations. The service plays a key role in ensuring equitable access to high-quality evidence to support patient care, research, education and professional development, and in equipping staff with the skills to find, evaluate and apply evidence effectively in practice.
Librarians within the service contribute to the delivery and development of a high-quality, responsive library and knowledge service. Working as part of the senior team, the post holder will take lead responsibility for specific areas of work while also contributing to the wider management, development and strategic direction of the service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead on several key areas within the service from those listed below:
User education
Engagement with research
E-Resources
Print and digital collections (including cataloguing and metadata)
Evidence and enquiry service
System management
Impact monitoring and evaluation
Health & Safety and risk assessments
About us
NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead on several key areas within the service from those listed below:
User education
Engagement with research
E-Resources
Print and digital collections (including cataloguing and metadata)
Evidence and enquiry service
System management
Impact monitoring and evaluation
Health & Safety and risk assessments
In addition, the postholder will:
Design, deliver, and evaluate training sessions that enable staff and students to access, appraise, and use evidence, think critically, write academically, and present information to inform practice, improve services, and support the completion of training/education.
Manage print and digital collections to ensure they remain current, discoverable and cost-effective, liaising with suppliers and national NHS contacts as required.
Manage and support [Library Assistants] and volunteers as required, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across sites.
Administer and develop core systems, including resource authentication and the library management system, ensuring data accuracy, and smooth operation.
Provide professional information and literature-searching support to underpin evidence-based clinical practice, clinical governance, quality improvement, research, and continuing professional development.
Lead or contribute to promotional and marketing activity, ensuring the service is visible and accessible to all users.
Monitor impact of service and contribute to data-driven service developments.
Participate in regional and national networks, sharing good practice and contributing to collaborative developments.
Represent the service at meetings and events, supporting the wider aims of NHFT and partner organisations.
Maintain an understanding of developments in information science and associated technologies and practices.
The post holder will work flexibly across NHFT and NGH library sites, occasionally outside normal office hours, to meet the needs of a 24/7 workforce. The role combines professional expertise with service delivery, requiring strong communication, initiative, and organisational skills, and offers opportunities to develop specialist knowledge within an innovative, system-wide Library Service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead on several key areas within the service from those listed below:
User education
Engagement with research
E-Resources
Print and digital collections (including cataloguing and metadata)
Evidence and enquiry service
System management
Impact monitoring and evaluation
Health & Safety and risk assessments
In addition, the postholder will:
Design, deliver, and evaluate training sessions that enable staff and students to access, appraise, and use evidence, think critically, write academically, and present information to inform practice, improve services, and support the completion of training/education.
Manage print and digital collections to ensure they remain current, discoverable and cost-effective, liaising with suppliers and national NHS contacts as required.
Manage and support [Library Assistants] and volunteers as required, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across sites.
Administer and develop core systems, including resource authentication and the library management system, ensuring data accuracy, and smooth operation.
Provide professional information and literature-searching support to underpin evidence-based clinical practice, clinical governance, quality improvement, research, and continuing professional development.
Lead or contribute to promotional and marketing activity, ensuring the service is visible and accessible to all users.
Monitor impact of service and contribute to data-driven service developments.
Participate in regional and national networks, sharing good practice and contributing to collaborative developments.
Represent the service at meetings and events, supporting the wider aims of NHFT and partner organisations.
Maintain an understanding of developments in information science and associated technologies and practices.
The post holder will work flexibly across NHFT and NGH library sites, occasionally outside normal office hours, to meet the needs of a 24/7 workforce. The role combines professional expertise with service delivery, requiring strong communication, initiative, and organisational skills, and offers opportunities to develop specialist knowledge within an innovative, system-wide Library Service.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Degree in Library and Information Science (or equivalent qualification/experience).
- Experience in a library, information or knowledge management environment.
- Experience of delivering or supporting information skills training.
- Experience of advanced literature or evidence searching using specialist databases.
Desirable
- Experience of supervising or mentoring staff.
- Experience of working within the NHS or other healthcare setting.
- Experience of managing or maintaining library systems, catalogues or digital platforms.
- Experience of project or service development work
- Understanding of NHS structures, priorities and information governance requirements.
- Familiarity with national NHS library initiatives and resource provision.
- Chartered Member or working toward Chartership (CILIP or equivalent professional body).
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage confidently with users at all levels.
- Ability to design and deliver clear, engaging training sessions to groups and individuals.
- Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information requests and identify appropriate solutions.
- Effective planning and organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Proficient in the use of library-specific and standard office IT systems, databases and digital platforms.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data quality and accuracy.
- Ability to motivate and support colleagues, contributing to a collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing demands, including occasional work outside normal office hours.
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Acts with integrity, openness and professionalism, maintaining the highest standards of service delivery and confidentiality.
- Builds positive, respectful relationships with colleagues and users.
- Takes ownership of work, showing initiative and accountability while seeking support appropriately.
- Contributes actively to service improvement, embracing change and supporting innovation in library and knowledge practice.
- Promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of service delivery and team working
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Degree in Library and Information Science (or equivalent qualification/experience).
- Experience in a library, information or knowledge management environment.
- Experience of delivering or supporting information skills training.
- Experience of advanced literature or evidence searching using specialist databases.
Desirable
- Experience of supervising or mentoring staff.
- Experience of working within the NHS or other healthcare setting.
- Experience of managing or maintaining library systems, catalogues or digital platforms.
- Experience of project or service development work
- Understanding of NHS structures, priorities and information governance requirements.
- Familiarity with national NHS library initiatives and resource provision.
- Chartered Member or working toward Chartership (CILIP or equivalent professional body).
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage confidently with users at all levels.
- Ability to design and deliver clear, engaging training sessions to groups and individuals.
- Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information requests and identify appropriate solutions.
- Effective planning and organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Proficient in the use of library-specific and standard office IT systems, databases and digital platforms.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data quality and accuracy.
- Ability to motivate and support colleagues, contributing to a collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing demands, including occasional work outside normal office hours.
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Acts with integrity, openness and professionalism, maintaining the highest standards of service delivery and confidentiality.
- Builds positive, respectful relationships with colleagues and users.
- Takes ownership of work, showing initiative and accountability while seeking support appropriately.
- Contributes actively to service improvement, embracing change and supporting innovation in library and knowledge practice.
- Promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of service delivery and team working
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).
