Job summary
Are you passionate about delivering high-quality library and knowledge services in a healthcare setting? We're looking for a proactive and organised Senior Library Assistant to join our team at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
This role supports frontline knowledge and library services within Brighton Hospital. The post-holder will work with clinical and non-clinical staff, as well as students and handle tasks such as:
Managing the document supply service and membership database, Training and supervising library assistants, Conducting new member inductions, including library tours and IT/resource support
The post-holder will liaise with and report to the library manager and work autonomously daily within a framework of existing policies and procedures.
Main duties of the job
CommunicationDeal with frontline enquiries.Deliver excellent customer service and demonstrate use of library resources (print and digital).Provide basic IT support (e.g., MS Word, EndNote) and troubleshoot equipment issues.Handle complex enquiries and escalate when necessary.Assist with member inductions, library tours, and promotional materials.Occasionally work alone during evening shifts, ensuring service and security.
Service Delivery & ImprovementManage library membership processes utilising the Library Management System (LMS).
Handle book circulation, cataloguing, stock review, and procurement.Support evidence-based practice by logging search requests and registering members for updates.Maintain the library environment, supplies, and website accuracy.Collect usage statistics and contribute to service development goals.Occasionally work at other library sites and independently manage the library.
People Management & DevelopmentSupervise and train library assistantsOversee document supply services and provide expert support in sourcing materials.Assist in recruitment and contribute to local policy and service development.Manage the members' database and actively engage in team meetings and sub-groups.
About us
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
The senior library assistant operates within a team of enquiry desk staff in the delivery of proactive frontline knowledge and library services. This requires dealing with all levels of clinical and non-clinical members as well as students on placement within the local health economy. The post-holder will carry out a wide range of tasks including managing the document supply service and members database and training/supervising the library assistants in library processes and tasks. The post-holder will also be involved in new member inductions, including giving library tours and hands-on support with IT and information resources.The post-holder liaises with and reports to their library manager and works autonomously daily within a framework of existing policies and procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
The senior library assistant operates within a team of enquiry desk staff in the delivery of proactive frontline knowledge and library services. This requires dealing with all levels of clinical and non-clinical members as well as students on placement within the local health economy. The post-holder will carry out a wide range of tasks including managing the document supply service and members database and training/supervising the library assistants in library processes and tasks. The post-holder will also be involved in new member inductions, including giving library tours and hands-on support with IT and information resources.The post-holder liaises with and reports to their library manager and works autonomously daily within a framework of existing policies and procedures.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications
Essential
- Level 4 qualification in relevant discipline, e.g. library and information studies, or equivalent experience.
- Experience of and confidence in using information technology in the workplace
- Experience of and confidence in working with electronic and printed sources of information
- Experience of working in a customer care environment
- Experience of searching a range of resources for evidence-based information
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to interpret users information needs using reference interviews.
- The ability to judge and determine the most appropriate source of information in response to library users' diverse range of enquiries and to provide the information in a timely, accurate and suitable manner.
- Ability to handle alphabetical and numerical data accurately.
- Ability to collate data and maintain spreadsheets
- Ability to trouble-shoot basic computer, photocopier and printer problems and be able to judge when situations require specialist information technology department support.
- Competency and confidence in the use of IT including email, Internet/Intranet and software such as MS Office.
- Ability to search Internet databases.
- Ability to allocate and delegate tasks to other staff
- Able to communicate information to a wide range of personnel from different cultures and organisations.
- Able to communicate with sensitivity and tact with other members of own team.
- Experience of training and supervising colleagues
- Able to work in a team and be cooperative and sensitive to the needs of others
- Ability to judge when to refer enquiries onto other relevant library staff.
- Flexibility to adapt quickly to changes in procedures and changes in availability of information resources.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and to work alone, unsupervised, on a regular basis.
- Confidence and ability to maintain the quality of the service.
- Ability to adjust work plan in order to give priority to K&L members' needs.
- Ability to use initiative during daily work and in contributing to improving the overall service.
- The post-holder will generally work with their line-manager or another member of the senior team able to provide immediate support if needed.
Desirable
- Knowledge or awareness of relevant legislation, eg. Copyright Act, Data protection and Freedom of Information
- Experience or knowledge of the NHS.
- Knowledge and understanding of clinical terminology.
- Able to train colleagues in a small group
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications
Essential
- Level 4 qualification in relevant discipline, e.g. library and information studies, or equivalent experience.
- Experience of and confidence in using information technology in the workplace
- Experience of and confidence in working with electronic and printed sources of information
- Experience of working in a customer care environment
- Experience of searching a range of resources for evidence-based information
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to interpret users information needs using reference interviews.
- The ability to judge and determine the most appropriate source of information in response to library users' diverse range of enquiries and to provide the information in a timely, accurate and suitable manner.
- Ability to handle alphabetical and numerical data accurately.
- Ability to collate data and maintain spreadsheets
- Ability to trouble-shoot basic computer, photocopier and printer problems and be able to judge when situations require specialist information technology department support.
- Competency and confidence in the use of IT including email, Internet/Intranet and software such as MS Office.
- Ability to search Internet databases.
- Ability to allocate and delegate tasks to other staff
- Able to communicate information to a wide range of personnel from different cultures and organisations.
- Able to communicate with sensitivity and tact with other members of own team.
- Experience of training and supervising colleagues
- Able to work in a team and be cooperative and sensitive to the needs of others
- Ability to judge when to refer enquiries onto other relevant library staff.
- Flexibility to adapt quickly to changes in procedures and changes in availability of information resources.
- Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and to work alone, unsupervised, on a regular basis.
- Confidence and ability to maintain the quality of the service.
- Ability to adjust work plan in order to give priority to K&L members' needs.
- Ability to use initiative during daily work and in contributing to improving the overall service.
- The post-holder will generally work with their line-manager or another member of the senior team able to provide immediate support if needed.
Desirable
- Knowledge or awareness of relevant legislation, eg. Copyright Act, Data protection and Freedom of Information
- Experience or knowledge of the NHS.
- Knowledge and understanding of clinical terminology.
- Able to train colleagues in a small group
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address
Audrey Emerton Building, Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
Employer's website
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
