Job summary Do you want to help enable healthcare colleagues to deliver outstanding, evidence-based patient care across Somerset? We are seeking an enthusiastic, qualified librarian to join our passionate and innovative team to help deliver a wide range of knowledge & information skills training to all staff across Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and to support our evidence search request and current awareness services. This will be an interesting and varied role, with lots of opportunities to get involved with supporting learning and research activity in the organisation. The role can be based in either of our Trust library locations, either Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton) or Yeovil District Hospital (Yeovil). There will be opportunity for remote or home-based working, although you will be expected to be able to travel across Somerset to deliver training in any of our Trust locations, as required. You may occasionally be required to work onsite at either of our library locations in order to provide cover when needed, which will give you full exposure to all our knowledge & library services, which is great for developing or maintaining your library skills and knowledge This will be a varied and interesting role, with plenty of opportunities for development. We are seeking a qualified library & information professional, but if you are currently working towards your library qualification, or have relevant library experience and would like to develop into a role like this, we would encourage you to apply. Main duties of the job You will be expected to develop and facilitate training on a wide variety of topics such as: finding and using evidence-based resources, using point of care tools, critical appraisal, reflective writing, writing for publication, health literacy and knowledge mobilisation. You will also be involved in introducing the Knowledge & Library Service to staff, and students on placement during inductions. You will engage with patients and members of the public to signpost high quality healthcare information and promote health literacy. In between training sessions you will be supporting our popular evidence search request and current awareness services. You will need to be able to understand and execute complex searches, finding and selecting the appropriate resources, and summarizing and synthesizing results if requested. Training could be delivered across all acute and community Trust locations across Somerset (so a current driving license is a must), or delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams or the Trust e-learning system, LEAP. Excellent organisational, communication and IT skills are essential About us At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer: Flexible working options to help you balance work and life NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy. Date posted 27 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 184-OL-PU-2184 Job locations Musgrove Park Hospital Musgrove Road Taunton Somerset TA1 5DA Yeovil District Hospital Higher Kingston Yeovil Somerset BA21 4AT Job description Job responsibilities The postholder will be expected to support the Knowledge & Library Services Manager in the provision of the full range of library and information services to NHS staff and students in Somerset. Specific tasks will include: To plan, organise and deliver individual and group training to all grades of staff and students in access to evidence-based electronic resources, literature searching, health literacy skills and knowledge mobilisation. This can be within the library, in departments, off site or virtually via MS Teams, or local learning management system, LEAP. To assess and evaluate own performance via verbal and surveyed feedback mechanisms and to collect and analyse statistics pertaining to training delivered. To produce training materials and content for the library website (LibGuides). To undertake evidence searches for all grades of staff, interpreting their information needs, selecting appropriate sources, constructing search strategies, performing searches, and critically appraising search results. Also assess where customers have gone wrong with their own searches and provide a range of options to ensure success, this can often be under a time pressure or is an interruption to own work flow. Develop and update guides and information sheets to help library customers to undertake own searches. To promote the development of critical appraisal skills in the Trust by supporting local journal and reflective reading clubs /sessions and delivering training on it as required. To contribute to the current awareness services offered by the Library, critically appraising sources of information to be able to recommend quality sources to customers and library staff. Fully exploiting the KnowledgeShare current awareness service, and providing tailored bulletins should KnowledgeShare not meet individual needs. To contribute to and facilitate the outreach service development at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in line with the KLS communication and marketing plan, by actively seeking opportunities to network with colleagues internally at the Trust, in order to introduce them to Knowledge & Library Services, such as by attending departmental or team meetings. Additionally, actively engaging with stakeholders outside the Trust such as Public Health Staff at SCC, Public Library Staff and other relevant stakeholders in the Somerset health care community/ICS. To assist the Knowledge & Library Services Manager with the collation of impact case studies, to evidence impact of library & knowledge services and enable improvements, to support the NHS KLS Quality & Improvement Outcomes Framework. T To contribute towards ensuring the specifications and standards applied to the library service from external bodies (NHS KLS Quality & Improvement Outcomes Framework, multi-professional education contract, Royal College requirements etc) are met. To deputise for the Knowledge & Library Services Manager when appropriate and be responsible for library services and its staff in their absence, acting as supervisor for the enquiry service ensuring that junior staff are adhering to all procedures and offering training, mentorship and advise where appropriate. Make decisions on customer eligibility and be prepared to handle complaints and grievances. Job description Job responsibilities The postholder will be expected to support the Knowledge & Library Services Manager in the provision of the full range of library and information services to NHS staff and students in Somerset. Specific tasks will include: To plan, organise and deliver individual and group training to all grades of staff and students in access to evidence-based electronic resources, literature searching, health literacy skills and knowledge mobilisation. This can be within the library, in departments, off site or virtually via MS Teams, or local learning management system, LEAP. To assess and evaluate own performance via verbal and surveyed feedback mechanisms and to collect and analyse statistics pertaining to training delivered. To produce training materials and content for the library website (LibGuides). To undertake evidence searches for all grades of staff, interpreting their information needs, selecting appropriate sources, constructing search strategies, performing searches, and critically appraising search results. Also assess where customers have gone wrong with their own searches and provide a range of options to ensure success, this can often be under a time pressure or is an interruption to own work flow. Develop and update guides and information sheets to help library customers to undertake own searches. To promote the development of critical appraisal skills in the Trust by supporting local journal and reflective reading clubs /sessions and delivering training on it as required. To contribute to the current awareness services offered by the Library, critically appraising sources of information to be able to recommend quality sources to customers and library staff. Fully exploiting the KnowledgeShare current awareness service, and providing tailored bulletins should KnowledgeShare not meet individual needs. To contribute to and facilitate the outreach service development at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in line with the KLS communication and marketing plan, by actively seeking opportunities to network with colleagues internally at the Trust, in order to introduce them to Knowledge & Library Services, such as by attending departmental or team meetings. Additionally, actively engaging with stakeholders outside the Trust such as Public Health Staff at SCC, Public Library Staff and other relevant stakeholders in the Somerset health care community/ICS. To assist the Knowledge & Library Services Manager with the collation of impact case studies, to evidence impact of library & knowledge services and enable improvements, to support the NHS KLS Quality & Improvement Outcomes Framework. T To contribute towards ensuring the specifications and standards applied to the library service from external bodies (NHS KLS Quality & Improvement Outcomes Framework, multi-professional education contract, Royal College requirements etc) are met. To deputise for the Knowledge & Library Services Manager when appropriate and be responsible for library services and its staff in their absence, acting as supervisor for the enquiry service ensuring that junior staff are adhering to all procedures and offering training, mentorship and advise where appropriate. Make decisions on customer eligibility and be prepared to handle complaints and grievances. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Postgraduate library qualification (or working towards) and/or first degree Educated to 'A' Level standard Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Cert Ed or C&G PTLLS Level 4 (or working towards) Experience Essential Experience in the delivery of user education Experience of critical appraisal and complex literature searching using databases and web-based technology. Experience in the provision of enquiry services Experience working as part of a successful team, with demonstrable skills as a team player. Desirable At least 5 years recent experience of library work (preferably in the healthcare sector) Experience of marketing services and resources within an organisation Experience of delivering outreach services Additional Criteria Essential Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language Needs excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills and be able to demonstrate these in a variety of situations. Needs the confidence to interact with health care staff at all levels within the organisation, and with external stakeholders/partners, in order to understand their information needs. Needs to be able to communicate complex instructions to all levels of staff, adapting language appropriately. Needs to create a friendly and non-threatening environment for training sessions. Needs to converse with a range of technical personnel to report systems problems and seek solutions. Needs excellent interpersonal skills to forge relationships that will contribute to improved practice. Needs to be a customer service oriented person Ability to engage and influence staff within their area of responsibility, to actively promote library & knowledge services Needs good organisational skills and a methodical approach to work Needs to plan and organise own workload within a customer-led environment that is constantly changing. Needs to be self-motivated and have the ability to work on own initiative / unsupervised and to tight schedules Needs to plan, organise and deliver information skills training and evaluate its effectiveness. Needs to organise the day-to-day delivery of the library service in the absence of the Knowledge & Library Services Manager. Must have a current driving license and the use of a car Needs adequate vision to cope with computer display screens on a prolonged basis. Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients Needs to be able to understand complex requests for information and find and select appropriate material using NHS purchased resources, and wider "grey" literature as appropriate. Needs to be able to critically appraise information and make decisions on its validity and usefulness. Needs to make judgments on a daily basis as to the level of urgency of information requests and when it is appropriate to use expensive sources and services. Needs to be able to pitch library induction sessions and library information skills training to his or her audiences' ability. Sometimes this can be without any preparation time. Desirable Good general health Must be fit enough to climb on to a kick-step and move and handle heavy books and shelving Person Specification Qualifications Essential Postgraduate library qualification (or working towards) and/or first degree Educated to 'A' Level standard Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Cert Ed or C&G PTLLS Level 4 (or working towards) Experience Essential Experience in the delivery of user education Experience of critical appraisal and complex literature searching using databases and web-based technology. Experience in the provision of enquiry services Experience working as part of a successful team, with demonstrable skills as a team player. Desirable At least 5 years recent experience of library work (preferably in the healthcare sector) Experience of marketing services and resources within an organisation Experience of delivering outreach services Additional Criteria Essential Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language Needs excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills and be able to demonstrate these in a variety of situations. Needs the confidence to interact with health care staff at all levels within the organisation, and with external stakeholders/partners, in order to understand their information needs. Needs to be able to communicate complex instructions to all levels of staff, adapting language appropriately. Needs to create a friendly and non-threatening environment for training sessions. Needs to converse with a range of technical personnel to report systems problems and seek solutions. Needs excellent interpersonal skills to forge relationships that will contribute to improved practice. Needs to be a customer service oriented person Ability to engage and influence staff within their area of responsibility, to actively promote library & knowledge services Needs good organisational skills and a methodical approach to work Needs to plan and organise own workload within a customer-led environment that is constantly changing. Needs to be self-motivated and have the ability to work on own initiative / unsupervised and to tight schedules Needs to plan, organise and deliver information skills training and evaluate its effectiveness. Needs to organise the day-to-day delivery of the library service in the absence of the Knowledge & Library Services Manager. Must have a current driving license and the use of a car Needs adequate vision to cope with computer display screens on a prolonged basis. Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients Needs to be able to understand complex requests for information and find and select appropriate material using NHS purchased resources, and wider "grey" literature as appropriate. Needs to be able to critically appraise information and make decisions on its validity and usefulness. Needs to make judgments on a daily basis as to the level of urgency of information requests and when it is appropriate to use expensive sources and services. Needs to be able to pitch library induction sessions and library information skills training to his or her audiences' ability. Sometimes this can be without any preparation time. Desirable Good general health Must be fit enough to climb on to a kick-step and move and handle heavy books and shelving 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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Musgrove Park Hospital Musgrove Road Taunton Somerset TA1 5DA Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)