Job Description

The closing date is 27th Jul 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) Possible Interview dates on Weds 30th July or Friday 1st August

Job summary

---------------


We are seeking a qualified and experienced library and information professional to provide ad-hoc support for our busy evidence search request service, delivering high quality information to colleagues in a timely manner, to enable excellent patient care, research and decision-making.

Previous experience of conducting detailed literature reviews or evidence searches, preferably in a health library setting is essential

.


Due to the flexible hours and nature of this role, remote working is a possibility, although you may occasionally be required to come onsite (Musgrove Park Hospital) for team updates or CPD. Or, you could work onsite if that was your preference.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

-----------------------------------------


The sole purpose of this role is to supply high quality information and evidence for patient care and service development within the Trust.


You will 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. You will then present the results to the requestor in the appropriate format, which may required summary and synthesis.


You will also 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. You will be fully exploiting the KnowledgeShare current awareness service, and providing tailored bulletins should KnowledgeShare not meet individual needs.

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 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.

Job description

-------------------


You must have an

undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in Library & Information Studies, and recent experience of conducting evidence searches

, preferably in the healthcare sector.


You will 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. You will then present the results to the requestor in the appropriate format, which may required summary and synthesis.


You will also 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. You will fully exploiting the KnowledgeShare current awareness service, and providing tailored bulletins should KnowledgeShare not meet individual needs.

This role is temporary, via the staff Bank. Hours will be negotiated on a weekly basis with your manager. Remote working is a possibility, although occasional visits to one of our library sites may be required.


We welcome informal enquiries - please call or e-mail us: Cate.Newell@somersetft.nhs.uk - 01823 342433

Person specification

------------------------

Qualifications

#

Essential

Postgraduate library qualification (or working towards) and/or first degree


Educated to 'A' Level standard


Evidence of continuing professional development


Highly developed IT skills within a networked and library environment


Highly competent usage of MS Office, web browser software and social media


Knowledge of relevant NHS legislation (Copyright)


Experience of critical appraisal and complex literature searching using databases and web-based technology.


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 plan and organise own workload within a customer-led environment that is constantly changing.


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 adequate vision to cope with computer display screens on a prolonged basis.

Experience

#

Essential

Experience working as part of a successful team, with demonstrable skills as a team player.


Experience of critical appraisal and complex literature searching using databases and web-based technology.


Experience in the provision of enquiry services.




#

Desirable

Proven years recent experience of library work (preferably in the healthcare sector)

For help with your application, contact:

Cate Newell


Cate.Newell@somersetft.nhs.uk


01823342433

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 5

Salary

31049.00 to 37796.00 Yearly

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible Working

Reference number

184-OL-BA-3010

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA