Apprentice Library Information Assistant

This is a good opportunity to support staff in a specialist NHS clinical library at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as an Apprentice Library Assistant, working towards a qualification in Library Information and Archive Services, NVQ Level 3.

This is a fixed term post for 24 months, with the view of permanent appointment when qualification has been achieved. Please see job description and person specification for further details about the specific requirements of role.

To assist in the performance of the everyday functions of the library and information service, providing a prompt, efficient and user-focused service to support patient care, research, audit, clinical governance, training and education.

Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.

We specialise in conditions of the eyes (corneoplastics), hands, head and neck cancer and skin cancer, reconstructive breast surgery, maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics, providing regional and national services in these areas of clinical expertise. Our world-leading clinical teams also treat more common conditions of the eyes, hands, skin, and teeth for the people of East Grinstead and the surrounding areas. In addition, QVH provides a minor injuries unit, expert therapies, a sleep service, and a growing portfolio of community-based services. Patients consistently rate QVH amongst the top hospitals in the country for quality of care.

Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.

**Enquiries**:

- Research and find information requested by enquirers, using online databases, and other sources of information, passing complex enquiries on to a more senior member of library staff.
- Obtain from and provide to other libraries resources which have been requested using appropriate procedures, helping to ensure accurate record keeping.

**Library Stock and Records**:

- Prepare and process newly acquired resources, both physical and digital and help make sure they can easily be found by customers.
- Assist in maintaining library stock in all formats, suggesting items for replacement and withdrawal. Notify Senior Library Assistant of gaps in stock.
- Assist with the disposal of withdrawn items.
- Access databases, textbooks and journals and record activity data as required nationally, regionally and locally by the Library Services Manager.
- Ensure that all items on subscription and newly bought items such as textbooks are received on time and notify the Senior Library Assistant if there are any problems with purchases such as the condition of stock or delay in receiving items. This includes both physical and digital items.
- Maintain and operate the library management system. This includes; adding new members, issuing, discharging and requesting resources from other libraries.

**Electronic Equipment**:

- Monitor working condition of photocopier, printers, and other equipment and initiate maintenance and supplies as appropriate.
- Assist users when they encounter problems with equipment, clearly communicating with colleagues about any challenges.
- Sign-up to become a designated ‘Printer Champion’ for the library and receive advanced training on how to use the printer, sharing this information with other library staff and customers to help answer questions.

**Service Development and Administration**:

- Support the promotion and marketing of the library service, including helping with inductions of groups of library users with various roles, sometimes working independently.
- Transferring completed library registration forms from corporate induction, to the library management system to activate membership in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Have knowledge of and comply with relevant legislation, including GDPR and Copyright and, where unsure, consult with more senior library staff.
- Take written minutes at library team meetings and file electronic copy in shared library folder.
- Make suggestions for changes and service improvements to library policies and procedures which may impact upon other libraries in the region. Assist the Senior Library Assistant and Library Services Manager to make change where necessary.

**Personal and Professional Development**:

- Participate in the Trust’s annual appraisal system designed to identify objectives and personal development opportunities.
- Ensure that all mandatory training is up to date.
- The post holder will be responsible for continually maintaining their working knowledge of local practices, policies and procedures and highlight ongoing training and development needs to their manager.

**General**:

- Carry out any other appropriat