Knowledge and Evidence Specialist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Knowledge & Evidence Specialist (Band 5) to join our Knowledge & Library Service at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Working closely with the Head of Knowledge & Library Services, you will help deliver a high-quality library and knowledge service to Trust staff and students on placement, supporting evidence-based practice, learning and informed decision-making across the organisation.

This is a varied role combining evidence searching, information skills training, digital services, customer support and promotion. You will undertake literature searches to support clinical and non-clinical decision-making and help staff find, evaluate and make effective use of high-quality evidence and information resources. You will also deliver information skills training and inductions, both face-to-face and remotely.

A key part of the role will be helping us increase the visibility and impact of the Knowledge & Library Service. You will contribute to promotional campaigns and materials, social media and digital content, while helping to ensure our online information and electronic resources remain accessible, relevant and up to date. You will also have opportunities to explore how new technologies, including emerging AI and automation tools, can support and improve library and knowledge services.

We are looking for someone with strong information searching, digital, communication and customer-service skills, who is confident working both independently and as part of a team. You will be enthusiastic about promoting library and knowledge services, keen to develop your skills and interested in using new technologies to improve the way we support our users.

The role is Band 5, permanent, up to 37.5 hours per week, with part-time applicants welcome and flexible working options available. The role will be based at one of our library sites in Dudley, Wolverhampton or Walsall, with some home working and cross-site working where required.

Main duties of the job

• Provide literature and evidence searches to support clinical and non-clinical decision-making, evaluating information sources and, where appropriate, producing evidence summaries.
• Deliver information skills training, inductions and support to individuals and groups, including literature searching and effective use of electronic resources, both face-to-face and remotely.
• Support staff and learners to access and make effective use of library systems, electronic resources, databases and online platforms.
• Promote the Knowledge & Library Service and the value of evidence-based practice through engagement with staff, promotional activity, digital content and social media.
• Develop and maintain content for the library's online presence, including the Trust intranet and other digital platforms, ensuring information remains accurate and current.
• Create promotional materials and evidence case studies demonstrating the impact and value of library and knowledge services.
• Support current awareness services and help identify opportunities to use new technologies.
• Support document supply services and the cataloguing, classification and maintenance of library stock and electronic holdings.
• Provide high-quality frontline customer service and support the supervision of library assistants, work-experience students and volunteers where required.
• Contribute to quality improvement, service evaluation and reporting by maintaining service statistics, metrics and evidence to support national and local requirements.

About us

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustprovides specialist mental health, learning disability, children's and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.

Across the whole of the region we provide:

• Adult and older adult mental health services
• Specialist learning disability services
• CAMHS

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, after NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving.

We currently employ over 4,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will support the Head of Knowledge and Library Services in delivering the full range of library and information services to staff and students on placement, in line with the Trust's library strategy, national accreditation standards and relevant service level agreements.

Based primarily at Bushey Fields Hospital, the role may require some cross-site working at other Trust locations as needed. The post holder will provide enquiry services, conduct evidence searches, and deliver education and training to staff and learners.

A creative flair and enthusiasm for promoting the service are essential, as the post holder will contribute to library branding and communications. An interest in and awareness of emerging AI tools relevant to knowledge and library services is also expected. The post holder will also actively seek opportunities to streamline and automate library workflows and processes to improve service efficiency

To raise the profile of the Knowledge & Library Service and support delivery of the library strategy, the post holder will work with the manager to ensure seamless access to library systems, electronic resources, and the service's online presence including SharePoint, MS Teams, the Trust intranet, internet pages, social media platforms and YouTube.

Person specification

Education

Essential

• Education at degree level
• Experience of working in a library environment.