Apprentice - Library Support Assistant

Do you have excellent customer service skills and attention to detail? Would you like the experience of working in a hospital library whilst studying towards your Level 3 Library Apprenticeship.

We are recruiting a Library Apprentice to join our small friendly team and support the delivery of library services at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington. Primary responsibilities will include staffing the library issue desk and assisting users to loan and request materials by using the automated library management system. You will provide administrative support to the library team whilst helping to maintain the print collection and space.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Library Services team in the Postgraduate Medical & Dental Education Department on the PRUH site of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This new role will suit applicants who have excellent customer service skills and would like experience of working in a small NHS Library team.

As part of the role, you will work towards the completion of your Library, Information and Archives Services Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship, undertaking developmental opportunities which will contribute towards your 20% off the job learning.

You will be employed on an 18 month fixed term training contract of 37.5 hours per week. As this is an apprentice role:

• You will be given time during your working hours for study towards the apprenticeship to attend training sessions on the underpinning knowledge of procedures and policies that impact on the role.
• Training will be provided on site and virtually through direct teaching, observation, simulation and practical application.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Delivery of basic lending services i.e. loans and returns, reservations and registration of borrowers using the automated library management system.

Process inter-library loan requests following detailed procedures and ensuring service level agreement standards are met.

Photocopy and scan library materials requested by library users or other libraries.

Handle cash transactions raised through fines, photocopying and payments for a variety of services.

Assist library users with the use of computers, printers, photocopiers and other library software or hardware.

Respond to a range of user enquiries received in person or by email or telephone, referring more complex requests to senior staff as appropriate.

Undertake individual user induction providing an overview of library facilities and services to new users.

Assist in the maintenance of the library print collection, including shelving of books and journals in accurate sequential order, shelf tidying, participation in stock checks and weeding of old stock with guidance from senior staff.

Attend regular Library and Knowledge Services staff team meetings.

Provide additional administrative support where necessary.

Record statistics of library usage as required.

Ensure all services are provided in full accordance with relevant legislation including NHS Copyright Licence Agreements and Data Protection acts.

Personal Development

Undertake personal development activities as agreed with the Library & Knowledge Services Manager and the training provider. These include attending study days, internal and external courses and training activities in line with agreed objectives.

Participate in annual performance appraisal in line with the Trust policy.

Training will be provided on site and virtually and the successful applicant will be required to work towards:

• Level 3 Diploma in Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant
• Undertake End Point Assessment.