Health Sciences Informationist

The Health Sciences Informationist embraces, supports, and contributes to the missions of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The Informationist provides general research assistance, in-depth information consultation services, expert searching and synthesis, library resource training, and collection development. The Informationist develops and fosters relationships with the library’s users throughout the education, research, and clinical care enterprise. This position reports to Assistant Director for Research and Education Services at the Annette and Irwin Eskind Family Biomedical Library and Learning Center. Professional staff are expected to support and participate in system-wide library committees or other strategic initiatives as an integral component of their responsibilities. This is an on-site position, with the opportunity to work from home one day a week.

About the Work Unit:
The Health Sciences Informationist works in the Annette and Irwin Eskind Family Biomedical Library and Learning Center (EBL), one of nine libraries within the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. The Eskind Biomedical Library serves as the primary information resource for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The library consists of four units: Public Services, Research & Education Services, Collection Management, and Document Delivery Services. The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university's goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Liaison to the Vanderbilt University Biomedical and Health Sciences Community
• Supports the four themes of the Vanderbilt University Libraries Nascent Strategies by:
  • Responding to inquiries or requests from faculty, staff, and students.
  • Providing expert, in-depth reference, consultation, and information services to the Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center community.
  • Developing and teaching course/program-related instruction sessions and workshops.
  • Participating in Biomedical and other Heard Library orientation sessions for new faculty, staff, and students.
  • Participating in collection development for the Biomedical/Health Sciences community.
  • Promoting library services and resources through outreach activities, campus engagement, and event planning.
  • Developing relationships with university departments, institutes, or sponsored programs; working collaboratively on projects when possible.
  • Creating and maintaining subject guides relevant to the Vanderbilt University Biomedical and Health Sciences community.
  • Staffing the Eskind Biomedical Library service desk, when needed.
• Participates in library system, school, or institutional committees or strategic initiatives.
• Stays abreast of the professional literature and seeks opportunities for internal and external professional development.
• Contributes to the information science profession in the area of health sciences librarianship.
• Represents the library locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Education and Certifications:

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution, required.
• Additional degree or certificate in related discipline, preferred

Experience and Skills:

• 1-3 years’ experience in an academic research library.
• Strong service orientation with exceptional communication skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively teach and deliver presentations.
• Demonstrated capability to work both independently and collaboratively within teams.
• Knowledge of or interest in leveraging emerging technologies to enhance information service delivery.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Proficient knowledge of relevant information resources and the ability to understand research methodologies and biomedical content.
• Familiarity with the latest systematic review guidelines.
• Database searching and citation management skills to support systematic reviews.
• Experience with systematic review software (e.g., Covidence, Rayyan)

Preferred:

• Basic knowledge of data science or biomedical/health informatics objectives, methods, and tools.
• Experience or knowledge of designing and delivering systematic review instruction.
• Experience or knowledge of tools in the areas of Bibliometrics, Network Analysis, and Open Access Publishing