Heath Service Librarian
The Role
A health service librarian acts as the medium between the health-care information and the medical practitioner. They collect and organize relevant documentation to help with patient care, further education, administration and research.
The days of librarians being all about books are long past. As well as paper-based mediums such as journals, online resources like digital database information systems are becoming more common-place.
Health service librarians are integral to the success and development of the health service world-wide. It is through their collection, organization and presentation of relevant material that the health care community can continue to share information and make huge progress in successful diagnosis, care and treatment of the world's most prevalent diseases.
Educational Requirements
Librarianship in any sector requires a comprehensive education, including challenging high school courses such as English, information management, and math. Sciences, in particular biology or chemistry, are also particularly helpful if you plan to work in the health care sector.
After high school there are two routes of career progression available.
Health Service Library Technician
It is possible, although not always easy, to gain a health service library technician post as a high school graduate. This allows a person interested in becoming a health service librarian to assess whether the career path is suitable before spending considerable amounts of money on a university education or additional degrees.
Also, some institutes offer funding that allows their employees to gain undergraduate and Master's degrees to aid progression up the career ladder.
The starting salary is considerably lower than that of health service librarian, ranging from $20,000 to $30,000, and the educational process of attaining a degree to enable career development is often more time consuming, meaning it can take many years to achieve the desired qualifications.
Health Service Librarian
To enter straight into the role of health service librarian, a degree in a life sciences must be acquired and accompanied by an accredited Master's in information management.
Having the qualifications and, if possible, a vocational placement, makes it more likely for a applicant to gain a suitable job position. Additionally, the starting salary ranges from $40,000 to $50,000.
Unfortunately, the cost of further education rises every year, and the funds required to pay for the necessary degrees are considerable. Additionally, not all courses offer vocational placements, and many employers view a lack of experience as a serious obstacle to employment.
If you are considering your future career, or planning to make a change and move into a different sector, health librarianship is a fascinating role, and it is essential to consider all the options available as you make your decision.
