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Job summary

Main area
Apprenticeship
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Fixed term: 21 months (Apprenticeship)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday (8.30-16:30))
Job ref
Transfer Window
Employer
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Poole Hospital
Town
Poole
Salary
£24,465 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/01/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust logo

Library Technician Apprentice

Band 2

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce. 

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

We’re excited to offer this opportunity within our Admin & Clerical workforce.

As part of our new Transfer Window process, we’re making it easier for colleagues to move into roles where their skills are needed most. This approach helps us fill vacancies quickly and supports career development across the Trust.

How to apply:
Please do not apply via Trac. Instead, complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form using this link - Transfer Window Form – Fill in form. The form includes a short skills assessment to help us match your experience to the role.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust are looking to welcome an apprentice into Knowledge and Library Services, who will work as an integral member of the team whilst  completing their Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant Level 3  Apprenticeship: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/library-information-and-archive-services-assistant-v1-0

This full-time, fixed term role is embedded in our on-site libraries across Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals. This role gives the post holder valuable NHS Library experience and recognised qualification to start a career in Librarianship. 

You will be given one paid study day per week in a fully funded, 18-month apprenticeship course which aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals for Certified Member (ACLIP)
  • Archive and Records Association for Foundation Member (FMARA)

Base Location: Poole Hospital with occasional cross site working at Royal Bournemouth Hospital when required.

Interview Date: TBC

Main duties of the job

Whilst studying on your Apprenticeship, your day-to-day duties will include:

  • Supporting library users in general enquiries, book loans, accessing online content, journals, eBooks, eDocs and archives
  • Market library services and events to support the promotion of health literacy amongst the general public and hospital patients
  • Support NHS staff to develop their skills and knowledge in researching, gathering information, and applying evidence-based knowledge to their clinical practice
  • Provide library inductions and orientations
  • Responsible for library administration, data entry, cataloguing, archiving, loan database management, email, telephone and face-to-face enquiries
  • Be a first point of contact for library users
  • Responsible for ensuring the library areas remain a pleasant, safe and inclusive space for all users
  • Close working relationships with the librarians to support service improvements, projects and events
  • Support the team in stock and catalogue maintenance, turnover, data accuracy and inter-library loans
  • Self-directed study to complete the Apprenticeship Programme within the 18 month timeline, ensuring assignments and portfolios are submitted on time, and to a high quality
  • Attend regular reviews with your line manager and Apprenticeship Tutor

Working for our organisation

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in  the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other.

The Knowledge and Library Service is a large, supportive team providing services across East  Dorset.

As part of the wider Education and Training Team, there are two physical library spaces across UHD:

  • Poole Hospital
  • Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Our outreach programmes also expand to events and visiting library services in public  libraries across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and in our satellite hospital in  Christchurch.

The Knowledge and Library Services Team is well established and encourages life-long  learning.

This is a full-time position.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term.  Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview.

For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust’s Secondment Policy. Please speak with your line manager before applying. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The ideal applicant will be organised, practical and have a logical mind.

Attention to detail is fundamental to the role and you will be supported to grow these skills as part of your training.

We are looking for an individual who is forward thinking, looking to initiate a career in librarianship, has a thirst for imparting and sharing knowledge with others with a kind and compassionate approach.

Our commitment to you:

  • Full induction programme
  • Twice weekly team huddles
  • Monthly one-to-one reviews with your line manager
  • Monthly Education and Training meetings
  • Three-monthly reviews with your line manager and tutor
  • Protected study leave (one day per week)
  • Fully funded tuition fees
  • Personal Development Plan and annual Appraisal

Please note that it is a national requirement to have a literacy and numeracy qualification to  access an apprenticeship. This is detailed in the attached Person Specification.

We welcome general enquiries and can offer an informal visit to our library for you to discuss the role further.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Literacy (GCSE English C Grade or above OR Functional Skills Level 2)
  • Numeracy (GCSE Maths C Grade or above OR Functional Skills Level 2)
Desirable criteria
  • Literacy and numeracy to A level or NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent standard
  • Information Technology: • GCSE IT/Computing at C Grade or above, or • ECDL or equivalent
  • Information and Library Services City & Guilds/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Experience and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Basic understanding of relevant legislation, e.g. GDPR
  • Customer service experience
  • Clerical and administrative work including accurate filing
  • Using Microsoft Office software
  • Internet Searching skills
  • Accurate inputting onto database systems
Desirable criteria
  • NHS experience
  • Library experience
  • Basic research skills, including referencing
  • Using social media for business marketing
  • Editing webpages

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability Confident - two yearsUHD ValuesApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into health

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sam Thomas
Job title
Knowledge and Library Services Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 019 3551
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