Band 3 - Library and Knowledge Services Assistant, Corporate

West Herts Hospitals; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Watford is seeking a Band 3 Library and Knowledge Services Assistant to join Watford General Hospital's library team. You will manage the enquiries desk, help NHS staff locate information, and support cataloguing and access to resources.

The role covers administrative duties such as processing new membership registrations, sending overdue reminders, and creating promotional content, with hours Monday–Friday 9am–5pm and occasional support to the

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths and English at A–C or equivalent.
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Library, Information and Archive Services.
• Proficient with databases and MS Office; hospital environment experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate enquiries desk and help NHS staff locate information.
• Catalogue new books and manage library system entries.
• Process new memberships, reminders for overdue books, and usage data.
• Promote library services and create publicity materials.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Clear communicator

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English

Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant – Level 3 Apprenticeship

Tools

Library Management System

MS Office

Databases

Job description

Search job vacancies

Did you know you can receive job alerts via WhatsApp?

Important: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including job applications, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers.

If you receive a job offer or recruitment communication and are unsure whether it is genuine, please verify it using the contact details published on this website. Any request for payment should be treated as fraudulent.

Band 3 - Library and Knowledge Services Assistant, Corporate

Band 3

Main area Corporate Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-E-11762

Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford General Hospital Town Watford Salary £27,106 - £28,850 pa inc. HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

This role provides NHS staff with access to the information needed for their decision-making, education, research and development. It involves identifying a person’s information needs, locating the required information, and supplying it in the most relevant format available.

The position will also provide a core role in supporting many of the administrative processes involved in a functioning library.

This work will take place within the library at Watford General Hospital, with occasional support to the department’s other library on the St Albans City Hospital site. Working hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Successful applicants without a level 3 Library and Information Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship or equivalent qualification would be expected to complete the course after starting, funded by the Trust.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ

Please note - we are unable to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (Work Permit) for this role.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role relate to operating an enquiries desk to help NHS staff find the most relevant information, resource or service that meets their needs.

This will involve searching in a variety of databases, systems and schemes for a required book or article, before acquiring a copy of the publication and getting it to the person requesting it.

The role will also provide much of the administrative support necessary to meet the demands of the department, such a processing new registration applications to the library system, or keeping track and notifying someone when they are late returning their book.

A good understanding of ICT will be needed, as well as troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, creativity, attention to detail, being flexible in a team, open to adaptation and change, able to show initiative on own development, manage distractions, prioritise appropriately during variable workloads, good customer service skills and the confidence to be a clear communicator.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role is responsible for searching and supplying requested publications to NHS staff, and to operate an enquiries desk to assist in enabling them to access the information they need. This can often involve training library users in how to use the information resources available.

The position features classification and cataloguing of new books to the library system, as well as shelving books and keeping the collections tidy.

There will be administrative responsibilities, such as processing new membership registrations, sending reminders to return overdue books, and recording usage data of library services.

This role also includes duties surrounding the promotion of the library services, and creating promotional content.

Good working relationships will be needed with the rest of the Library and Knowledge Services Team, as well as the other educational departments, such as Medical Education, Learning and Development and Simulation.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level including Maths and English grades A – C or equivalent
• Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant – Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Knowledge

• Proficient user at intermediate level of databases and all MS Office packages.
• Reasonable knowledge of office management processes
• Working within a hospital or similar environment.

Experience

• Organising events and activities
• Range of work procedures and practices.
• Basic understanding of relevant legislation e.g. data protection and copyright.
• Knowledge and use of Library specific software and hardware including Library Management System.
• Knowledge and use of health databases & internet resources.
• Experience of working within a Library/training administration environment.
• NHS experience.
• Creating publicity material.
• Working in a busy administrative role.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

Name Samuel Stormont Job title Library and Knowledge Services Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01923 217437

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone [phone]