Research and Medical Education Librarian

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is seeking experienced, motivated, and dedicated leaders and educators to participate in the design and delivery of an innovative four-year medical school curriculum that engages medical students in active and novel learning.

Job Description:

Job Title: Research and Medical Education Librarian

Reports to: Senior Director of Library and Information Services

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Who We Are

Founded in 2021, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit, four-year MD program that will enhance traditional medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The school’s culture embraces self-care to empower students to care for their own well-being as well as their patients’. The school’s state-of-the-art medical education facility is in Bentonville, Arkansas on the Crystal Bridges campus, home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Heartland Whole Health Institute. The school has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

About The Position

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Library and Information Services, the Research and Medical Education Librarian plays a pivotal role in supporting the academic and research mission of the institution. This position combines instructional expertise with research support to empower students, faculty, and staff in their information-seeking endeavors. The librarian will develop and deliver information literacy instruction, provide in-depth research assistance, and collaborate with campus partners to enhance information services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support clinical faculty and affiliates through instruction, attending clinically relevant forums, and visiting clinical sites.
• Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with faculty, students, researchers, and staff in support of campus teaching, learning, and research.
• Collaborate with library, university, and hospital personnel on projects including grants, papers, poster presentations, research projects, or other creative undertakings.
• Design and present creative and practical instructional sessions and library outreach. Instruction would be expected to occur in-person and online, in settings such as classes, workshops, webinars, and one-on-one and small group meetings.
• Provide support with systematic reviews, expert searches, research consultations, meta-analysis, and other evidence synthesis projects.
• Keep current with the trends in medicine and library services and implement new services to provide research support for the School of Medicine.
• Build and maintain library support materials, including library guides, videos, Canvas course pages, discussion boards, chat service, and reference materials. 
• Provide expert advice and support for students, faculty, and staff in using citation management tools, evidence synthesis tools, and supporting evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrate professional development and service through presentations, publications, and/or active membership in professional organizations.
• Some early evenings and occasional weekend library reference services as needed during key times of the year.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree from an American Library Association accredited program, required
• Minimum of two years of experience in academic, medical, or health sciences libraries, required
• Experience providing instructional support to professional programs, required
• Strong service orientation with excellent written and verbal communication skills, required
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a diverse academic community, required
• Additional coursework or degree in health sciences, education, instructional design, informatics, or a related discipline, preferred
• Proficiency in conducting large-scale literature reviews, including scoping and systematic reviews, preferred
• Evidence of innovation in promoting library services, resource utilization, and educational programming for medical students, faculty, and staff, preferred
• Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong teaching skills, a commitment to service, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative academic environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, position requires sitting at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, and physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Requires frequent handling of books and other library materials and pushing loaded book trucks.  On an irregular basis, position may involve walking, pushing a loaded hand truck, shelving materials, moving materials on and off shelves. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work Environment: Work is performed full-time (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some local travel will be required, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.