Mid-Semester Analysis and Reflections

As we commence the mid half of the semester I am happy with how much I am learning in this class.  My initial thought was that I already knew where I was headed in my career and this class would not benefit me.  However, I have learned a great deal about the field of library science.  The work I have done in this class so far has also led me to change my mind about going into archival studies.  I originally wanted to work in a hospital archive.  After recently visiting a hospital archive I have changed my mind.  While I am still interested in the learning how to accurately archive data, I feel I would not thrive in that environment.
Working in a medical library on a daily basis has revived my interest in the field of library science.  I think the work we do here is so valuable.  I found that while I would love to preserve information for future generations, I have more of an interest in providing the most up to date research for academics. 
I am also happy to learn about the many other library theme jobs.  Being enrolled in the MLIS program has provided me with a fantastic way to review many LIS job listings in my email.  It is fantastic to see that there are many different job openings and opportunities to intern.  I find myself wanting to apply for every internship opportunity that arises (even though I know this is not possible).  
I have taken the opportunity to apply for the British Study abroad program offered through the University of Southern Mississippi.   I discovered this opportunity from Wayne State.  I am really excited about traveling to England and Scotland touring their various libraries.  I would never be able to visit these libraries on my own.  I am really looking forward to meeting other library science students from other states and making connections with them.  This will help me to expand my network.  I am open to the possibility of having to relocate out of the state of Michigan to find a job in library science.  This study abroad opportunity will help me explore that possibility. 

Job Analysis Part 2

As I stated earlier, I am currently employed at a hospital library.  I believe this will be a great asset for my future as a health sciences librarian.  The job announcement that I posted for part 1 of my job analysis is that of a librarian in the medical science field.  It is offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs.  This means, it is not only a health science library job but also a federal job.  Personally, working for the federal government would be favorable to me because they offer many benefits and great wages.

My background consists of public library work, as well as hospital library service.   This has prepared me to interact with a wide variety of patrons.  I am able to converse with health care professionals using medical terminology but, also with the patients/general public in layman’s terms.   Of course, I could always use more time to study medical terminology.

To prepare for a job as a medical librarian for the federal government, I am currently enrolled in the School of Library Science at Wayne State pursuing my MLIS.  During my MLIS education I will gear my course work towards a health sciences outlook.  This summer I am enrolled in a program with the University of Southern Mississippi to study library science in London, England.  During that time I will be touring various libraries in the United Kingdom.  All graduate students on the trip will be required to visit some libraries solo.  I will use that opportunity to explore various hospital or health science libraries.  As a number of the physicians and patients I come in contact with on a daily basis have earned their education in other countries.  This experience will better prepare me for differences in culture and sometimes communication.    

One very important way I can prepare for a job in a Veterans hospital library is to volunteer at one.  The John D. Dingell Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Library is a near-by Veterans hospital library.  I did not realize when I did my library tours how close this hospital was or I would have visited. 

Job Analysis Part 1

I currently work at a medical library and I believe that is where my career path will lead.  Here is a job posting that I recently found.  This is the type of job I would be interested in after I earn my MLIS.

This job would require me to move from my current state of Michigan to Massachusetts.  This job is for a veterans hospital. While I already have experience in working in a hospital library, I would like to sharpen my research skills.  I assume this job would be reporting to a director or senior librarian at the hospital. 

The duties assign would require the librarian to answer reference questions for physicians.  Also, it sounds like the librarian at this position would assist veterans in finding medical information.  In my current position I do all of the research requests for community members.  If a patient calls asking for information on their specific disease I will run the search and gather education materials for them.  The job above would be the type of job I would desire because, I find medical librarianship very rewarding.  It would also be a pleasure to assist veterans who have served their country so valiantly.  The job listed about also specifies that the librarian hired would have to instruct staff members on how to use e-books and journals.  I already perform many of the duties listed in this job description. 

Job Title:LIBRARIAN (MEDICAL SCIENCE)

 Department:Department Of Veterans Affairs

 Agency:Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

 Job Announcement Number:VN-14-NDG-1048169

SALARY RANGE:

$52,390.00 to $68,660.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

 Tuesday, February 18, 2014 to Monday, February 24, 2014

SERIES & GRADE:

 GS-1410-09

POSITION INFORMATION:

 Full Time - Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:

3 vacancies in the following location(s):

Bedford, MA View Map<https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/361877700>

Boston, MA View Map<https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/361877700>

Northampton, MA View Map<https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/361877700>

WHO MAY APPLY:

United States Citizens

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Other

SUPERVISORY STATUS:

No

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy ID: 1048169

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service. If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans.

The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

America's Veterans need you! To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

 *   Occasional Travel

 *   Travel is required between Bedford, MA and Manchester, NH as needed

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

 *   No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

 *   You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.

 *   You may be required to serve a probationary period

 *   Background investigation may be required.

These positions are located at the VA New England Health Care System, in Boston, MA, Bedford, MA/Manchester, NH,  and Northampton, MA*. The person in this position assists users while developing comprehensive skills to provide and promote evidence-based patient-centered care by teaching information literacy skills, and providing clinical decision and research support.  Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 *   Assists in locating materials and how to access/use online resources;

 *   Provides reference service as a team member on E-reference service;

 *   instructs and assists staff in the use of databases, e-journals, e-books, etc.;

 *   Participates in the acquisition, processing and de-activation of library materials;

 *   Communicates frequently and articulately with customer groups and teams (clinicians, Service Chiefs, house staff, etc.);

 *   Supports the implementation of decision support and knowledge-based content on the Knowledge and Information Services Center's intranet site;

 *   Works with senior Librarians to assist collecting usage measures and statistics electronically;

 *   Participates in local and regional information networks;

 *   Assists in the compilation of usage, cost and effectiveness statistics on all e-content and Library Services;

 *   Works on statistical reports and works to improve quality and/or identify opportunities for redesign; and

 *   Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time positions: Monday through Friday; 8:00AM - 4:30PM; Part-time position: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 4 days a week (Work schedule may vary based on the day and/or time to suit work practices)

Professional Associations

Since my future goal is to become a Medical Librarian, the two associations I chose are
MDMLG – Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group
MLA-Medical Library Association
MDMLG- Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group.  If I stay in Michigan, after I earn my MLIS, I am sure I will join MDMLG.  My manager has an individual membership and our hospital has an institutional membership to the group.  My manager, Valerie Reid, is also the webmaster of the group.  Members of the group include librarians, LIS students and paraprofessionals who are involved in medical libraries.  It is specific to hospital, academic and special libraries in the Metropolitan Detroit Area.
The group is a great way to meet with your local colleagues, make connections and have the potential to collaborate on projects with them.  It also offers the opportunity to learn about local jobs on their joblist and hear about upcoming continued education classes.  Recently, because of my manager being an MDMLG member, she was able to share information with me about a local PubMed training class offered by the National Library of Medicine.  This class will teach me to train other people on how to use PubMed for their research. 
Last summer, I was able to attend the MDMLG summer/business luncheon meeting with my manager.  It was a great way for me to meet other medical librarians in the area.  Attending the luncheon helped me to make my decision to return to school to earn my LIS degree. 
MLA-Medical Library Association- MLA is a national association comprised of librarians, paraprofessionals and students of LIS.  Their website also offers a membership to international professionals.  I plan on purchasing a membership to this group after I earn my MLIS. 
Membership to this association is beneficial to health science librarians.  It offers free and discounted subscriptions to various medical library publications.  Institutional members can receive replacement journals through a system of MLA exchange.  Just as in the case of MDMLG, members can network and exchange ideas. 
The MLA website has an excellent section about mentorship.  It offers information on how MLA members can become mentors or find a mentor.  MLA also offers information on how to become a member of Librarians Without Borders (LWB).  LWB is an organization that wants to improve access to training on how to use a library for research, to anyone in the word.  MLA sees LWB as a way to help provide medical research information to doctors and healthcare workers in developing countries or during times of disasters or epidemics.