The University of Iowa Libraries is seeking a collaborative and service-oriented Clinical Education Librarian at the Specialist Librarian classification (PLB2/4A) to join the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences. The librarian will serve as the primary liaison to the Carver College of Medicine (CCOM) Medical Doctorate (MD) and Physician Assistant (PA) education programs and reports to the CCOM Lead Clinical Education Librarian. The incumbent will also serve as liaison librarian to the residents, fellows, staff, and faculty of several CCOM departments.
Through embedded course instruction and consultations, the librarian will educate students on library resources, literature searching, evidence based clinical practice/critical appraisal of the medical literature, and research tools. The liaison supports Iowa’s highly ranked PA education program, uniquely designed so that PA students attend classes with MD students during their first three semesters. This role supports the MD students in Iowa City and Des Moines through the preclinical, core clinical, & advanced clinical phases of medical school. The librarian will participate on education committees to connect library resources and skills to the curriculum.
In these roles, the librarian will support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty and students across these disciplines and related programs. The incumbent will also participate in library-wide initiatives and programming that enhances the Libraries’ role within the broader University community.
Key Areas of Responsibilities and Job Duties:
Instruction, Consultation, and Research Services
• Develop and conduct library education sessions customized for assigned liaison groups.
• Provide evidence-based clinical practice instruction within the MD and PA education programs and other groups, including residency and fellowship programs.
• In support of research and education, assist patrons with research skills, literature searching, and information management tools and maintain research guides for assigned programs and departments, enabling the discovery of library collections.
• Provide systematic searching for evidence synthesis projects for or as a member of research teams.
• Provide information and circulation services at the public service desk in-person and via telephone, email, and chat/instant messenger.
Leadership/Staff and Resource Management/Financial Responsibility
• Cultivate relationships with liaison areas to identify opportunities for library partnerships with education and research programs.
• Represent the UI Libraries and Hardin Library as a member of CCOM curriculum committees.
• Assist in Libraries strategic planning at the unit or department level; collaborate to implement strategic vision and goals.
Continuous Learning & Skills Development
• Seek out new learning opportunities based on the needs and direction of the departments.
• Engage with the professional literature and attend events such as webinars, workshops, and conferences.
• Attend institutes or other specialized learning courses (e.g., Critical Appraisal Institute for Librarians) for skill development in teaching evidence based clinical practice.
• Attend or complete specialized learning courses (e.g., MLA Systematic Review Services Specialization) for skill development in supporting evidence synthesis projects.
Professional Contributions
• Stay informed about innovations, trends, and developments in health sciences librarianship through engagement with professional organizations.
• Acquire and maintain skills by participation in the profession through service, research, publishing, and/or teaching.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant library, health sciences, or university activities and committees.
Qualifications
Required Education
• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library/information science.
Required Qualifications
• Two years professional experience working in academic libraries, health sciences libraries, or hospital libraries that primarily serve healthcare providers.
• A strong interest in the field of health sciences librarianship demonstrated through professional experience, academic coursework, professional organization involvement, continuing education, or other experiences.
• Ability to work independently and with others in a demanding and rapidly changing environment where flexibility, collaboration, consultation, and cooperation are essential.
• Demonstrated experience providing tailored instructional sessions to students, faculty, or staff that provide library resources, information literacy or evidence-based practice skills, or research concepts and skills.
• Demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate’s value to the Libraries, the University, and the profession.
• Ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment in a job-related experience, an academic setting, or the community.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and evidence of strong written and oral communication skills.
Desired Qualifications:
• Demonstrated skill in using health sciences information resources (e.g., PubMed, CINAHL) and knowledge of emerging trends (e.g., artificial intelligence) in health sciences librarianship.
• Experience in health sciences literature searching and/or providing searching and educational support for evidence synthesis projects (e.g., systematic reviews, scoping reviews) or a demonstrated interest in learning this methodology.
• Training in or experience teaching evidence based clinical practice (e.g., critical appraisal of the biomedical literature) or a demonstrated interest in learning these skills.
• Experience using research and learning tools, such as citation managers (e.g., EndNote), LibGuides, and course management software.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission of a research university and the mission and functions of a large research library.
Application Details:
Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website.
In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:
1. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet each of the required and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all required qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.
2. Current resume
This job ad will be posted for a minimum of three weeks with a priority deadline of August 23, 2026, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that date. Please contact andrea-rost@uiowa.edu if you have any questions about the position.
The hiring salary range for this Specialist Librarian position is $55,000 - $74,000.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
This position is eligible for on-campus and/or hybrid remote work within Iowa, with the majority of work time being on campus, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
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