Consumer Health Librarian - Health Sciences Library

Position Overview

The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library seeks a customer service-oriented Consumer Health Librarian for the Library for Health Information, a patient‑ and family‑focused resource center within the health system. This full‑time, non‑faculty staff librarian position operates both virtually and onsite, supporting the OSU Health System, the University, and the general public. The role is primarily onsite, reporting through the Health Sciences Library and funded by the OSU Wexner Medical Center.

• Select, acquire, and maintain a small collection of consumer health print and electronic materials for patients and families, to be distributed in person, electronically, or via self‑service literature racks in various locations throughout the medical center.
• Consult and provide consumer health information services to patients, families, and members of the community virtually via online consultation, phone calls, email, mobile kiosks, or other emerging technologies, or in person within the medical center or outreach event locations.
• Maintain an online guide of trusted consumer health information sources for the public, which could include internal and external content.
• Promote consumer health services and materials to internal and external customers.
• Provide educational and health‑literacy consults and classes to patients and the community.
• Occasionally provide group instruction on finding and using consumer health information to patients, families, the community, students and clinicians.
• Work collaboratively to develop robust partnerships with other medical center entities focused on patient education and experience, including establishing community partnerships.
• Collaborate with medical students, residents, nurses, and other clinicians to build awareness around Library for Health Information services and resources within the medical center or via outreach opportunities.
• Participate in up to 5 local outreach events per year.
• Maintain statistics and evaluate use of resources and services as needed.
• Partner with the James patient education department to offer services in the patient and family resource center, including training and oversight of volunteers.
• Initiate, participate in, and promote performance improvement, evaluation, and research activities related to patient/family education and health literacy.
• Collaborate with the health system and James patient education teams to ensure a cohesive approach to health literacy and patient education activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of consumer health resources and familiarity with searching health science databases.
• Familiarity with health literacy principles.
• Strong commitment to customer service.
• Comfort with technology such as Microsoft 365 Teams, social media, online meeting platforms, and emerging technologies such as AI.
• Comfort providing high‑quality reference and/or customer service via virtual means while also being comfortable working within an in‑person hospital environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8–12 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Project management and development experience.
• Library instruction and/or community outreach experience.
• Ability to transport, stock, and distribute print literature and other items to free‑standing information racks in medical center locations or outreach events.

• Master’s Degree in Library Sciences from an ALA‑accredited university preferred.
• Academic or hospital library experience.
• Completion of MLA Consumer Health Information Specialization.

Location: Prior Hall (0302)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled

Hours:

40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post‑offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. As required by Ohio Revised Code section , Ohio State will : educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly;

create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, holds them to equal standards and provides equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Job : J-18808-Ljbffr