What is a Medical Librarian?

It can be a bit surprising where some things intersect successfully. Chocolate and oranges. Opera and organ music. Abbott and Costello. These are combos that didn’t seem likely when first proposed, but which have wounded proving to be winning combinations.

The last thing you might expect when visiting the website for USC’s Library Science Masters would be anything related to the medical field. And yet, about midway down, there it is.

the Master of Management in Library and Information Science provides training in leadership, business and management to help mold the leaders of tomorrow’s information culture – not just in libraries, but in museums, businesses, government agencies, medical centers and a vast array of other professional settings.

Medical centers, huh? What does a librarian do at a medical center? Lend out year old magazines to patients? Organize files?

How about save lives?

What is a Medical Librarian?

Medical librarians are specialists in their field. Like other librarians you can expect them to organize and catalog medical materials in both print and electronic formats. These medical libraries can provide highly useful reference material for medical professionals working in the medical centers possessing such libraries. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals can check out the latest research from medical journals or select a book on haematopoiesis for a little light reading during lunch.

The truly lifesaving nature of their jobs is displayed with their research skills. Trained librarians know the ins and outs of print and digital media research in all formats. This enables them to quickly and efficiently collect any materials relevant to medical cases occurring in their facility, organize and summarize it, and deliver it to a doctor in a timely manner.

This can be a lifesaver in some circumstances. With an ongoing shortage of critical medical professionals, physicians and nurses are having to spend increasing amounts of time directly with patients, reducing the time they have to spend on researching symptoms and treatments. Equipped with a preliminary diagnosis, a medical librarian can quickly collect vital information and forward it on to the physician for action while the doctor can remain focused on patients.

Nasra Gathoni is a medical librarian in Kenya. She recently shared her story with Elsevier Connect. In the article she spoke of her role in the Aga Khan University Hospital. “Doctors would ask me to search for the latest evidence-based information to improve or save the life of a patient,” she explained. “I could get hundreds of online journal articles for free with the click of a finger. The excitement was amazing.”

There are several different paths available for those interested in a career as a medical librarian. One, of course, is to enroll in a traditional library sciences program through an accredited university and specialize in medical publications and research through a program like that offered by Rutgers University. A second option would be to approach it from an Information Technologies perspective, obtaining a degree in Health Informatics and specializing in research. The third, of course, is to gain your LPN and specifically engage in collecting data on patient illnesses until you naturally slip into the role.

Regardless of which approach you take, combining the skills of a librarian with a career in the medical field is more than just a recipe for success. It’s a life-saving opportunity. Research Librarian jobs often fall within the category of Health information Technicians, so for career and salary information, check out the HCSW page here.