Licensure/Certification Certification is voluntary and may be obtained from the Medical Library Association (MLA). The Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP), sponsored by MLA, recognizes contributions to the profession and career achievement. Continuing education hours are required every year for certification renewal, which occurs every five years. Salary The average hourly wage for a health sciences librarian was $27.93 in 2009. Educational Programs Master's Degree Florida State University University of South Florida Doctor of Philosophy Florida State University Professional Associations American Library Association American Medical Informatics Association Medical Library Association Special Libraries Association

Health sciences librarians impact the quality of patient care directly by helping physicians, allied health professionals, and other members in health care stay current in the latest developments in specialty care. They do this by identifying, accessing, organizing and sharing current, well-researched, evidence-based health information with physicians, nurses, dentists, allied health professionals, medical faculty, students, patients, and consumers. They also help develop and support programs that make healthcare information easily available and teach healthcare professionals how to access it efficiently.

Medical librarians need the ability to communicate well in both oral and written format, as well as the ability to use appropriate technologies to organize and disseminate it. Creativity and an orientation to service are other markers for success in this field.

They may perform the basic services and functions needed to manage a library collection: 1) select and purchase books, periodicals, and other multimedia materials, 2) catalog and organize those materials, 3) assist users in locating information, 4) administer the library--budgeting, planning, and personnel management. Health sciences librarians teach people to use computer databases, to search the Internet, to find information, and to evaluate the information they need and to develop other information-gathering skills. Sophisticated, integrated information management systems provide librarians opportunities to collaborate with clinicians in web page and database development.

Work Environment
Health sciences librarians work in many settings, including medical centers or hospitals, medical, dental, nursing, veterinary medicine, and allied health schools, health professional organizations, research facilities, pharmaceutical firms, government agencies and as independent information brokers. While most work 40-hour weeks, part-time work is also available. In some libraries, librarians may supervise library technical assistants or other librarians.

Job Outlook
According to the Medical Library Association, a large number of retirements are expected in the next decade and will result in many job openings for medical librarians to replace those who leave.

Length of Training/Requirements
The basic education is a bachelor's degree in liberal arts or a life science and a master's degree in library science from a school accredited by the American Library Association. Special courses related to this field, for example understanding of biomedical references, principles of organization of information in the biomedical sciences, and computer databases such as MEDLINE from the National Library of Medicine, are available at many library schools. Most MLS degrees can be completed in one year and some are offered by distance education.

Advancement
A master's degree is required for entry-level positions. However, with additional experience, subject expertise, and/or Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) membership, one may advance to college teaching or a top administrative post.