Your library needs you! Why you should consider becoming a Specialist Advisor
26 Jan 2018
Kirsty Morrison
The RCS Library currently produces Current Awareness Updates for eight surgical specialty areas, and will cover all specialties by April 2018. Information Specialists go through the most recent relevant journals to select and critically appraise articles, and organise them into a concise email format to provide the most up-to-date clinical evidence for our Members and Fellows.
Each Update has a panel of voluntary Specialist Advisors (made up of RCS Members and Fellows) who provide professional knowledge, expertise and advice in relation to the content of their surgical specialty or subspecialty. This involves reading over a preview of each Update, and suggesting edits or additions to the content by email. This usually takes our Advisors 1-2 hours every 2 months.
Why volunteer?
The role is suitable for certification as a formal professional development activity. Each Specialist Advisor is awarded an annual certificate recognising their participation, which can be included in their annual appraisal documentation. For other CPD assistance, watch out for an upcoming blog post on how to complete your CPD reflection form.
Specialist Advisors’ names are listed on each distributed and archived Current Awareness Update to acknowledge their work and contributions.
The Advisors have a unique insight into the Current Awareness Updates and are able to shape the service as they think best fits the needs of their specialty. For example, we have expanded the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Update to incorporate new general interest sections, and the Paediatric Surgery Update to include emergency and trauma surgery. The Current Awareness team appreciates suggestions from Advisors, and the feedback we have had so far demonstrates that being involved is also helpful in keeping advisors up to date.
Who can volunteer?
We are currently recruiting for Specialist Advisors for the following specialties:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Otolaryngology
We welcome RCS Members and Fellows from all career grades, and aim to get a mix of subspecialty interests on each panel.
How do I volunteer?
Information on the role of Specialist Advisor can be found in the role description. If you would like to apply, please complete and return an expression of interest form, or contact us for an informal discussion about the role.
Kirsty Morrison, Information Specialist