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- Tasks: Engage with children and families, organising play activities in a hospital setting.
- Company: Join ESNEFT, a leading NHS organisation serving nearly one million people in East Suffolk and North Essex.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 27 days annual leave, and access to NHS discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children is essential; NVQ Level 3 Child Care preferred.
- Other info: Full-time role with potential part-time options; training and development opportunities available.
The predicted salary is between 24625 - 25674 £ per year.
A rare opportunity has arisen to join our friendly, professional and supportive Play Team at Colchester General Hospital as a Hospital Play Assistant. The post within the Children's Service offers the opportunity for a qualified & registered play specialist to develop their skills within a supportive environment; however, applicants who do not possess this qualification will be considered.
This is a full-time position (for the right candidate we will consider part-time hours), working a combination of daytime and evening shifts, providing play and recreational activity for individual children/groups of children of any age in the hospital setting, helping to maintain a safe and child-focused environment where play occurs naturally.
Main duties of the job:- To meet and greet child/family attending hospital department, maintaining good communications with children, families and other visitors to the hospital.
- To organize, supervise and maintain play activities for individual/groups of children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.
- To plan a programme of daily play activities for the playroom/department in conjunction with Play Specialists.
- To use knowledge of child development when selecting play activities, promoting the normal development of children by using play as a development aid.
- Under the guidance of/as directed by Hospital Play Specialist, to select and apply therapeutic play programmes including preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post-procedural play.
- To document play interventions.
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Apart from supporting you to achieve your career goals, we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
For full details of the duties and responsibilities of this role, please see attached job description & person specification.
Person Specification:- Experience:
- Essential: Post qualification experience directly working with children/young people.
- Desirable: Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development; Experience of working as part of a team.
- Essential: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Desirable: IT Skills.
- Essential: Up to secondary school education; NNEB or NVQ Level 3 Child Care.
- Desirable: Hospital Play Specialist qualification.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Colchester Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL
Employer's website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/
Hospital Play Assistant employer: Candino CA
Contact Detail:
Candino CA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hospital Play Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children in a hospital setting. Understanding child development and how play can aid recovery will help you stand out during any informal discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Hospital Play Assistants or Play Specialists. They can provide insights into the role and may even offer tips on how to impress during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Visit the Colchester General Hospital or similar facilities if possible. This will give you a feel for the environment and allow you to ask questions that show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience working with children, especially in challenging situations. Highlighting your ability to engage and support children emotionally will be key in demonstrating your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Hospital Play Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Hospital Play Assistant position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have working with children or in a healthcare setting. Mention specific examples of how you've engaged with children and supported their development through play.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your communication skills, teamwork abilities, and any relevant qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 Child Care. Use concrete examples to demonstrate how these skills will benefit the Play Team at Colchester General Hospital.
Personalise Your Application: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager if possible, and express your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Mention why you want to work specifically at ESNEFT and how you align with their philosophy of 'Time Matters'.
How to prepare for a job interview at Candino CA
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and your understanding of child development. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your ability to engage with children and support their emotional and developmental needs.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle specific situations in a hospital setting. Think about scenarios involving play activities, communication with families, or managing challenging behaviours, and prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Teamwork Experience
Since the role involves working as part of a team, be ready to discuss your previous experiences collaborating with others. Provide examples of how you contributed to a team environment and supported colleagues in achieving common goals.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Hospital's Values
Research East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and understand their values and mission. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding patient care and community service.
