Play Specialist | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

We are looking for a dynamic Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join our well-established Play Service Team in caring for children at Leicester Children’s Hospital, supporting children through their hospital journey. The successful applicant will need to have the ability to implement developmental, therapeutic and specialised play to children and young people from birth to 16 years in an environment that changes constantly.

You will also have experience in preparation, distraction and post-procedural play techniques for a wide range of procedures and conditions. The role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to prioritise workloads, use your own initiative and be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service. You will need to be able to work independently and as part of a large multi-disciplinary team.

Core shifts are over a 7-day period between 07.30-19.00 hours and you will be required to work some weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis. Applicants must hold the Health Play Specialist qualification and be registered with SoHPS and also have a relevant level 3 child care qualification. You will also have a broad knowledge of child development with experience of working in a health care setting (hospital or community health).

Key Responsibilities:

• To meet the play and emotional needs of all children and their families attending the Children’s Services Directorate.
• To organise, initiate and supervise play for the sick child from birth to adolescents, appropriate to their development, medical condition and background.
• To maintain HPS portfolio demonstrating professional development and complying with re-registration requirements as a HPS.
• To be responsible for achieving standards of care set by example and direction.
• To support play audits and demonstrate flexibility when required to work in other areas.
• To participate in play team meetings and review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal.
• To attend mandatory training, keep abreast of current trends in play through reading literature and journals, and being supportive to change.
• To contribute to the education and training of child care students, work experience and volunteers, and other health care professionals in all aspects of play and development by demonstration of good practice, sharing of skills and knowledge.
• To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safely.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or department. Will work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings. Will assess individual child’s need and provide appropriate play activities both developmental and therapeutic taking into account social and cultural needs.

Facilitate appropriate play activities to assist the child and family in understanding the admission, medical and surgical procedures. Through competency training and assessment, the play specialist will be able to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate this role. Act as a communication link with other team members including hospital, community staff and outside agencies representing the child and their family.

To be involved in advising and supporting children, parents and other members in the play needs of children in the hospital. To understand and use nursing and play documentation to communicate relevant information and/or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word.

Will be responsible for writing the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of play sessions using the relevant play documentation through competency training and assessment.