Health Play Specialist / Assistant Development Post

This is an exciting opportunity for either a second year student Health Play Specialist undertaking the Fda course in Healthcare Play Specialism, or for a fully qualified registered Health Play Specialist. You will be joining our team and be part of an established service promoting specialised play and therapeutic intervention for children and young people in our care. The post holder will work within the Multi Professional Team to ensure that the needs of the children and young people are met and a positive hospital experience is achieved. This post is for part-time 22.5 hours.

Only candidates who meet the essential qualification will be considered for this post. Please note if you are still studying and yet to achieve qualification and registration you will be employed as a band 3. You will be uplifted to a band 4 upon completing your qualification and receiving your registration. Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday 5th Feb.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a welcoming environment for children and young people of all ages and abilities where specialised play is promoted and used to reduce anxiety, alleviate boredom and aid in recovery.
• Display advocacy towards the child or young person at all times to ensure all aspects of holistic care are met.
• Use effective preparation, distraction and post procedural play to support each patient and their families through the necessary procedure or treatment helping to develop coping strategies and compliance.
• Be accountable for own actions in accordance with the Society of Health Play Specialist professional Code of Conduct.
• Act within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies always, including all aspects of child protection.
• Effectively communicate information to patients/carers and the multi-professional team regarding play interventions including situations which promote awareness of the emotional needs heightened by stress and crisis.
• Demonstrate and teach good practice to other members of the Multi Professional Team and students.
• Assess, supervise and provide mentorship to appropriate students when required.
• Ensure appropriate therapeutic play provisions are planned, implemented and evaluated with group/individual patients and carers.
• Participate in appropriate organisational activities, development of service and audit to improve quality of care.
• Demonstrate practical skills to ensure optimum patient care including; equipment management, environment and service improvements.
• Ensure clear concise communication both written and verbal taking into consideration language barriers and developmental ability.
• Show empathy when supporting patients, carers and others during expected/unexpected situations arising in the clinical area e.g. receipt of bad news.
• Utilise information and IT systems to ensure written records and activity data in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards.
• Take responsibility for own evidenced based practice and maintain continual professional development for registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists.
• Promote and monitor adherence to Health and Safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation. By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities.