Play Service Team Leader 393 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
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Job Title: Play Service Team Leader
Fixed Term End Date: 31st October 2025
Job Purpose:
- Be responsible for the management of staff within the Play Service.
- Take an active role in improving care pathways for patients and their families within their hospital journey.
- Work as an advanced practitioner in clinical areas.
- Participate in the assessment, planning, development and evaluation of play services within all areas where children and young people are seen, holding responsibility for service development and defined projects.
- Provide leadership to junior staff through role modelling, teaching and management.
- Supervise HPS and degree level students on practice placement as well as students from other members of the MDT.
- Provide complimentary support to children seen outside of paediatric setting and 16-18 yrs. old admitted onto the adult wards.
- Actively work to improve the safety and quality of services for children, contributing to safeguarding and sourcing funds for environmental improvements and building partnerships with external founders.
Key Areas of Work:
- Support the Play Services to ensure high quality care is provided throughout the service.
- Support the Ward Manager in managing the Play service provided in NMUH, ensuring children and young people receive high quality care as required.
- Manage a caseload of patients, providing advanced therapeutic play interventions to help alleviate patients\' anxieties and fears, helping to increase their cooperation during their time in hospital receiving specialised treatment/care.
- Liaise with all members of the MDT and other healthcare agencies to provide the highest quality care to paediatric patients and young people at NMUH.
- Work collaboratively with the Oasis Youth service to provide support to 16-18 yrs admitted to the adult wards.
- Ensure the Play Team provides a welcoming, safe, and secure environment where culturally diverse patient populations\' needs are represented throughout the service.
- Increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of the play team\'s work and how our services help patients during their hospital journeys, internally and externally.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the Play Team, ensuring services can be improved, developed, and evolve at NMUH.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Work as an advanced practitioner and manage a caseload of children and young people with complex needs.
- Apply a high level of understanding of the psychological effects of hospitalisation and long-term chronic illness, providing training and advice to members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Ensure that the play equipment provided is safe and that the culturally diverse patient populations\' needs are represented.
- Support, develop and manage systems to ensure the smooth transfer of children from one area of the Trust to another and from other healthcare settings, providing age-appropriate information about the patients\' care and treatment.
Communication:
- Maintain effective communication with children, young people, and their families, working closely with them to ensure high quality care is provided enabling them to cope and adapt to treatment.
- Establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team in child/adolescent health and in other departments of the hospital where the children and young people are treated.
- Communicate sensitively and professionally in complex and challenging situations, such as with parents who have been told bad news, or with a teenager who has been abused.
- Understand and monitor the referral pathway, ensuring patients have been appropriately referred.
- Establish communication links with other agencies/hospitals involved with the child/young person and effectively liaise with a wide range of professionals to ensure the highest standard of care is provided.
- Ensure that up-to-date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
Leadership, Supervision & Appraisal:
- Provide effective leadership, guidance, and supervision to junior members of the team.
- Supervise the professional development of the Play team and lead annual appraisals.
- Manage play services within the local area and Trust wide as delegated by the Ward Manager.
- Demonstrate leadership skills through the implementation and management of designated staff and projects.
Training Staff & Students:
- Participate in and manage the orientation, training, and supervision of HPS students, providing mentorship throughout the placements to the student and delegated mentor.
- Be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of HPS/nursing students on placement.
- Actively promote an awareness of the emotional needs of children and young people in hospital and the importance of play and recreation, within the multi-disciplinary team and to external agencies.
Service Development & Delivery:
- Actively contribute to the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols.
- Be proactive in the delivery of the play service development plan and annual report.
- Determine changing needs of department and implement strategies to reflect changes.
This advert closes on Wednesday 12 Mar 2025
Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level
Employment Type: Contract
Job Function: Other
Industries: Administrative and Support Services
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We think this is how you could land Play Service Team Leader 393 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
✨Get Involved with Local Health Initiatives
Join local community health events or volunteer for organisations like public health agencies. This not only builds your experience but also helps you network with industry professionals who might know of openings at places like Northmid.
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When you find roles that excite you, especially at places like Northmid, don’t forget to apply through our website. This can sometimes give you an edge by showing the employer you’re savvy and committed to finding the right fit.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in health sciences administration, it's super important to spotlight any relevant experience you have in healthcare settings. Whether you've worked in a hospital, a clinic, or any related environment, make sure to detail those roles in your CV – focusing on your responsibilities and achievements that align with the job at Northmid.
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Tailor Your Documents to the Job:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role. Highlight any certifications you have relevant to health administration, and ensure you clearly connect your previous roles to the skills needed for the full-time position at Northmid. This way, you're showing them you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northmid
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
In health sciences administration, being organised is key. Make sure you can demonstrate your skills in managing schedules, paperwork, and data accurately. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like electronic health record systems or scheduling software, and how they improved efficiency in your past experiences.
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Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance is crucial. Brush up on HIPAA, GDPR, or other relevant policies before your interview. We recommend preparing examples of how you've ensured compliance or handled sensitive information in past roles—this will show you're not just knowledgeable but also responsible.
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Interviews for administrative roles often involve scenario-based questions to assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to common situations you might face, such as dealing with a challenging patient or managing a sudden schedule change. This will not only demonstrate your ability to think on your feet but also highlight your interpersonal skills.
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As a full-time candidate, employers will want to know how your long-term career goals align with their mission. Take some time to research Northmid’s values and be ready to tie your passion for health sciences administration into their objectives. Demonstrating enthusiasm and career alignment can be a game-changer in this competitive field!
