Hospital Play Assistant

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT's core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

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 day time 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-focussed 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.

Along with 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

For full details of the duties and responsibilities of this role, please see attached job description & person specification.

Person specification:

• Post qualification experience directly working with children/young people.
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• IT Skills.

Qualifications:

• Up to secondary school education.
• NNEB or NVQ Level 3 Child Care.

Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended. Please make sure that you read the Job Description and Person Specification attached and that your statement in support reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria.

Secondment - if you are interested in undertaking a role on a secondment basis, please ensure that you have discussed this with your current line manager prior to submitting your application. Please note if you are already an employee of ESNEFT fixed term roles will only be offered on a secondment basis.

When providing reference details please provide email addresses so references can be sought promptly to cover the last 3 years of employment. Successful candidates may be charged for their DBS check. Please ensure you read the information found in the attached DBS Information document.

The Trust is committed to its staff and their development and to equal opportunities and diversity. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community. Whilst we welcome applications from all and your application will be considered on individual merit, if you are offered a position and require a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship we may not be able to process your application to the final stage due to Home Office eligibility.

In submitting an application form, you authorise East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; we look forward to receiving your application for employment.