235539 Health Play Assistant (SNIS)

NHS Lothian; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Health Play Specialist to organize play and recreational activities for children within various settings. The role involves creating a child-focused environment and promoting the emotional well-being of young patients. Candidates must demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge in therapeutic play interventions. This position is essential in helping young patients cope with the psychological effects of hospitalization. Additional support for disabled candidates is offered, ensuring a diverse workforce.

Qualifications

• Theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions.
• Ability to document therapeutic interventions and outcomes.
• Skills to promote awareness of emotional needs of children.

Responsibilities

• Organise play and recreational activities for children and young people.
• Manage and maintain a child-focused environment.
• Gain knowledge and skills for implementing therapeutic play.

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Job Purpose

Working towards the achievement of Health Play Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Organise play and recreational activities for all children and young people (patients and siblings) within a variety of settings in the Children’s Service and other areas of the Trust as required.
• Manage and maintain a child-focused environment where play occurs naturally.
• Gain theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital.
• Document therapeutic interventions and outcomes.
• Develop skills, knowledge and be responsible for own practice.
• Promote awareness and understanding of the emotional needs of children in hospital, the psychosocial effects of hospitalisation and the importance of play within the multi-disciplinary team.

Application Information

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

Equality and Inclusion

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Work Permission

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Regulatory and Background Checks

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post. Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: .

Contact

For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact [e-mail] or 0131 312 0364.