Health Play Assistant

NHS; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Wales is seeking a part-time Health Play Assistant to join their Therapeutic Play team. This role involves supervising play activities, assisting healthcare staff, and ensuring high-quality therapeutic play services in various settings. Ideal candidates will have relevant childcare qualifications and experience working with children. The position requires flexibility to cover a range of shifts, including weekdays and weekends.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working with children/young people in either a play, education or hospital setting.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of working as a team member.

Responsibilities

• Supervise play activities for children during treatments and procedures.
• Work closely with healthcare professionals across settings.
• Deliver high standards of therapeutic play services.

Education

NNEB or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent child care qualification

Willing to undertake the Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism course

Job description

The Women and Children Directorate of Hywel Dda University Health Board has an exciting opportunity for a part time Health Play Assistant to join our Therapeutic Play team.

We provide an excellent service to meet the needs of children and families incorporating all aspects of family centred care. We are committed to the provision of high quality care using evidence based practice.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is committed to supporting training and ongoing professional development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will need to be resourceful, innovative and committed to deliver a high standard of therapeutic play service for children, young people and their families in Acute /Community Paediatric settings across the Health Board.

The successful candidate will work closely within the Play service team, support the health care professionals across all area of the hospital, out patients and community children nursing service where children and young people are cared for.

This is a part-time position working weekdays, weekends and inclusive of bank holidays on a rostered basis. This post is based on Cilgerran Ward with a requirement to work across the play service covering both Glangwili and Withybush childrens' service areas and to have a flexible approach to the needs of the service.

You will be involved in the organising and supervising play activities, preparing and distracting children for treatments and procedures.

You will also need to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills and aptitude to work as part of a team as well as alone.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire

Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings

47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers

Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

A 7-day cover for the service is required. Hours will be rota'd over a four-week period. The 23 hour post will consist of 2 shifts weekly of 11.5 hours between 7.00am - 19.30pm. Requests for shift allocation are processed using an app allocate loop. Shift allocation can be discussed at interview.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 02/10/2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• NNEB or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent child care qualification
• Willing to undertake the Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism course

Experience

• Previous experience of working with children/young people in either a play, education or hospital setting
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of working as a team member

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£25,313 to £26,999 a yearper annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

100-ACS132-0925

Job locations