Health Play Specialist

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Health Play Specialist trainee for the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital (ENTED). The role is part-time and requires autonomous work within a large MDT to implement specialised play interventions for paediatric patients and their families.

You will plan, deliver and evaluate therapeutic play activities to support children through procedures, with an emphasis on compassionate, age-appropriate care and effective

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to work with families under stress and in MDTs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic play interventions.
• Prepare age-appropriate welcome environments and distraction techniques.
• Support and manage a caseload with effective time management.
• Contribute to assessments and care planning using child development knowledge.

Skills

Pediatric healthcare experience

Team collaboration

Education

FdA in Healthcare Play Specialism

PDC/HND in Specialised play for the sick child

Job description

Responsibilities will include supporting hospitalised children and young people leading alternative focus activities during procedures, therapeutic play preparation, creating an age-appropriate welcoming environment throughout the area and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively. You will need to have experience of working with children and young people in a healthcare setting and be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. You will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is valued and respected as an integrated part of young people's treatment and your contribution to the patient's pathway will be highly respected. The play service team consists of 35 experienced staff, lead by a play services manager who will actively support your professional development. The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service. The FdA in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex PDC/HND in Specialised play for the sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is required for this post. We welcome applications from individuals who are currently completing the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism and are in their second year. If successful, the trainee will be paid in accordance with annex 21 of NHS Terms and Conditions (75% of maximum of Band 4) for the period leading up until they are qualified. To plan, implement and evaluate interventions to achieve therapeutic goals, in collaboration with the referrer, the child/young person and their family, managing own caseload and demonstrating effective time management. Through play provisions, contribute to clinical judgements based on the patient's individual needs. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate recreational and therapeutic play interventions, including preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural techniques for invasive and non-invasive procedures. Contribute to establishing and maintaining systems to provide patients with a smooth transition between hospital departments. To work independently to meet the needs of children and young people as well as part of the MDT. Provide and maintain a safe, welcoming and age appropriate environment where play and recreation can occur naturally. To select and apply therapeutic techniques to help children, young people and young adults overcome difficulties with hospital admission/procedures. To contribute to assessments and overall care planning using knowledge of child and adolescent development and incorporating an understanding of child/vulnerable adult protection issues.
An exciting opportunity has arisen at UCLH for a qualified Health Play Specialist or second year Apprentice/student on the Health Play Specialist course, looking to gain more experience within our highly respected team. This is a part-time post working at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital (ENTED). We are looking for someone who is committed to the delivery of compassionate high-quality care and has the skills to implement specialised play and preparation to support children, young people and their families undergoing treatment in a busy hospital environment. This person needs to be autonomous, and also able to work effectively within a large team of health play specialists and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate will be passionate and committed to effectively meeting the needs of paediatric patients and their families, as well as promoting the play service work throughout ENTED. The successful candidate will implement specialised play interventions across both inpatient and outpatient settings. You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people, be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues and use therapeutic play techniques creatively throughout the setting.

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing), We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
• We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040. For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description. Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff
• UCLH top trust to work at in England- In the most recentNHS staff surveyUCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the third year in a row.
• UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff - To find out more, visit:Flexible working. To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit:Why Choose UCLH? We welcome applications from individuals who are currently completing the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism and are in their second year. If successful, the trainee will be paid in accordance with annex 21 of NHS Terms and Conditions (75% of maximum of Band 4) for the period leading