Play Specialist

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester

On-site

GBP 36,000 - 52,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Job summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Play Specialist to support paediatric patients and families across the cancer treatment pathway. You will identify and implement therapeutic play, provide guidance, and work with the MDT to plan and review care within the paediatric service.

You will lead the development of play provision within the Trust, supervise external volunteers, ensure safeguarding, and contribute to governance, training, and service improvements in a busy hospital setting.

Qualifications

Foundation degree or Level 5 apprenticeship in Health Play Specialist.
Current SoHPS registration.
At least 2 years post-qualifying experience with children.

Responsibilities

Identify and implement therapeutic techniques to help children and young people during hospitalisation.
Provide advice and support to children and families throughout the treatment trajectory.
Coordinate referral pathways and collaborate with the MDT to plan and review care.
Develop and maintain the paediatric play service to deliver best outcomes and reduce sedation needs.
Supervise external organisations and visitors to ensure safety and safeguarding compliance.
Deliver staff teaching sessions on paediatric care and play therapy.

Skills

Plan and coordinate therapeutic Interv

Communication skills

Work autonomously

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Numeracy and literacy

Computer skills

Work under pressure

Education

Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism / Level 5 Health Play Specialist apprenticeship

Registration with SoHPS

2 years post qualifying experience with children

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical / Therapeutic

To identify and implement a wide range of therapeutic techniques to help children and young people overcome hospitalisation and complex difficulties within the hospital environment.
To provide advice and support for children and families throughout the cancer treatment trajectory, signposting to external support networks, services and organisations where appropriate
To participate in referral pathways for paediatric patients, taking a co-ordinating role where appropriate between internal and external professionals
To be involved in the assessment and care planning of a case load of children and young people (some of which may be complex) and consider individual and service need in collaboration with the referrer, the child and family.
To provide assistance and advice to members of the multi-disciplinary team and wider hospital workers in order that children receive appropriate services.
To supervise and support approved external organisations, facilitators, and volunteers providing entertainment, activities, or charitable donations for the paediatric service, ensuring all visits are delivered safely, appropriately, and in accordance with Trust policies and safeguarding requirements.

Service Development and Delivery

Responsible for the continuous development, implementation, and maintenance of the play service at The Christie
Ensure the standard of play is innovative and provides best practice and outcomes for the paediatric patients to ensure the minimal use of sedation / anaesthetic
Liaises with the multidisciplinary team regarding the progress of paediatric patients within their treatment pathway on a weekly basis, ensuring care pathways and protocol deadlines/time scales are met
Facilitate and deliver informal teaching sessions for staff within the Trust relating to paediatric care and play therapy

Clinical Governance

To work within the Trust's clinical governance and quality agenda, and to monitor
practice standards
To apply NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice and legislation relating to
health and social care
To act as an advocate for the child or adolescent, promoting and protecting their rights in line with relevant legislation, national guidance and professional standards. This includes ensuring children and young people are listened to, their views are considered, and they are supported to participate in decisions about their care in accordance with their age, understanding and individual needs.

Communication

To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members
of the multidisciplinary team, with other Trust departments and with regional children's services
To communicate with families and children/young people using reassuring and positive language to encourage compliance within medical procedures

Research and Practice Development

To ensure consultation with relevant members of the MDT and revise/amend services where necessary
To identify relevant and current research and apply to practice.
To be responsible for the development and implementation of local guidelines to ensure best practice
To be responsible for the implementation and audit of the regional benchmarking
standards

Documentation

To ensure up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and provide specialist written reports relevant to the child's care plan where necessary.
To record and capture all paediatric activity within digital systems
Participate and contribute to the weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to inform staff members of patient's progress within their treatment

Professional Ethics

To comply with the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Trust Policies
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and
their families, contribute to the provision of a sensitive service to meet these needs
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues

Professional and personal development

To maintain a professional portfolio in line with HPSET recommendation for re-registration recording learning outcomes from participation in internal and external development opportunities
To review and reflect on own practice through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal
To participate in an agreed programme of personal development

Responsibility for Resources

To ensure play equipment is maintained to a high standard, advising on resources to meet the needs of the service area, in accordance with Trust health and safety standards
To ensure information resources relating to patients are collated in adherence with Trust Policy and presented to the multidisciplinary team

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism / Level 5 Health Play Specialist apprenticeship
Current registration with SoHPS
At least 2 years post qualifying experience working with children

Desirable criteria

Related Hons Degree Qualification; Psychology, Health and Social Care
Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working with children and young people and their families
Ability to communicate with and advise a wide range of people
Hospital environment experience

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with additional needs
Experience in the Oncology setting
Experience of supporting staff

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to plan, co-ordinate and apply therapeutic interventions for children and young people experiencing difficulties with treatment
Applied knowledge of health legislation and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
The ability to maintain confidentiality
To work autonomously
Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities
Effective written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills
Numeracy, literacy, and computer skills
Ability to work under pressure
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable criteria

Training and facilitation skills
Supervisory skills
Ability to work with 0-16-year-olds
Have an understanding of teenage and young adult development and the difficulties/issues that affect them
Ability to analyse professional and ethical practice and issues
Family centred care

Knowledge

Essential criteria