Play specialist

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust; Truro; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated paediatric play specialist to support children and families by using play to reduce anxiety, prepare for procedures, and promote participation in their care.

You will observe children at play in wards or playrooms, liaise with therapists and clinicians, and help families cope with diagnosis and treatment while maintaining safe, engaging play environments.

Responsibilities

• Observe children playing in playrooms, wards or at bedside and share observations with the health team.
• Plan and implement age-appropriate play, drama, art and craft activities for individuals and groups.
• Act as an advocate for children and young people in interactions with the healthcare team.
• Support families under stress and advise how play can help cope with diagnosis and treatment.
• Promote the importance of play and address emotional needs during illness.
• Ensure toys and play facilities are cleaned, maintained and stored safely.

Skills

Advocacy for children

Observation & assessment

Team communication

Plan and run activities

Child development knowledge

Job description

create a welcoming, safe and caring environment that encourages children to take part in play activities

• act as an advocate for children and young people in their interactions with the healthcare team
• use play to help children and young people settle into life in hospital, to help them prepare for medical procedures and to help calm and distract them during these procedures, facilitating their consent and compliance
• use play to help children reach developmental targets, learn new skills and relearn skills they may have lost during their illness
• facilitate social interaction to help patients and their families to make friends and find support from others in the wards
• observe children playing either in a dedicated playroom, in the ward or at their bedside
• share your assessments and observations with other members of the health team, including speech and language therapists, doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, to support their long-term care plan
• liaise with health play specialists in the community and in hospices to ensure continuity of play interventions
• support families under stress and advise them on how they can use play with their children to help them cope with their diagnosis and treatment
• promote the importance of play and awareness of children's emotional needs during their illness
• ensure all toys and other play facilities are cleaned, maintained and stored safely.

act as an advocate for children and young people in their interactions with the healthcare team

plan and implement a range of age-appropriate play, drama, art and craft activities for children and young people, both individually and in groups

use play to help children and young people settle into life in hospital, to help them prepare for medical procedures and to help calm and distract them during these procedures, facilitating their consent and compliance

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) Is At The Heart Of Acute And Specialist Care For Cornwall And The Isles Of Scilly. We Care For a Population Of Around 470,000 People, a Number That Increases During Visitor Seasons. We Employ Around 6,700 Staff, United By a Shared Commitment To Deliver Safe, High-quality Care. We Provide Services Across Three Main Hospital Sites, With Around 780 Inpatient Beds

• Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro
• St Michael's Hospital in Hayle
• West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

As a teaching hospital, we're proud to work in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School, supporting the next generation of health professionals. We're committed to staying at the forefront of medical advance; investing in our people, developing our facilities, and expanding the specialist care we can offer locally so more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We have a growing reputation for research and innovation that helps shape better care for the future. The Knowledge Spa, located on our Truro site, is a vibrant hub for medical, nursing and professional education across clinical and non-clinical roles. It plays a vital role in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled teams.

We are driven by one clear ambition, Outstanding Care for One and All, care that's safe, kind and high-quality. We are RCHT.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Carrie Jones Job title: Matron for Paediatrics Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07780662652