Play Specialist

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitematā; Auckland; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitematā is seeking a Hospital Play Specialist for Rangatira Paediatric Ward on a permanent, full-time basis. The role focuses on supporting tamariki and whānau through therapeutic play and coping strategies during medical experiences.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to provide family-centred care and advocate for children aged 0–15 years, in alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills to build rapport with children and whānau.
• Experience in hospital settings or paediatric care is beneficial.
• Registration with Play Specialist Association or commitment to pursue this registration.

Responsibilities

• Support tamariki and whānau psychosocially during hospital stays using therapeutic play.
• Prepare children for procedures and coping strategies to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to promote whānau-centred care.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Early childhood or primary teaching qualification

Job description

Hospital Play Specialist - Rangatira Paediatric Ward, Waitākere Hospital - Permanent, full-time position (1.0FTE).

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will be working directly with tamariki, rāngatahi and whānau to support their psychosocial needs and well-being during their medical experiences within a healthcare setting. Using therapeutic play, preparation and coping strategies, your work will provide support for reducing stressors and anxiety often associated with hospitalisation and medical interventions.

About the Team/Service

Rangatira Ward is an acute general medical paediatric ward caring for children aged 0 - 15 years with a range of short and long-term illnesses and disabilities. We are a close-knit team, committed to providing quality whānau centred care. We work closely with the Childrens Community Nurse Specialist team, Paediatric Outpatient services, Primary and Public health providers and Emergency Care Centres.

Health New Zealand Waitematā provides health services to approximately 650,000 residents of the North Shore, Waitakere, and Rodney areas. It has the largest population of any district health area.

About you

As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will bring creativity, flexibility, and compassion. You will require excellent communication skills to build positive rapport with those you are working with. While working closely with the multidisciplinary team, your skills, knowledge and understanding of child development will assist in better health outcomes for those accessing our services.

• A recognised early childhood or primary teaching qualification
• A minimum of 3 years experience as a Hospital Play Specialist Hospital
• Play Specialist Association Registration or be committed to working towards this

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Andrea Harris, Charge Nurse Manager: [e-mail]

For recruitment specific questions please contact Lissa Crook, Recruitment Consultant: [e-mail]

Job reference: WDHB22023

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.