Job responsibilities
GENERAL
To use theoretical knowledge and evidence based
practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play programmes
within the hospice, contributing towards the holistic care of children.
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs
of children in a hospice setting, and the importance of play within the
multi-disciplinary team.
To adhere to Zoes Place Trust policies and
procedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these to
others.
To complete clinical competencies under the
guidance of a Registered Nurse to enable clinical care to be carried out
independently.
To ensure that up to date written play records
and activity data are maintained and daily recorded via Chase and patient notes
in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
To seek training opportunities to further
develop skills to enhance your role within Zoes place including all mandatory
training sessions.
Attend and participate in an annual appraisal
and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in
knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
To encourage and promote the philosophy of
Zoes Place and present a good public image, to co-operate with all staff in
maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold
charitys image and to win increased support for its work.
To report any incidents and accidents to the
nurse in charge in a timely manner and ensure that they are recorded in the
appropriate documentation.
To promote and maintain dignity, privacy and
confidentiality at all times.
To conduct yourself at all times in a
professional manner in both appearance and conduct.
Communication
To inform the Clinical Lead/Deputy Lead of any
developments/changes surrounding play within the hospice.
Report to the Clinical Lead/Deputy Lead
appropriate concern about children and families, and document accordingly in
childs notes.
Advise the multidisciplinary team on play and
communication with children.
To establish effective communication, both
verbal and written with all members of the multidisciplinary team
To liaise and support projects organised
outside of Zoes Hospice.
To actively participate in meetings,
multidisciplinary teamwork including psychosocial meeting and case conferences,
contributing to decisions with regard to patient treatment/care plan.
To meet with mentor on a regular basis for
guidance surrounding work practices and objectives set during appraisals.
Professional Ethics
To comply with the ACLP Code of Professional
Conduct and Trust Policies.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural
and religious diversity of patients and their families and contribute to the
provision of a service sensitive to these needs. Service development &
delivery.
To participate in the planning, evaluation and
audit of practice.
To participate in the delivery of the play
service development plan.
Pay due regard to the Trusts and Children's
Services Policies, especially Health and Safety, Outings policy, Practices and
privileges policy, Equal Opportunities, Child protection and issues related to
the Children act and children rights.
Responsibility for
resources
To ensure that all toys and play facilities are
cleaned, maintained safely and stored appropriately according to the Trust
Health and safety/infection control policies.
Contribute to the selection and purchase of
toys and play equipment
Clinical Governance
Contribute to the Clinical Governance
framework.
To demonstrate an understanding of ACLP
Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Assist with the setting, monitoring and
maintaining of standards.
Contribute to the teaching of students and
other health care professionals within formal and informal setting, the value
of play in hospital and the role of the hospital play specialist.
To supervise Child Life students and child care
students, providing support in helping them to meet their individual placement
learning objectives and their final report.
To organise and supervise visiting entertainers
within the ward/department and nominating children and young people for
parties, special events etc.
Professional
Development
Maintain own development and education; by
attend meetings and conferences related to the speciality.
To participate in discussions and comment upon
new developments related to field of practice.
To maintain a professional development
portfolio in line with ACLP recommendations for reregistration and in
accordance with the Trust Professional registration for clinical practitioners
core policy.
To apply theoretical knowledge and
understanding to professional practice.
Attend
trust mandatory & statutory study days as directed by your line manager.
CLINICAL/ THERAPEUTIC
Ensure that all children receive the
appropriate play and stimulation related to their emotional / developmental
needs. Organise and facilitate said play.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate
comprehensive play programmes, to include preparation for invasive and
non-invasive procedures, procedural support and therapeutic play, as part of
the overall care of the child, receiving day care and respite care.
To create individual developmental and play
assessments for each and every child, adjusting when the childs needs have
changed.
To ensure that all children receive appropriate
therapeutic and goal orientated play and stimulation related to their
emotional/ developmental needs and to achieve developmental goals.
To ensure that individual childrens care plans
are followed to the highest standards.
To provide psycho-social, emotional and
physical care and support to children and families.
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of
therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes.
Create a warm, welcoming, caring and safe
environment, which is child friendly.
Through the provision of play provide support
for the families and siblings that are under stress and in crisis,
demonstrating a commitment to family centred care.
Inform, educate, support and advise families in
the role of play.
To normalise hospice environment to replicate
activities which can be done in other settings.
To educate child in medical condition if
appropriate.
To advocate for the child and families,
recognising challenges and supporting decisions and choices.
To arrange trips and activities for children in
line with Zoës Place outings policy.
Adopt the role of link worker as required by
Zoes Place Baby Hospice.
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs
of children and the importance of play within a care team.
To understand own professional limitations and
recognise the need to refer to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of
therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes.
To ensure that all outcomes link to the Every
Child Matters outcomes.
FAMILY CARE
To work in partnership with parents, siblings,
carers and care staff, encouraging positive play experiences and modelling use
of resources focusing on family centred care.
To support siblings with challenges they may
have, by creating opportunities and sessions which support their social and
emotional development. These sessions will include, expressive art therapy,
emotional regulation therapy, therapeutic play, bereavement support.
Creating sibling assessment tools to create
goals and monitor progress.
Providing resources to siblings to aid with
managing emotions.
Advocating for families to encourage siblings
emotional regulation and teaching families ways to deal with behaviour that may
occur.
Providing individual/group parental/caregiver
support, including family days, drop in sessions for new perspective families.
Making referrals to charities where families
may benefit.
Creating opportunities for
legacy building (memory making) for families, by providing them with options
and resources.
Advocating for honest conversations on and
around death, for children and siblings.
Providing support for schools in regards to
death of a child.
