Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced qualified registered Health Play Specialist to join our expanding Play Service at the Evelina London Childrens Hospital. The successful candidate will support the vision of the play service to create an age appropriate, safe environment for our children, young people and families . We are looking for someone who is empathetic and a good listener as our families are experiencing difficult and challenging times and may be away from their normal support network.
To be innovative with play ideas and therapeutic support for individual patients creating memories and fun and promoting developmental play especially for long term patients is essential. An awareness of the importance of working alongside the rest of the MDT providing holistic care is essential.
Main duties of the job
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role with the successful candidate facilitating focused, normalising and therapeutic activities supporting our children and young people
We are looking for candidates who have an excellent awareness of the importance of therapeutic play within the Multi Disciplinary team. Using theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess ,plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic support.
Candidates are required to effectively document play based observations in accordance with professional and trust standards.
Successful candidates will be supported by the Evelina Play Specialist team working to support play ideas and therapeutic plans for individual patients with the multi-disciplinary team.
About us
As the only NHS Trust in London with women's and specialist children's services on one site we have unique opportunities to provide excellent, high-quality, integrated care for mothers, babies and children. We operate through five clinical directorates: Children's Medicine and Neonatology; Children's Surgery, Theatres and Anaesthesia; Children's Cardio-respiratory and Intensive Care; Children's Community Services and Women's Services.
We provide care at our hospital sites, Evelina London Children's Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital, and provide community services for families in Lambeth and Southwark.
Find out more www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk.
Watch our short film to see inside our children's hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for full details of duties and responsibilities.
The post holder is responsible for supporting the child/young person and family through play in the Evelina London Childrens Hospital (ELCH). This responsibility encompasses the promotion of play activities, therapeutic clinical play therapy, preparation of patients for examinations, procedures and/or interventions and creating a positive, welcoming environment for children and young people. You will be expected to be involved from the initial stages considering potential family needs, to identifying the childs emotional and developmental needs and understand the impact that healthcare interventions have upon these, and develop a plan of care of play interventions that will be beneficial during the childs care pathway. You will utilise a variety of skills and knowledge acquired through experience, training and discussion with the multi professional team to provide play preparation, distraction and emotional support for the children undergoing a variety of procedures to a successful outcome.
The post holder will be working independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional actions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for full details of duties and responsibilities.
The post holder is responsible for supporting the child/young person and family through play in the Evelina London Childrens Hospital (ELCH). This responsibility encompasses the promotion of play activities, therapeutic clinical play therapy, preparation of patients for examinations, procedures and/or interventions and creating a positive, welcoming environment for children and young people. You will be expected to be involved from the initial stages considering potential family needs, to identifying the childs emotional and developmental needs and understand the impact that healthcare interventions have upon these, and develop a plan of care of play interventions that will be beneficial during the childs care pathway. You will utilise a variety of skills and knowledge acquired through experience, training and discussion with the multi professional team to provide play preparation, distraction and emotional support for the children undergoing a variety of procedures to a successful outcome.
The post holder will be working independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional actions.
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Education/ Professional Registration
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Current registration with Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)
Desirable
- Additional training/qualifications relevant to role
- Membership of professional body (NAHPS/CLC)
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying experience working in a healthcare setting as a play specialist
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a specialist children's hospital
Skills/Knowledge/ Ability
Essential
- Ability to assess, plan, develop and deliver play interventions to provide positive experiences during the child's health experience
- Good time management, administrative (including IT) and organisational skills
- Demonstrated evidence of play preparation for medical procedures, distraction techniques and post procedural play
- Proven teaching skills, ability to mentor junior staff and students
Additional Information
Essential
- Flexible and positive approach to work
Desirable
- Constructive and creative approach in dealing with new/unexpected challenges
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Education/ Professional Registration
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Current registration with Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)
Desirable
- Additional training/qualifications relevant to role
- Membership of professional body (NAHPS/CLC)
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying experience working in a healthcare setting as a play specialist
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a specialist children's hospital
Skills/Knowledge/ Ability
Essential
- Ability to assess, plan, develop and deliver play interventions to provide positive experiences during the child's health experience
- Good time management, administrative (including IT) and organisational skills
- Demonstrated evidence of play preparation for medical procedures, distraction techniques and post procedural play
- Proven teaching skills, ability to mentor junior staff and students
Additional Information
Essential
- Flexible and positive approach to work
Desirable
- Constructive and creative approach in dealing with new/unexpected challenges
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
