Job summary
Do you have a passion for working children of all ages? If so, we are looking for you to to join our wonderful, fun and supportive team providing invaluable play experiences to children at difficult times during hospital admissions or visits.
The successful candidate will be a valuable member of the dynamic play team providing inclusive play within the Children's Services. Your role will be to work within the structure of the play department referring to health play specialists as required for support and guidance. This can be a challenging role with emotive moments but is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact play can have on children and their families/carers.
This is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and develop professionally!
We are a friendly and supportive team, committed to the Organisation's Kindness Collaborative, which underpins our compassionate approach to care. Our beautifully designed, bright, and spacious unit includes Paediatric Inpatients, Critical Care, Surgery, and a Paediatric Observation and Assessment area. We also feature a large playroom, outdoor play area, sensory room, and facilities that allow young people to spend time away from their bedspace.
Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria required to qualify for sponsorship
Main duties of the job
The role of the successful candidate will include having the ability to work effectively under pressure caring for sick children and their families. You will also be required to promote/support the role of the play specialist within the clinical environment.
You will be assigned to a specific area but will be required to support other areas driven by clinical demand. You will be required to establish good communication with parents/carers and siblings encouraging them to participate in play sessions and will need to be physically fit and active, open to further training and professional development, and must be self motivated, be able to work in a team but also able to work independently.
You will have the ability to work effectively within an ever changing environment and be able to provide support during different circumstances. Day to day you will be required to provide, organise, initiate and supervise play activities for all children appropriate to their age, medical condition and background; this will be within the play room or at the bedside as appropriate.
About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.
As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.
In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
We continually review our recruitment processes to ensure they are supporting us achieving an inclusive and representative team.
We recognise that many people find interviews daunting and the conventional interview approach, of unseen questions, often impacts performance on the day. We are therefore sending interview questions, to candidates, in advance for this vacancy. If you are invited for interview you will receive your interview questions in advance of your interview date.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
We continually review our recruitment processes to ensure they are supporting us achieving an inclusive and representative team.
We recognise that many people find interviews daunting and the conventional interview approach, of unseen questions, often impacts performance on the day. We are therefore sending interview questions, to candidates, in advance for this vacancy. If you are invited for interview you will receive your interview questions in advance of your interview date.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade)
- NVQ level 3 in childcare or equivalent (NNEB, Cache L3)
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and email programmes
Experience
Essential
- Experience (through placement or employment) of working with children and young people
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- A desire to work in a hospital environment caring for acutely unwell children with kindness, compassion and with dignity and respect
- Clear communication skills; verbally, in writing and the use of IT
- Have and describe an understanding of confidentiality
- Some understanding of the key developmental stages of children.
Desirable
- Awareness of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Experience of working within a team
- Commitment to undertaking continuous professional development (CPD)
- Ability to plan, organise and supervise play activities suitable for the age, ability and medical condition of the child
Qualities
Essential
- Be both enthusiastic and self-aware
- Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable
- Resilient under pressure, whilst understanding own limitations
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade)
- NVQ level 3 in childcare or equivalent (NNEB, Cache L3)
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and email programmes
Experience
Essential
- Experience (through placement or employment) of working with children and young people
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- A desire to work in a hospital environment caring for acutely unwell children with kindness, compassion and with dignity and respect
- Clear communication skills; verbally, in writing and the use of IT
- Have and describe an understanding of confidentiality
- Some understanding of the key developmental stages of children.
Desirable
- Awareness of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Experience of working within a team
- Commitment to undertaking continuous professional development (CPD)
- Ability to plan, organise and supervise play activities suitable for the age, ability and medical condition of the child
Qualities
Essential
- Be both enthusiastic and self-aware
- Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable
- Resilient under pressure, whilst understanding own limitations
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).
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).