Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated play assistant to join the play team. The play assistant will need a level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent and have post qualifying experience in a childcare setting.
To use the knowledge of child development to provide age and stage appropriate play for all children in hospital in order to facilitate normality and promote a positive hospital experience
To ensure all play facilities comply with Trust policies and maintain a safe child friendly environment.
Main duties of the job
The Hospital Play Team is committed to meeting the many needs of children, young people and their families. You will be involved in the implementation of normalising and general play in areas of the hospital where children and young people are seen. Your responsibilities will include promoting a child friendly environment and cleaning and maintaining play equipment to comply with Health and Safety.
You will need to be creative, have excellent communication skills, demonstrate sensitivity, and be resourceful and adaptable in providing play. Flexibility and an ability to meet the emotional needs of the children, young people and their families are essential.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a safe child friendly environment through play activities and appropriate decor.
To assess the individual childs play needs, adapt for frequent interruptions for necessarytreatments and procedures and allow for restrictions due to environment and illness and implement play sessions.
To recognise the needs of the child and organise play for individual children and groups of children in the playroom or at the bedside.
To care for and play with a child/children for periods of time when parents/carers are not able to stay with them.
Assist with moving children by carrying or pushing a buggy/wheelchair into comfortable positions to allow them to participate and enjoy play.
Evaluate play sessions and document in play programmes in accordance with Trust standards.
To ensure all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean and safe and maintained to comply with Trust policies and stored safely.
To communicate effectively with children, young people, families and professionals. Using appropriate language and skills to accommodate all levels of understanding.
Through observation identify anxieties relevant to procedures, treatments or safe guarding issues and refer to the play specialists or other appropriate professionals.
Provide emotional support to the child and family during times of stress.
To be an advocate for the child/young person, dealing with all sensitive issues appropriately and confidentially.
Participate as a member of the multi- disciplinary team within the hospitalMonitor play resources and inform Play Service Coordinator when equipment is unfit for purpose.
To receive donations from general public and assess the suitability for the environment and age appropriate for the childrens ward.
To provide support and advice with play activities to other members of staff and parents.
To participate in Audits as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a safe child friendly environment through play activities and appropriate decor.
To assess the individual childs play needs, adapt for frequent interruptions for necessarytreatments and procedures and allow for restrictions due to environment and illness and implement play sessions.
To recognise the needs of the child and organise play for individual children and groups of children in the playroom or at the bedside.
To care for and play with a child/children for periods of time when parents/carers are not able to stay with them.
Assist with moving children by carrying or pushing a buggy/wheelchair into comfortable positions to allow them to participate and enjoy play.
Evaluate play sessions and document in play programmes in accordance with Trust standards.
To ensure all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean and safe and maintained to comply with Trust policies and stored safely.
To communicate effectively with children, young people, families and professionals. Using appropriate language and skills to accommodate all levels of understanding.
Through observation identify anxieties relevant to procedures, treatments or safe guarding issues and refer to the play specialists or other appropriate professionals.
Provide emotional support to the child and family during times of stress.
To be an advocate for the child/young person, dealing with all sensitive issues appropriately and confidentially.
Participate as a member of the multi- disciplinary team within the hospitalMonitor play resources and inform Play Service Coordinator when equipment is unfit for purpose.
To receive donations from general public and assess the suitability for the environment and age appropriate for the childrens ward.
To provide support and advice with play activities to other members of staff and parents.
To participate in Audits as required.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Work on own initiative and within a team
- Flexible and adaptable to change
- Able to work under pressure
- Good interpersonal and listening skills
- Has a caring approach to the care of the sick child and their families
- Positive attitude to personal development Have the ability to act professionally with challenging situations and behaviours
- Able to adapt to the changing and challenging environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of child development
- Understands the importance of child protection and safeguarding children
- Able to develop professional relationships with children, young people, families and other professionals
- Good observational/assessment skills
- Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality
- Good organisational skills
- Basic IT skills
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience within a childcare or healthcare setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with special needs or challenging behaviours
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Professional childcare qualification level 3 or equivalent.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential
- Work on own initiative and within a team
- Flexible and adaptable to change
- Able to work under pressure
- Good interpersonal and listening skills
- Has a caring approach to the care of the sick child and their families
- Positive attitude to personal development Have the ability to act professionally with challenging situations and behaviours
- Able to adapt to the changing and challenging environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of child development
- Understands the importance of child protection and safeguarding children
- Able to develop professional relationships with children, young people, families and other professionals
- Good observational/assessment skills
- Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality
- Good organisational skills
- Basic IT skills
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience within a childcare or healthcare setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with children with special needs or challenging behaviours
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Professional childcare qualification level 3 or equivalent.
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).
