Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at UCLH for a qualified health play specialist holding extensive post qualifying experience to join our highly respected team. Are you a qualified registered health play specialist looking to further develop your career as part of a larger play team? Do you want to join a large London Trust where you will work with a range of health care professionals in a world class environment? Are you someone who thrives on making a difference to a young person's hospital experience and wants to develop your career with this age group? If yes then come and join us!
We are very proud of our award-winning imaging play specialist service which has been used as a pathway to support growing the awake MRI services in BCYP healthcare.
The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service as and when required. The Play and Youth Services Team consists of 35 Health Play Specialists, play workers & Youth Support Co-ordinators lead by a Play and Youth Services Manager who will actively support your professional development.
The FdA in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex PDC/HND in Specialised play for the sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is required for this post
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an energetic and proactive play specialist to work with children, young people and young adults within our Imaging and Nuclear Medicine Services. Supporting patients attending for diagnostic scans and treatment, you will be vital in reducing the anxiety surrounding hospital treatment and procedures. You will be proactive in creating and maintaining an age-appropriate environment throughout the area and facilitate therapeutic interventions to a case load of patients attending UCLH for MRI's, Nuclear Medicine and other scanning procedures.
You will need to have experience of working with children and young people in a healthcare setting and be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. You will need to be able to thrive a demanding environment, and effectively prioritise patients and your workload. Additionally, you will need to engage easily with children and young people and be able to work effectively with your MDT colleagues to enhance the children and young person's hospital experience. You will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is valued and respected as an integrated part of children young people's treatment and your contribution to the patient's pathway will be highly respected.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent.
- Further training in child protection.
- Management training modules.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development For example; Counselling Skills certificate, Supervisory Skills Training, Presentation skills., Published articles, Conference Presentations
- Detailed knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
Desirable
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Training in: Guided Imagery, Adolescent Development, Teaching adults
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualifying, comprehensive experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field, including individual and group work.
- Participation in recruitment and selection procedures.
- Experience of regularly supporting, teaching, training, assessing and supervising students and/or volunteers.
Desirable
- Management of junior staff, undertaking annual appraisals and PDP.
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate complex, information sensitively and effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and non-verbal forms.
- Supervision and training skills.
- Word processing, Excel and internet search skills.
- Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information and comprehend difficult technical and medical information
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills.
- Counselling skills.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Up to date registration with SoHPS.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent.
- Further training in child protection.
- Management training modules.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development For example; Counselling Skills certificate, Supervisory Skills Training, Presentation skills., Published articles, Conference Presentations
- Detailed knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
Desirable
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Training in: Guided Imagery, Adolescent Development, Teaching adults
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualifying, comprehensive experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field, including individual and group work.
- Participation in recruitment and selection procedures.
- Experience of regularly supporting, teaching, training, assessing and supervising students and/or volunteers.
Desirable
- Management of junior staff, undertaking annual appraisals and PDP.
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate complex, information sensitively and effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and non-verbal forms.
- Supervision and training skills.
- Word processing, Excel and internet search skills.
- Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information and comprehend difficult technical and medical information
Desirable
- Training and presentation skills.
- Counselling skills.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Up to date registration with SoHPS.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
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).
