Job summary
The Senior Health Play Specialist is a senior member of the Play Team with responsibility for providing leadership and professional oversight within the Play Department. The post holder ensures the planning, co-ordination and delivery of safe, high-quality play programmes across all aspects of hospital play provision, in line with Trust policies and national standards.
This vacancy may close earlier than advertised, if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Main duties of the job
As a senior practitioner, the post holder holds line management responsibility for a designated team, providing supervision, appraisal, and day-to-day management, and supports the development of staff through mentoring Health Play Specialist students and supervising volunteers. The role includes acting as the named specialist for a ward, ensuring effective communication and multidisciplinary working.
The post holder contributes to the effective operational management of the service by maintaining positive working relationships with charitable partners and supporting the Play Services Manager with the smooth running, service development, and continuous improvement of the department.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding the role and responsibilities.
Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding the role and responsibilities.
Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessing patients' needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Can motivate, guide, and support a small team, promoting a positive and productive working environment
Aptitudes
Essential
- Demonstrates strong communication and builds positive relationships within the team and with others.
- Can work effectively under pressure and manage competing demands while remaining motivated.
- Open to feedback, reflects on practice, and embraces new ideas or ways of working.
- Demonstrates awareness of Trust values and consistently applies them in practice
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and in-house Trust systems.
- Can analyse issues effectively, make decisions, and manage time efficiently.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and child-focused environment, following Trust health and safety policies.
Desirable
- Awareness of budget and stock control
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent AND Current HPSET registration
Desirable
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessing patients' needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Can motivate, guide, and support a small team, promoting a positive and productive working environment
Aptitudes
Essential
- Demonstrates strong communication and builds positive relationships within the team and with others.
- Can work effectively under pressure and manage competing demands while remaining motivated.
- Open to feedback, reflects on practice, and embraces new ideas or ways of working.
- Demonstrates awareness of Trust values and consistently applies them in practice
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and in-house Trust systems.
- Can analyse issues effectively, make decisions, and manage time efficiently.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and child-focused environment, following Trust health and safety policies.
Desirable
- Awareness of budget and stock control
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent AND Current HPSET registration
Desirable
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Bristol Royal Childrens Hospital
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8BJ
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
