Job summary
To create
opportunities for children and teenagers have access to play whilst at the
hospital and to foster an environment where play contributes to their overall
development, helping to bridge the gap between hospital and home, and creating a
positive environment and patient journey. To provide interesting, stimulating
and developmentally and culturally appropriate play programmes for children,
young people and their families. To support children through procedures using
distraction techniques.
Main duties of the job
To facilitate and resource play activities for individual and groups
To plan opportunities for play which consider the child/young persons stage of development, medical and cultural needs
To plan opportunities for play which can be facilitated flexibly depending on where the child is e.g. play room, bedside etc
To encourage opportunities for children/young people to meet developmental milestones and
To provide distraction to children undergoing procedures
To assist in the creation of a caring and safe play environment for children of all ages
To encourage and support parents to join in play with their children
To organise activities which encourage independence and provide the opportunity for parents and patients to spend time independently of each other
To attend monthly team and staff meetings to share relevant information related to the Trust and the Play team
To be responsible for ordering toys and play equipment and ensure that the equipment is maintained in good order in consultation with the Hospital Play Specialist
To ensure that play equipment is cleaned routinely in line with the departments infection control policy and cleaning schedules and keep documentation accordingly
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
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Job description
Job responsibilities
To work flexibly across play teams as needed.
To communicate appropriately with children / families and all members of the multidisciplinary team
To ensure that activity data is maintained in accordance with unit and Trust standards
To refer Children and young people who are anxious or have misunderstood their treatments / procedures to Play Specialists within the area
To participate in the training and education of other health care professionals to promote awareness of the benefits of normalising and creative play in hospital, both internally and externally
To keep accurate and contemporaneous records in line with Information Governance policies and procedures
To attend mandatory and statutory training as required according to Trust policies.
- Follow agreed policies, protocols and guidelines within the unit and trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work flexibly across play teams as needed.
To communicate appropriately with children / families and all members of the multidisciplinary team
To ensure that activity data is maintained in accordance with unit and Trust standards
To refer Children and young people who are anxious or have misunderstood their treatments / procedures to Play Specialists within the area
To participate in the training and education of other health care professionals to promote awareness of the benefits of normalising and creative play in hospital, both internally and externally
To keep accurate and contemporaneous records in line with Information Governance policies and procedures
To attend mandatory and statutory training as required according to Trust policies.
- Follow agreed policies, protocols and guidelines within the unit and trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English grade A-C or equivalent Level 2 or above in Literacy and Numeracy.
- Minimum of a Level 3 qualification in childcare or early years or related field (E.g. BTEC or CACHE diploma)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Willingness and ability to undertake Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
Desirable
- Safeguarding Children training/ experience
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of two years employment working with children, after gaining level 3 qualification in childcare or early years
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
Desirable
- Experience of working with teenagers
- Experience of working with young people experiencing mental health challenges (eg disordered eating, self harm)
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to Leeds to undertake academic studies
- A placement in a healthcare setting, with a HPS Mentor.
- The mentor must be a qualified and registered HPS, who has also completed and is up to date with the mentor training provided by SoHPS
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Very good communication skills
- Awareness of safeguarding children principles and responsibilities
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of literature and
- legislation relating to children and young people
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English grade A-C or equivalent Level 2 or above in Literacy and Numeracy.
- Minimum of a Level 3 qualification in childcare or early years or related field (E.g. BTEC or CACHE diploma)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Willingness and ability to undertake Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
Desirable
- Safeguarding Children training/ experience
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of two years employment working with children, after gaining level 3 qualification in childcare or early years
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
Desirable
- Experience of working with teenagers
- Experience of working with young people experiencing mental health challenges (eg disordered eating, self harm)
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to Leeds to undertake academic studies
- A placement in a healthcare setting, with a HPS Mentor.
- The mentor must be a qualified and registered HPS, who has also completed and is up to date with the mentor training provided by SoHPS
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Very good communication skills
- Awareness of safeguarding children principles and responsibilities
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of literature and
- legislation relating to children and young people
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
University Hospital of North Durham
North Road
Durham
County Durham
DH1 5TW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
