Job overview
As the play specialist, you will help to provide high quality, holistic play service for all children, young people and their families within the Children's inpatient ward and outpatient area, enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment. Use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with children and young people whilst attending hospital which in turn will create a positive environment and patient journey. You will provide interesting and stimulating play for children, young people and their families and highlight the importance of play in assisting an atraumatic experience and aiding distraction to all health professionals and students. You will use your knowledge of child development; plan, initiate and supervise play activities for children in hospital, appropriate to their age, development, medical condition and background, in order to meet their social, emotional and developmental play needs.
Main duties of the job
If you are interested in striving to deliver excellence in paediatric care and working in a friendly and welcoming team please do contact us. We welcome a fun, enthusiastic & dedicated Healthcare Play Specialist to join our team.
- To manage and be responsible for the assessment, implementation and the evaluation of play strategies which encompass the developmental and emotional needs of the children and their families and or carers within the hospital environment.
- To apply a high level of understanding of the psychological effects of hospitalisation and long-term chronic illness, providing training and advice to members of the multi-disciplinary team
- To carry out play activities on a one-to-one basis with a child and/or a group of children and their families and or carers
- To observe for the signs of anxiety in children at all times, and if necessary, report to paediatric nursing team.
- To create an attractive child orientated environment that encourages play, and helps parents/carers and members of staff to participate in these activities
- To be responsible for ensuring that a whole range of toys and equipment is available for clinic use, being age appropriate whilst also maintaining safety and hygiene standards.
- To have a working knowledge and be able to carry out diversionary techniques as is appropriate for the child and procedure
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of two years recent and relevant experience working with children or young people.
Special Circumstances
Essential
- Able to work shift patterns which support the provision of a full play service
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge of health & safety issues in relation to maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Sound knowledge of play and distraction techniques appropriate to children in hospital
- Sound knowledge of children’s development and needs
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with all members of multi-disciplinary team and children of all ages and their families in English.
- Ability to function effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to write legible, accurate and concise reports in English.
- Ability to supervise students.
- Organised, punctual, self- motivated and positive approach to work.
Desirable
- Ability to teach others
- Sound knowledge of child protection responsibilities and procedures.
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- B.T.E.C. Hospital Play Specialist Diploma or equivalent.
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
- Membership of Professional Body (NAPHPS or CLC)
- Child Protection training
- Other relevant child care training
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Health Play Specialist-Paediatrics with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, England. It is listed as a Band 5 role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 09 Sep 2026.
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