Health Play Specialist

Job overview

We are looking for two passionate Health Play Specialists to join our Paediatric Oncology/haematology Outpatient Unit. You will join a well-established, valued Play team who are proactive and determined in providing positive hospital experiences and quality intervention for children and families.

A strong candidate will have excellent knowledge and skills of therapeutic and normalising play and have a great understanding of the impact of hospitalisation on the child and their families. You’ll have excellent communication skills and can work autonomously and with members of the multidisciplinary team.

If you are enthusiastic and committed to providing exceptional care through normalising and therapeutic play then we would like to hear from you.

You’ll hold an FdA in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent. A valid registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists is needed. Return to practice or year 2 of Health Play Specialism Fda/Apprenticeship applications are welcome.

Main duties of the job

The unit cares for children(0-16yrs) with Haematological or Oncological diagnosis, including general anaesthetic procedures as well as awake scans, consultations, tests and infusions including Chemotherapy

You’ll be motivated to create positive experiences for patients in hospital. You’ll have referrals and use evidence-based practice to assess, plan and implement therapeutic interventions to reduce anxiety, supporting children and their families in hospital.

You’ll encourage normal development and rehabilitation through your ability to connect with patients, providing appropriate play opportunities. You’ll work closely with other Play Specialists on the unit, recognising the emotional needs of children in hospital.

The roles include supervising and mentoring students and working collaboratively with the wider play team to develop projects to enhance the service. You’ll be a motivated, creative thinker who wants to build on their skills and able to prioritise your workload.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have: -    applied for a Graduate visa -    or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment -    or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 14th June 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 24th June 2026.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.