Hospital Play Specialist / Trainee Hospital Play Specialist

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Hospital Play Specialist to join our team.  This is a Part time , 24 hours post worked over 3 days (Monday - Friday with occasional Saturday)

You would ideally have a Hospital Play Specialism qualification or be willing to work towards this. Courses run from September. These are day release for 2 years to either Cardiff or Leeds.

If you are not a qualified Play specialist, your salary will be on the Annex 21 pay scale and will increase once qualified.

You must have a level 3 child care qualification & GCSE Math's and English to be eligible for the course.

You must have excellent communication skills; the ability to communicate and work with children and young people up to the age of 18yrs and work within a multidisciplinary team.

Previous experience looking after children in hospital, and young people with additional needs would also be beneficial.

Main duties of the job

You will be based on Alice ward which is an orthopaedic surgical and rehabilitation ward Patients range from the age of 0-18yrs

You will carry out play activities on a one to one basis with a child and/or a group of children and their families /carers.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all play activities, education resources and equipment are age appropriate whilst promoting awareness of the emotional needs of children in hospital and the importance of play, within the multi-disciplinary team.

To have a working knowledge and be able to carry out distraction techniques as is appropriate for the child and procedure.

To be responsible for ensuring that a whole range of toys and equipment is available for ward and clinic use, being age appropriate whilst also maintaining safety and hygiene standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be able to assess and use own initiative to provide appropriate play activities for children.
• To provide a wide variety of play activities to suit the individual child’s capability.
• To provide preparation and post procedural play activities for children having invasive procedures, which will assist in reducing the child’s anxieties.
• Advise parents / carers of suitable toys and play materials to meet their child’s individual needs.
• To prepare individual play programmes for referred children, as directed by the hospital Play specialist.
• Regular cleaning and general maintenance of play material.
• To observe and assess the child development reporting any significant information to relevant members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To understand the needs of children with complex needs and psychological issues.
• Knowledge of the impact of illness and hospitalisation on the child and family.
• Ensure accurate records are documented in the child’s nursing pathway.
• Ensure a family centred care approach is advocated.
• Ensure due regard is given to the customs, culture, values and spiritual beliefs of the patient, family, carers and staff.  To uphold the Trust's Diversity/Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Ensure due regard is given to the safety of patient’s belongings according to Trust policies.
• Basic life support skills are essential and will be updated at least yearly.
• Ability to call help and support staff in the event of an emergency.
• Be accountable for own practice and take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge and professional competence.
• To work effectively as a team member within the department.
• Ensure health promotion is up to date in the paediatric area, providing children and their families with relevant and current information.
• Work within allocated budget.
• Attend yearly statutory training to ensure adherence to Trust policy and current legislation.
• Attend relevant in-house training sessions which is pertinent to own clinical practice, to enhance knowledge and skill, maintaining competencies.
• Participate in a yearly appraisal, setting personal objectives for own professional development plan.

Annex 21 Pay scale

(i) up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate; (ii) more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate; (iii) more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training: 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate; (iv) more than three years from completion of training: 60 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate

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. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.  For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)