Play Assistant

Job overview

We are seeking a Play Assistant with hospital experience to join our play team. The successful applicant will support children, adolescents and young people undergoing treatment for cancer within the Oak Centre For Children and Young People.

Experience of working with adolescents and young people is desirable.

Main duties of the job

• Work as a member of the play team to provide play/ activities for paediatric and adolescent patients. The Play Assistant will be expected to work on the McElwain / TYA ward and all areas of OCCYP.
• To provide a quality and holistic play service for all children and their families across the OCCYP unit. This would be in the play areas and also at the bedside.
• To ensure all children and adolescents have the access to the play service whilst at the hospital.
• To work with the multi disciplinary team in providing holistic care to all patients and their family.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

• To plan and facilitate play /activities for children and adolescents in hospital. To adapt the activity to meet their developmental, medical and holistic needs.
• To plan a programme of daily activities, which is appropriate to the child and adolescent. This will be on the wards, Day care and Outpatients.
• To assist in the creation of a caring, stimulating, fun and safe environment. For the patients and their siblings.
• To support parents/carers and signpost to the appropriate member of the multi – disciplinary team.
• To plan, organise weekly activity programmes and monthly events.
• Be responsible for the maintenance, safety and cleaning of all play resources. Complying with the infection control policy and procedures.
• Establish effective communication written and verbal, with all members of the multi-disciplinary and nursing team. To attend multi-disciplinary meeting.
• To be flexible to the needs of the service and use initiative when service needs change.
• Provide written documented play plan observations as requested by the multi-disciplinary team.
• To annotate and document into the patient notes on Epic.
• To refer onto the Play Team Lead, Play Specialist if there are any concerns about a patient or their family. Also if there is the need for an aspect of the Play Specialist role to be implemented.
• On a regular basis to audit, plan, and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group.

Applicant requirements

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.