Play Leader

Job overview

• To assist the nursing and multidisciplinary team in meeting the needs of children and their families by undertaking delegated duties that support and enable the delivery of family centred care.
• To utilise play as a means of improving children’s understanding and ability to process elements of hospital admission.
• To provide distraction and activities during the hospital stay to maximise the wellbeing of the child and family.
• To support the nursing team with elements of clinical care, including completing observations and other investigations.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake play and provide activities with children of all ages in a hospital setting.
• Provide distraction to reduce distress during procedures and investigations.
• Undertake clinical observations and investigations.
• Communicate with families and update them on care.
• Escalate concerns through nursing and multidisciplinary team.
• Clearly document all care given.
• Be involved in safeguarding and child protection.
• Transfer patients between departments within the hospital.
• Work alongside staff in resus to provide emotional support.
• Ensure needs of child and family are met.
• Be wiling to learn and undertake new skills.
• Attend training including mandatory training and other study days relevant to your role.
• Bring ideas and enthusiasm to help improve the experience of children and young people in the Paediatric Emergency Department.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To maintain and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan. Using knowledge of child development when selecting play activities.
• To work as part of the play team, to select and apply therapeutic play techniques to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy, and post procedural play.
• To provide support to families under stress and in crisis.
• To undertake learning to enable them to perform observations on children/young people. To be able to interpret these in comparison to normal values and indicators and communicate them accordingly. Understands and follows correct escalation procedure when any concerns arise.
• Demonstrate willingness in learning/performing clinical skills for example ECGs, urinalysis, venepuncture and cannulation.
• Be aware of the importance of safeguarding children/families and will report any concerns following departmental and Trust policies and procedures.
• Works a range of shifts, which will cover evenings, weekends and holidays, in order to meet the needs of the Paediatric Emergency Department as a 24 hour service.
• To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• Works as an effective team member. Understands the importance of team working in the delivery of high quality care.
• Demonstrates good communication with children, families and colleagues. Effectively communicates in both verbal and written form.
• Involves children and families in decisions about their care and wellbeing and advocates for them amongst the multidisciplinary team.
• To respect the individuality, values, and cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
• Practices within Data Protection/ Confidentiality/ Caldicott principles and follows relevant policy and procedure.
• Be responsible for maintaining equipment in accordance with Trust health and safety standards.
• Is able to identify how complaints may arise and how they should be dealt with.
• Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. The post holder must ensure that he/ she works within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures for safe working practices.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continued personal development and attend booked study days.

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.