Search for more NHS jobs in Plymouth
Job overview
We have an opportunity to join us as a Therapeutic Play Specialist. Based in all paediatric areas on level 12, to provide play activities, recreational support, therapeutic interventions for medical procedures also working on: Children’s and Young Peoples Outpatients, Children’s Assessment Unit, Children’s High Dependency Unit, Paediatric ED and Children’s Theatres.
Service provided between 8am – 8pm 7 days a week – 37.5 hours.
The Play Team is an essential part of the multi-disciplinary team supplying care for babies through to adolescents.
Providing counselling care for the extended family.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
- To undertake assessments and devise play programmes for children and young people with specific need in hospital according to their individual needs.
- To plan and implement individual preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures – to do distraction therapy and to provide post-procedural play.
- To provide support to families under stress and in crisis.
- To provide reasonable adjustment plans for referred outpatients
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Identify a child’s play needs, provide activities according to age, ability and medical condition.
- Organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children / young people according to their needs, using all methods and equipment to meet specific needs.
- Assess and provide play programmes for children / young people according to their individual needs.
- Establish effective communication written and verbal with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Work as a member of the play team and to contribute to decisions regarding patients.
- Select, monitor and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group.
- To supervise and monitor the performance of volunteers.
- To teach students, student nurses and student doctors about the benefits of therapeutic play and distraction therapy, undertaking student assessments, as necessary.
For further information please see attached job description
Person specification
Desirable
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience working with children with challenging behaviour.
- Demonstrable experience of working with children with long term health conditions and their families
- Child Protection Training
- Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC / HPSEB
- Counselling skills
Essential
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with children / young people in a hospital setting.
- Demonstrable experience of working with parents and extended families
- Demonstrable experience of working with children with special needs. Knowledge of current best practice.
- Proven ability to work with individuals and groups of children and young people
- To apply fully play preparation, distraction therapy, and post procedural play.
- Proven ability to communicate with families in crisis / under stress.
- Understanding of therapeutic play.
- Knowledge of child development and related issues.
- Knowledge of child protection issues.
- Knowledge of cultural / religious diversity of patients / families.
- Knowledge of effects of hospitalisation on children and their families
- NNEB or equivalent
- To have documented evidence of continuing professional development.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Proven ability to reflect and appraise own performance.
- Mature and professional approach.
- Play preparation, distraction therapy, and post-procedural play.
- Able to communicate with families in crisis / under stress.
- Manage own patients
- Empathy
- Initiative
- Proven ability to make decisions
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct and its application in practice.
- Knowledge of health legislation and NAHPS guidelines for professional practice.
- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
- Awareness of health and safety risk management.
- Proven ability to handle cash / cheque donations.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 4 Dietetic Assistant roles in Plymouth
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Therapeutic Play Specialist with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (20 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.