Roald Dahl Health Play Specialist Band 4
Children’s and young people’s outpatients / play services team
Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity and University College London Hospital seek a Roald Dahl Play Specialist for children and young people with rare, complex and chronic conditions.
Are you a qualified health play specialist, who thrives on variety and wants to develop your work with children and young people? Do you enjoy working closely with a wide range of health professionals? Would you like to grow your skills within a play service where your development will be supported and encouraged? Do you want to be part of a team that has a clear career structure with opportunities for staff to progress? If yes then come and join us.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Roald Dahl Play Specialist, who will provide support to children and young people with a specific focus on those affected by rare, complex and chronic conditions. This unique role is the first Roald Dahl funded Play Specialist post which is an exciting opportunity to develop the role of the play specialist in enhancing the healthcare experience for children and young people.
The role based in children and young people’s outpatients at UCLH requires the successful applicant to develop the service for patients with rare, complex and chronic conditions and increase the support provided. Part of the role will include developing new preparation resources for patients, supporting patients to manage treatment and procedures and use play as a tool to reduce anxiety. The successful applicant will participate in teaching both within the hospital and community settings about the value of play in healthcare, as well as teaching parent how to use play to support health care needs at home.
We are looking for a play specialist who has experience of working with children and young people in a hospital setting. You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people, be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues and use therapeutic play techniques creatively in the out patients setting. Responsibilities will include preparing children attending pre-assessment clinic, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age appropriate welcoming environment throughout the department and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively.
The post holder will work alongside a senior play specialist who will support you in your role.
The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service as and when required. The play service team consists of 24 qualified staff lead by a play services manager who will actively support your professional development.
The Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex /BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is required for this post along with current registration with HPSET. Students currently undertaking the FdA Healthcare play specialism are welcome to apply.
Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity has 52 Roald Dahl Specialist Children’s Nurses and 2 Paediatric Neuro-Rehab Occupational Therapists giving expert help to families across the UK. Roald Dahl Specialist Children’s Nurses play a critical and complex role. They work directly with the patient and family whilst providing a link between them and the consultant and the hospital.
To apply:
For more information about how to apply for this post and for access to the job description, application form and background information please visit the NHS Jobs website.
Closing date: 10th October
Interview date; 19th October
If you would like further information or you would like to arrange an informal visit which we strongly encourage, please contact Irene O’Donnell, UCLH Play Services Manager on 0845 155 5000 ex 74626 Irene.O’[email protected] or Jenny Oliver Deputy Play Services [email protected]
Join the UK leaders in private children’s care
Play Specialist
The Portland Hospital
Salary: £27,657 – £31,323 depending upon experience
Based in Central London, the Portland Hospital is the only independent hospital in the UK entirely dedicated to women and children. Our inpatient and outpatient specialties reflect this, providing clinical expertise in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Women`s Health.
As a play specialist here, you’ll work to provide a high quality play service for children in our inpatient surgical, medical Wards, Neurorehabilitation Unit, MRI, PICU, Pre-Admission Clinics and Day Care Unit. Maintaining a safe, sympathetic environment, you’ll help children to play and cope with the hospital environment.
You’ll plan and implement effective play programmes based on therapeutic assessments of children and young people at the hospital. You’ll also provide preparation and distraction therapy, as well as post-procedural play. Finally, you’ll work with our multidisciplinary teams to monitor the children’s progress, as well as the overall effectiveness of their care plans.
To apply for this role you should have Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People, or equivalent. Membership of HPSET and NAHPS is essential. Beyond that, you’ll need a strong theoretical understanding of therapeutic play and child development, as well as a sound knowledge of current best practice in procedural play skills. Your empathetic nature and strong communications skills go without saying.
If this sounds like you then this is an amazing opportunity not just to join one of the UK’s foremost children’s hospitals, but to contribute to some of the most sophisticated, comprehensive children’s care in the world.
Find out more about us on Page 18 of this month’s NAHPS newsletter - Hospital Play Team Spotlight
To find out more and apply, please email [email protected]
