Radiotherapy/Proton Beam Therapy Health Play Specialist
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Health Play Specialist to join our experienced and forward-thinking team of Health Play Specialists. The post holder will work with paediatric and teenage and young adult (TYA) patients across both the radiotherapy (RT) and Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) departments supporting patients and their families attending for planning and treatment. They will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in reducing the anxiety associated with RT/PBT treatments.
UCLH is the largest provider of paediatric and TYA radiotherapy services in the UK, treating approximately 300 patients per year. The RT department delivers radiotherapy services for a broad spectrum of cancers comprising of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including brachytherapy, molecular radiotherapy and total body irradiation. The PBT department focuses predominantly on head and neck, neurological and sarcoma treatment sites and is one of only two NHS PBT centres in the UK.
We are seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake the core aspects of the Health Play Specialist role, from building trusting relationships to preparing for each stage of the RT/PBT pathway. Daily activities will include supporting and distracting during invasive procedures using a range of therapeutic techniques, as well as normalising and recreational play. Other duties involve documentation and attendance at MDT and clinics. There are also opportunities for supporting and mentoring students, teaching and presentations, and developing the role across both departments. They will also benefit from being part of a wider play team supporting other paediatric/TYA services here at UCLH.
Applicants are required to have experience of working with paediatric and TYAs in a healthcare setting and to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. They will need to be able to engage easily with the patient and to be able to work effectively alongside MDT colleagues to enhance the hospital experience. The postholder will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is highly valued as an integral part of the treatment pathway for children and young people.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
Job responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation. The post holder will play a key role in managing paediatric and TYA patients with complex needs who are undergoing a course of RT/PBT. It will be necessary to use evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play and recreational interventions. They will play a role in generating new solutions to identify and best meet the needs of patients and their families and manage projects under the supervision of the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Coordinators. The post holder will monitor the play environments to ensure that these are age-appropriate areas where play and recreation occurs naturally. They will work closely with the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Coordinators in the overall pathway management of Paediatric and TYA patients within the service and for meeting national and local targets.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
* BSc in therapeutic radiography or equivalent formal qualification.
* Health Profession Council (HPC) registration as a therapy radiographer.
Skills and Abilities
* To be able to explain the patient's journey through the radiotherapy department, and the various stages of simulation, planning, treatment and follow up.
* Be enthusiastic and motivated, with the ability to work with the team through times of change.
* Be able to demonstrate a knowledge of QA systems.
* Basic understanding of Governance issues.
* Implications for national collection and input of data.
* Other affiliated department IT e.g. Epic.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary: £35,964 to £43,780 a year, per annum inclusive of HCAS.
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