Do you have a passion for working with children of all ages? If so, we are looking for you to join our wonderful, fun, and supportive team providing invaluable play experiences to children during hospital admissions or visits. The successful candidate will be a valuable member of the dynamic play team providing inclusive play within the Children's Services. Your role will be to work within the structure of the play department, referring to health play specialists as required for support and guidance. This can be a challenging role with emotive moments but is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact play can have on children and their families/carers.
This is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and develop professionally! The role of the successful candidate will include:
1. Having the ability to work effectively under pressure caring for sick children and their families.
2. Promoting/supporting the role of the play specialist within the clinical environment.
3. Supporting all areas within paediatrics driven by clinical demand.
4. Establishing good communication with parents/carers and siblings, encouraging them to participate in play sessions.
5. Being physically fit and active, open to further training and professional development.
6. Being self-motivated, able to work in a team, and independently.
7. Providing support during different circumstances and adapting to an ever-changing environment.
Day to day, you will be required to provide, organise, initiate, and supervise play activities for all children appropriate to their age, medical condition, and background; this will be within the playroom or at the bedside as appropriate.
Working for our organisation:
The Children's Centre is a purpose-built, modern unit. In addition, the Centre offers a unique environment for professionals to develop their paediatric experience across a range of areas:
* Paediatric Inpatient Ward - a 38-bedded unit, with a range of cubicles and shared bays.
* Paediatric Assessment Unit - designed to rapidly assess, treat, and discharge patients that are primarily referred from the Emergency Department or GPs.
* High Dependency Unit - a four-bedded unit for patients requiring complex high dependency care.
* Paediatric Day Unit - an eight-bedded elective ward for patients requiring surgery, scans, medication, and tests.
* Oncology Shared Care - a 4-bedded oncology area that forms part of the South West Regional Paediatric Oncology Service.
* Outpatient Department - a busy outpatient setting that has 15 clinic rooms.
To select and plan a wide variety of play activities to suit the individual capabilities of a child within a challenging and changing clinical environment - including the ability to record daily play activity within the child's individual record and report any comments/concerns to the health play specialist/medical/nursing team.
To advise the health play specialists of any equipment that requires replacement or repair. Ensure the play area and equipment are safe and clean to prevent cross-infection and accidents.
To communicate effectively, especially where a child's ability to do so is compromised. On occasions, the job holder may be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances.
Meeting the needs of parents/carers, acting professionally, compassionately, and consistently in day-to-day and sensitive situations.
Ability to communicate, engage children's interests, and facilitate their learning through fun play activities.
Actively promote diversity both in relation to the children and their families/carers, generally on the ward, ensuring that a culturally sensitive environment is maintained.
Work independently and use own initiative within their remit but also be a kind, supportive, and approachable team member.
Review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of supervision and appraisal.
Comply with the trust's policies and data protection act.
Basic IT skills.
Create an interesting and stimulating environment where sick children and their siblings can play normally to fulfil their emotional, social, and developmental needs.
The health and wellbeing of our staff and patients remain the priority of the Trust. Vaccination remains the best chance we have of conquering COVID, and the Trust encourages everyone to take up this offer.
Please note, this vacancy may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received, so please apply as soon as possible if you are interested. The Recruitment Team are unable to accept any applications after the position has closed on NHS Jobs.
Join us at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust! We have an ambitious plan for our journey to Outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.
As a former winner of the England for Excellence Award: Tourism Destination of the Year, the beautiful city of Gloucester and the scenic regency spa town of Cheltenham are fantastic places to work and live.
As a hospital Trust, we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.
By joining Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, new colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome and a future full of opportunities and support.
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