Health Play Specialist - Paediatrics, Band 4
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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!
Full time / part time / includes weekend shifts
Main duties of the job
The role of the successful candidate will include working effectively under pressure caring for sick children and their families. You will also be required to promote/support the role of the play specialist within the clinical environment. The post holder will support all areas within paediatrics driven by clinical demand. They will be required to establish good communication with parents/carers and siblings, encouraging them to participate in play sessions. The post holder will need to be physically fit and active, open to further training and professional development, self-motivated, able to work in a team, and also able to work independently. They will have the ability to work effectively within an ever-changing environment and provide support during different circumstances. Day to day, you will be required to provide, organize, 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.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
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 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 fulfill their emotional, social, and developmental needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Minimum of 4 GCSE's or equivalent
* Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and email programmes
* First Aid
Experience
* Experience (through placement or employment) of working with children and young people
* Previous experience in a healthcare environment
Knowledge
* A desire to work in a hospital environment caring for acutely unwell children with kindness, compassion, dignity, and respect
* Ability to work on own initiative, independently and as part of a team
* Clear communication skills; verbally, in writing, and the use of IT
* Good interpersonal skills to convey information and work effectively with patients, and maintain good working relations with other healthcare staff
* To get on well with people at all levels, communicate, and work effectively as a team member
* Be courteous when talking to colleagues, patients, their families, and visitors on the ward and to treat everyone with dignity and respect
* Ability to plan, organize, and supervise play activities suitable for the age, ability, and medical condition of the child.
* Knowledge and understanding of child development
* Awareness of safeguarding policies and procedures.
* Have and describe an understanding of confidentiality
* Knowledge of prevention of cross-infection
Qualities
* Be both enthusiastic and self-aware
* Creative and flexible
* Resilient under pressure, whilst understanding own limitations
* Team-focused
* Reliable, adaptable, and dependable
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.
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Children's Centre, Gloucester Royal Hospital
#J-18808-Ljbffr