Job summary
This is a new exciting opportunity for a senior play specialist to join Nottingham children's hospital. We offer a wide range of learning across various different specialities.
The successful applicant must hold the correct play specialist qualifications and be registered with the society of healthcare play specialists with an active live pin number.
The job includes providing therapeutic intervention for our patients whilst also having extra responsibilities including deputy management over the play team if the play specialist lead is absent and to become the senior clinical lead.
Main duties of the job
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will be required to provide a safe, welcoming child friendly environment for the patients and families organising play and leisure activities across the various children's wards, whilst implementing specialised play and therapeutic intervention as necessary. This role will also require management skills as you will be in a senior role and step up as deputy when the play lead is absent.
The post holder should be a qualified Hospital Play Specialist (HPS) and registered with SOHPS. They may also hold the NNEB or CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing or BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing/Childhood Studies or equivalent.
The post holder should have 2 years experience working in a hospital environment with children.
About us
With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details of the role.
The post holder will be required to provide a safe, welcoming child friendly environment for the patients and families organising play and leisure activities across the various childrens wards, whilst implementing specialised play and therapeutic intervention as necessary. This role will also require management skills as you will be in a senior role and step up as deputy when the play lead is absent.
The post holder should be a qualified Hospital Play Specialist (HPS) and registered with HPSET. They may also hold the NNEB or CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing or BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing/Childhood Studies or equivalent.
The post holder should have at least 2 years experience in post as a HPS to move into a senior role.
KEY JOB RSPONSIBILITIES
1. The post holder will be required to work some of the shift unsupervised.
2. To provide a welcoming, child friendly atmosphere with a caring, attitude towards children and their families.
3. To act as the childs advocate ensuring the childs best interests come first.
4. Devise and implement play preparation tailored to each childs individual needs and review regularly play preparation to support the child undergoing radiotherapy treatment when required.
5. Be involved in family support, liaising with other professionals, as necessary and to attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and case conferences as required.
6. Understand the need and the use of preparation, distraction, post procedural and passive play and implement this to support the child and family through treatment.
7. To understand the need for and initiate the use of specialised therapeutic play
8. To initiate and participate in preparation and distraction for invasive/painful procedures.
9. Work with the childs family as a whole, respecting their needs and wishes whilst providing the best care for the child.
10. To provide written and verbal reports as required and ensure familiarity with documentation.
11. Liaise with other professionals within the multi-disciplinary team issues concerning the childs physical, emotional and social needs.
12. Be aware of issues regarding confidentiality both on the ward and within the team.
13. Be responsible for the general maintenance of toys and equipment as required.
14. To teach parents as requested in the occupation of their child.
15. To be responsible to the child and their family to ensure that correct preparation for procedures is given.
16. Attend ward/play staff meetings.
17. Liaise with Play Co-ordinator concerning professional development needs.
18. To take an active role in the training of nursery nursing, nursing, medical and Hospital Play Specialist students and completing their reports.
19. To be involved in the mentorship and preceptorship of other members of play staff.
20. To demonstrate and teach members of the multi-disciplinary team (this may include going into the school of nursing) the theories and usage of play preparation within the department.
21. To undertake mandatory training, child protection, moving and handling, fire safety and food handling.
22. Participate in the provision of on-going education for children and their families about recreation and play activities.
23. Participate in audits which provide information of the quality and quantity of care provided by Childrens Services.
24. Assist in monitoring and evaluating the service given to patients and their carers.
25. Following individual performance management (IPM), liaise with the Hospital Play Specialist Lead in agreeing how identified training and development needs are to be met.
26. To take on specific referrals, leading and running play specialist specific clinics.
27. To act as deputy for the hospital play specialist lead and take on management duties when required and in absence of play manager.
28. To run training sessions for the play specialist team and to support them with the continued professional development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Foundation degree in healthcare play specialism
2. NNEB/BTEC in childcare, learning and education
3. Registered with SOHPS
Desirable
4. management qualifictaions
management
Desirable
5. management experience
scenarios
Essential
6. Have at least 2 years working in a hospital/hospice environment within a play team.
7. safeguarding training to evidene
Desirable
8. 5 years working with children in a variety of settings