Radiotherapy/Proton Beam Therapy Health Play Specialist
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Senior Health Play Specialist to join our experienced and forward-thinking team of Advanced & Senior Health Play Specialists within the Radiotherapy (RT) and Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) departments. The post holder will support children and young people (CYP) up to the age of 18 years, and their families across both sites.
Main duties of the job
The core aspect of this role is to provide individualised preparation for children and young people coming for radiotherapy/ proton beam therapy treatment. The post holder will be involved in all aspects of preparation and support from the patient's initial consultation through to the end of their RT/ PBT. This includes preparing for and supporting the patient through immobilisation (a patient specific mould), CT and MRI scans as well as treatment, using specialist skills in preparation and distraction to help reduce anxiety associated with RT/PBT planning and treatment procedures.
The post holder will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in meetings, discussions, and assessments of the children and young people accessing our service.
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.
Job responsibilities
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 Co-ordinators. In addition, the post holder will monitor the play environments to ensure that these are age-appropriate areas where play and recreation occurs naturally. The post holder will play a role in improving the safety and quality of the services for children, contributing to safeguarding and identifying improvements. They will work closely with the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Co-ordinators in the overall pathway management of Paediatric and TYA patients within the service and for meeting national and local targets. They will work as part of the Radiotherapy Play Team as well as working independently to meet the needs of the patients and their families. The post holder will liaise closely with GOSH, in Day Care, with the UCLH paediatric cancer wards and external referring hospitals.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
* Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or overseas equivalent.
* Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
* Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (e.g., Counselling Skills certificate, Supervisory Skills Training, Presentation skills, Published articles, Conference Presentations).
* Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions relevant to patient group and treatment plan.
* Knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and long-term chronic and life-threatening illness on children and young people and their families.
* Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and ability to self-manage or seek help appropriately.
* Knowledge of current health legislation and SoHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
* Knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
* NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
Experience
* Post qualifying and recent, comprehensive experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field.
* Experience of effective working as a team member within the MDT.
* Experience of providing family centred care and working with the extended family.
* Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
* Experience of working with patients with challenging behaviours.
* Comprehensive experience of leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
* Regular supervision of students.
Skills and Abilities
* Theoretical understanding of and ability to manage & apply therapeutic play interventions for children and young people in a hospital setting including preparation, distraction therapy and post-procedural play.
* Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
* Word processing, excel and internet search skills.
* Ability to work independently as well as within a team, manage own workload and determine priorities under pressure.
* Able to communicate complex information effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and nonverbal forms.
* Counselling skills.
Other requirements
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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