Play Specialist

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or department.

Will work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings.

Will assess individual child's need and provide appropriate play activities both developmental and therapeutic taking into account social and cultural needs

Facilitate appropriate play activities to assist the child and family in understanding the admission, medical and surgical procedures. Through competency training and assessment the play specialist will be able to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate this role.

Act as communication link with other team members including hospital, community staff and outside agencies representing the child and their family.

To be involved in advising and supporting children, parents and other members in the play needs of children in the hospital.

To understand and use nursing and play documentation to communicate relevant information and /or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word.

Will be responsible for writing the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of play sessions using the relevant play documentation through competency training and assessment.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good general secondary education
• NNEB/DCE/Btec National Diploma in Nursery Nursing
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Hospital Play Specialist qualification and registered with HPSET

Experience

Essential criteria

• Minimum of 2 years experience working in a relevant child-care setting

Desirable criteria

• Minimum of 1 years experience working in a Healthcare setting

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Able to identify the developmental needs of children aged 0-8 years
• Ability to provide appropriate play/recreational activities to meet the developmental needs of children
• Ensure that written information is up to date, filed and easily retrievable
• Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of good practice
• Ability to be cost effective

Physical Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to undertake manual and non-manual handling safely

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to impart skills and knowledge relating to the play/developmental needs of children to others
• Ability to apply theory to practice to support professional judgements

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

• Awareness of responsibility for maintaining standards and accurate data collection
• Professional awareness
• Time management

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria

• To participate and undertake training and education as directed

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

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