Hospital Play Specialist

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 27 April 2025

Job summary

To foster an environment conducive to development for all children who are in his/her care, through the best use of play and stimulation within limits of the child's capacity.

To provide support for the child and family .

To plan, implement and evaluate play programmes for children and young people. prepare children/ young people for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.

Provide distraction techniques in theatre, working alongside the multidisciplinary team

Build therapeutic relationships and family centred care with the service user.

Main duties of the job

Create a suitable environment with the co-operation of other staff in which play occurs naturally for children and young people participating in research and the clinical areas they move through: the Clinical Research Facility, the 2nd floor research area, the Day Ward area, Theatres, Paediatric Accident and Emergency and Paediatric Outpatient Clinics. To supervise play environment in the satellite locations as directed by the Paediatric & Research Service, as required.

Participate in the assessment of play development needs of individual children.

Provide organised play and/or stimulation within the restrictions of the environment and the individual child's condition.

Participate in the provision of play preparation and distraction for clinical procedures and for children undergoing surgery.

Be responsible for the selection of materials, toys and play equipment and see that the equipment and toys are safe, clean and maintained in good order.

Liaise with multi - disciplinary team with regard to appropriate play and observe and report on individual children's response to play.

About us

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:

  • Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
  • Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
  • Free 24/7 independent counselling service
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Easy and quick transport links
  • A range of attractive benefits and discounts
  • Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
  • Free Pilates classes
  • Full support and training to develop your skills
  • Flexible working friendly organisation

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,944 to £34,937 a year per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

23 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

273-DC-6936005-B

Job locations

Research RDCEC

3 Peerless St.

RDCEC

EC1V 9EZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Participate in safeguarding children and young people within the Trust to ensure their safety and to adhere to the safeguarding policy.

Supervise students undertaking childcare courses from educational Institutes.

Welcome and make each family as comfortable as possible in the waiting and play areas. Communicate to parents in a manner that they understand with regards to their child. Provide support to families under stress and in crisis.

Devise individual play programmes for children and young people in the hospital and provide play and distraction within clinics and satellite clinics.

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of the child and their families and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Keep abreast of trends by attending study days and conferences at the discretion of the Senior Play Team staff and senior Paediatric and Research Nursing staff.

Review and reflect on own practice through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal.

Preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Participate in safeguarding children and young people within the Trust to ensure their safety and to adhere to the safeguarding policy.

Supervise students undertaking childcare courses from educational Institutes.

Welcome and make each family as comfortable as possible in the waiting and play areas. Communicate to parents in a manner that they understand with regards to their child. Provide support to families under stress and in crisis.

Devise individual play programmes for children and young people in the hospital and provide play and distraction within clinics and satellite clinics.

Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of the child and their families and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Keep abreast of trends by attending study days and conferences at the discretion of the Senior Play Team staff and senior Paediatric and Research Nursing staff.

Review and reflect on own practice through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal.

Preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS)
  • Revalidate yearly and keep up to date with registration

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
  • Knowledge of up to date best practice
  • Knowledge pertaining to clinical governance

Desirable

  • Complete hospital passport with families
  • Willingness to learn ophthalmic procedures and diagnosis
  • Willingness to appraise play leaders in the team

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years minimum experience working with children and young people

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to provide person centred care through play to children/adolescents
  • Great verbal and written communication skills
  • Good organisational skills
  • Plan, implement and evaluate play plans and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play
  • Health, safety, and risk awareness

Desirable

  • IT Skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS)
  • Revalidate yearly and keep up to date with registration

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
  • Knowledge of up to date best practice
  • Knowledge pertaining to clinical governance

Desirable

  • Complete hospital passport with families
  • Willingness to learn ophthalmic procedures and diagnosis
  • Willingness to appraise play leaders in the team

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years minimum experience working with children and young people

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to provide person centred care through play to children/adolescents
  • Great verbal and written communication skills
  • Good organisational skills
  • Plan, implement and evaluate play plans and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play
  • Health, safety, and risk awareness

Desirable

  • IT Skills

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Research RDCEC

3 Peerless St.

RDCEC

EC1V 9EZ


Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Research RDCEC

3 Peerless St.

RDCEC

EC1V 9EZ


Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Charge Nurse

Karen Andiapen

karen.andiapen@nhs.net

02075662595

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,944 to £34,937 a year per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

23 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

273-DC-6936005-B

Job locations

Research RDCEC

3 Peerless St.

RDCEC

EC1V 9EZ


Supporting documents

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