Job summary
We welcome a fun, enthusiatic & dedicated Healthcare Play Specialist to join our team.
This is a qualified post but is open to those currently undertaking the Healthcare Play Specialism training course.
This is the perfect opportunity for you to continue to develop and learn within a busy and friendly children's department. The job would suit someone who has solid experience working in the role or on placement .
The job is varied and interesting, with specialities including Haematology/Oncology, Diabetes, Allergy, Renal, Infectious Disease, Neurology. Housing a trauma centre, children's intensive care and emergency department means that there is always a lot of opportunity to use your exisiting skills, whilst continuing to learn & experience different things.
If you have great communication skills, a solid foundation of experience with children & young people and a passion for play we would love to hear from you.
Please note that only applicants with the required qualification or currently undertaking the training can be considered for the post.
Main duties of the job
- To use theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play programmes for children & young people within the departments, contributing towards the holistic care of children and young people.
- To foster an awareness of the emotional needs of children within the hospital and promote the importance of play within the multi-disciplinary team.
- To support the creation of an appropriate & safe enviornemnt for children, young people & their families
- To supervise, support and mentor junior staff, students and volunteers.
- To assist with the service planning and delivery of the play service.
About us
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.
Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities. We encourage staff to have the Covid vaccination to protect themselves, patients, other colleagues as well as the wider community. Please note it is an operational requirement to comply with infection prevention and control procedures within the Trust such as lateral flow testing, handwashing and the wearing of masks, according to the procedures in place at any time or location. As part of our continued response to Covid19 we are still conducting the majority of our interviews virtually.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part-time or job share.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see full detailsin attached job description document
Clinical/Therapeutic
- To plan and provide play, support and therapeutic interventions to help children and young people cope with hospitalisation and overcome difficulties associated with their condition and/or treatment.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate play programmes, including timely preparation, support and procedural play.
- To provide normalising and interactive play, in Isolation or with others, as appropriate to the developmental, emotional and medical needs of the child.
- To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of the child.
- To monitor, reflect upon and modify therapeutic interventions to measure best outcomes.
- Work in partnership with children & families encouraging their involvement where appropriate and contributing towards an environment in which advocacy is promoted.
- Liaise and work alongside colleagues to provide a continuity of care for long term patients between inpatient & outpatient services.
- Through the provision of play provide support for the families and siblings that are under stress and in crisis.
- To accept referrals for play input, preparation and support from within Childrens Services and for non-childrens services as directed by the Play Team Lead.
- To provide cover to another ward/department as appropriate to the needs of the service
- Create a welcoming, safe and age appropriate environment for children & young people.
- Co-ordinate special events and celebrate childrens successes/achievements
Communication
- To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care both inside and outside of the hospital. For example;
- Devising care plans and planning daily input with other members of the play & MDT team
- attending relevant handovers
- attending & contributing to relevant meetings, including play meetings, weekly MDT and case reviews
- documenting input in medical notes
- sharing information & seeking support for any worries or concerns with the appropriate person within the service, e.g Safeguarding, Team Leader, Ward manager
Documentation
- To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. To document in play and shared care notes as appropriate.
Professional Ethics
- To comply with the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- Pay due regard at all times to the Trusts and Children's Services Policies, especially Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and issues related to the Children act and children rights.
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues and discuss those that arise with senior staff.
Leadership, Supervision & Appraisal
- To undertake the day to day supervision of students, volunteers and visitors within the play department.
- To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects relevant to role.
- To be an active participant in the appraisal process.
Training Staff & Students
- To participate in the implementation of the training/education of students and other members of the multidisciplinary team alongside senior team members.
Service Development & Delivery
- To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols.
- To be proactive in the delivery of the play service and contribute toward the planning for the needs of the service, alongside senior team members.
- To offer flexible working across the Childrens Services
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see full detailsin attached job description document
Clinical/Therapeutic
- To plan and provide play, support and therapeutic interventions to help children and young people cope with hospitalisation and overcome difficulties associated with their condition and/or treatment.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate play programmes, including timely preparation, support and procedural play.
- To provide normalising and interactive play, in Isolation or with others, as appropriate to the developmental, emotional and medical needs of the child.
- To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of the child.
- To monitor, reflect upon and modify therapeutic interventions to measure best outcomes.
- Work in partnership with children & families encouraging their involvement where appropriate and contributing towards an environment in which advocacy is promoted.
- Liaise and work alongside colleagues to provide a continuity of care for long term patients between inpatient & outpatient services.
- Through the provision of play provide support for the families and siblings that are under stress and in crisis.
- To accept referrals for play input, preparation and support from within Childrens Services and for non-childrens services as directed by the Play Team Lead.
- To provide cover to another ward/department as appropriate to the needs of the service
- Create a welcoming, safe and age appropriate environment for children & young people.
- Co-ordinate special events and celebrate childrens successes/achievements
Communication
- To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care both inside and outside of the hospital. For example;
- Devising care plans and planning daily input with other members of the play & MDT team
- attending relevant handovers
- attending & contributing to relevant meetings, including play meetings, weekly MDT and case reviews
- documenting input in medical notes
- sharing information & seeking support for any worries or concerns with the appropriate person within the service, e.g Safeguarding, Team Leader, Ward manager
Documentation
- To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. To document in play and shared care notes as appropriate.
Professional Ethics
- To comply with the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- Pay due regard at all times to the Trusts and Children's Services Policies, especially Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and issues related to the Children act and children rights.
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues and discuss those that arise with senior staff.
Leadership, Supervision & Appraisal
- To undertake the day to day supervision of students, volunteers and visitors within the play department.
- To demonstrate basic leadership skills through the management of designated projects relevant to role.
- To be an active participant in the appraisal process.
Training Staff & Students
- To participate in the implementation of the training/education of students and other members of the multidisciplinary team alongside senior team members.
Service Development & Delivery
- To participate in the evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols.
- To be proactive in the delivery of the play service and contribute toward the planning for the needs of the service, alongside senior team members.
- To offer flexible working across the Childrens Services
Person Specification
Education/ qualifications
Essential
- Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent Or Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up to date professional portfolio)
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
- Membership of Professional Body (NAHPS or CLC)
Experience
Essential
- Experience including individual and group work with children from a diversity of backgrounds.
- Good foundation of clinical experience with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and/or community.
- Experience with family-centred work
Desirable
- Experience with children with additional needs - such as children with challenging behaviour, disabilities and sick children within specialist areas.
- Experience of audit procedures.
- Experience & confidence working with adolescents
Skills/knowledge/ abilities
Essential
- 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 illness on children, young people and their families.
- Knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and long-term chronic illness on children, young people and their families.
Person Specification
Education/ qualifications
Essential
- Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent Or Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up to date professional portfolio)
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
- Membership of Professional Body (NAHPS or CLC)
Experience
Essential
- Experience including individual and group work with children from a diversity of backgrounds.
- Good foundation of clinical experience with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and/or community.
- Experience with family-centred work
Desirable
- Experience with children with additional needs - such as children with challenging behaviour, disabilities and sick children within specialist areas.
- Experience of audit procedures.
- Experience & confidence working with adolescents
Skills/knowledge/ abilities
Essential
- 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 illness on children, young people and their families.
- Knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and long-term chronic illness on children, young people and their families.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
