Job summary
Health Play Specialist
Band 4 1wte/37.5hrs per week
FTC until 31st March 2024
University College London Hospital is looking for a Health Play Specialist to join our Play and Youth Services Team.
Have you been working as a lone worker and would like the experience of working in a large team where play is exceedingly valued? Do you currently work in a small team and would like to expand to work in a larger, well established team? Are you a current student on the Health Play specialist course qualifying this year?
We are looking for a Health Play Specialist or a student currently on the play specialist course who is qualifying this year, who is committed to providing high quality care to patients throughout various services within the Children and Young People Division. The post works closely with the MDT to support children, young people and their families attending UCLH. Our team support children, young people and their families in a variety of specialities including but no exclusive to, radiotherapy, oncology inpatients/outpatients, general paediatrics and young people inpatient and outpatient services, ENT and dental.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will implement specialised play interventions throughout the busy environment. You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people, be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues and use therapeutic play techniques creatively throughout the setting. Responsibilities will include supporting children and young people admitted, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age appropriate welcoming environment throughout the area and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to expand your knowledge, skills and experience as a play specialist within a leading, award winning play team who support children and young people from 0 to 25 years. A team which is led by a supportive leadership team who are members of the governing bodies of play, striving to embed high quality specialised play practices on a national level.
The successful applicant will need to be passionate and committed to effectively meet the needs of children, young people and their families throughout the setting, as well as promote the value of play in healthcare.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Flexible hours including some weekend and bank holiday working is required to meet the needs of the service.
The Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex /BTEC in Specialised Play for the Sick Child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is a requirement for this post along with current registration with HPSET.
We welcome applications from individuals who are currently completing the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism and are due to qualify within the next 12 months. If successful the trainee will be paid in accordance with annex 21 of NHS Terms and Conditions (75% of maximum of Band 4) for the period leading up until they are qualified.
If you would like further information or you would like to arrange an informal visit, which we strongly encourage, please contact;
Irene ODonnell; UCLH Play Services Manager: Irene.ODonnell@nhs.net or
Jenny Oliver; UCLH Deputy Play and Youth Services Manager: jenny.oliver5@nhs.net
Telephone:0845 155 5000 ex 74626
Job description
Job responsibilities
Flexible hours including some weekend and bank holiday working is required to meet the needs of the service.
The Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex /BTEC in Specialised Play for the Sick Child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is a requirement for this post along with current registration with HPSET.
We welcome applications from individuals who are currently completing the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism and are due to qualify within the next 12 months. If successful the trainee will be paid in accordance with annex 21 of NHS Terms and Conditions (75% of maximum of Band 4) for the period leading up until they are qualified.
If you would like further information or you would like to arrange an informal visit, which we strongly encourage, please contact;
Irene ODonnell; UCLH Play Services Manager: Irene.ODonnell@nhs.net or
Jenny Oliver; UCLH Deputy Play and Youth Services Manager: jenny.oliver5@nhs.net
Telephone:0845 155 5000 ex 74626
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- 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 oversees equivalent.
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
- Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Desirable
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and nonverbal forms.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Up to date registration with HPSET.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- 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 oversees equivalent.
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
- Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Desirable
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and nonverbal forms.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Up to date registration with HPSET.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
