Job summary
We have a rare vacancy in our Health Play team for a Play specialist.
We are looking for a dynamic, energetic person who will bring new ideas and innovations to an established team. The aim of the team is to provide a high quality holistic play service for children, young people and their families enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment.
Main duties of the job
* To assess ,plan, implement and evaluate play interventions whilst being aware of the emotional needs of the child.
*To use therapeutic techniques such as preparation, distraction and post procedural play to suit the individual needs of the child and reduce any negative or psychological effects of hospitalisation.
*To plan and implement play activities and prioritise workload.
*To provide support for the child and family by demonstrating play and communication skills with the child in different settings within the Trust.
*To advise parents on dealing with behavioral/emotional/physical problems arising from hospitalisation.
*To provide documented play based observations and actions to influence and support overall assessment of the child, reporting concerns to the nurse in charge.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K).
The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care, child health, maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
The Trust provides 500 beds and employs over 5,000 members of staff.
A wide range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools by Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance.
With the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust became a strategic partner in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester 'places' and is part of the Cheshire and Merseyside partnership, caring for a population of over 2.7million.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign.Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been included in the Government's 'New Hospital Programme' to replace the current estate and enable the transformation of healthcare for our community.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Using theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate play interventions whilst being aware of the emotional needs of the hospitalised child
- To use therapeutic techniques such as preparation, distraction and post procedural play to suit the individual needs of the child and reduce any negative or psychological effects of hospitalisation
- To plan and implement play activities and prioritise workload
- To provide support for the child and family by demonstrating play and communication skills with the child in different departments throughout the Trust e.g. outpatients, radiology
- To advise parents on dealing with behavioural/emotional/physical problems arising from hospitalisation
- To create a safe and welcoming environment for all children to experience play whilst in hospital
- Participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within the hospital and community (if appropriate) to decisions with regard to patient care/treatment
- Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team whilst acting as the advocate for the child & family
- To provide documented play based observations and actions to influence and support overall assessment of the child and report any concerns to the nurse in charge
- To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards
- To select, monitor and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group
- To be responsible for maintaining play equipment, in accordance with trust health, safety and infection prevention and control policies
- To co-ordinate the day to day activities of students and support staff
- Share knowledge and experiences to promote therapeutic benefits of play
- To participate in the planning and implementation of the training/education of students and other members of the multidisciplinary team
- To participate in the orientation, training and supervision of new staff and students
- Where appropriate to support and involve parents in their childs treatment and play plans
- To refer children to Local Education Authority who require educational support
- Ensure up to date knowledge of child protection procedures
- To establish communication links with other agencies involved with the child
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, contributing to the provision of a service which is sensitive to their needs
- To participate in audit, surveys, projects and research for the service as appropriate
- To comment on policies and procedures which impact on the play service
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.
- Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in KSF/appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.
- Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C polices, protocols or advice.
- Always work in accordance with the values and behaviours of the trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Using theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate play interventions whilst being aware of the emotional needs of the hospitalised child
- To use therapeutic techniques such as preparation, distraction and post procedural play to suit the individual needs of the child and reduce any negative or psychological effects of hospitalisation
- To plan and implement play activities and prioritise workload
- To provide support for the child and family by demonstrating play and communication skills with the child in different departments throughout the Trust e.g. outpatients, radiology
- To advise parents on dealing with behavioural/emotional/physical problems arising from hospitalisation
- To create a safe and welcoming environment for all children to experience play whilst in hospital
- Participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within the hospital and community (if appropriate) to decisions with regard to patient care/treatment
- Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team whilst acting as the advocate for the child & family
- To provide documented play based observations and actions to influence and support overall assessment of the child and report any concerns to the nurse in charge
- To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards
- To select, monitor and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group
- To be responsible for maintaining play equipment, in accordance with trust health, safety and infection prevention and control policies
- To co-ordinate the day to day activities of students and support staff
- Share knowledge and experiences to promote therapeutic benefits of play
- To participate in the planning and implementation of the training/education of students and other members of the multidisciplinary team
- To participate in the orientation, training and supervision of new staff and students
- Where appropriate to support and involve parents in their childs treatment and play plans
- To refer children to Local Education Authority who require educational support
- Ensure up to date knowledge of child protection procedures
- To establish communication links with other agencies involved with the child
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, contributing to the provision of a service which is sensitive to their needs
- To participate in audit, surveys, projects and research for the service as appropriate
- To comment on policies and procedures which impact on the play service
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.
- Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in KSF/appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.
- Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C polices, protocols or advice.
- Always work in accordance with the values and behaviours of the trust
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevent qualification as detailed in personal specification
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people from a diversity of backgrounds
Desirable
- Experience working with adolescents with mental health needs
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation on children and young people
Desirable
- Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevent qualification as detailed in personal specification
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people from a diversity of backgrounds
Desirable
- Experience working with adolescents with mental health needs
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation on children and young people
Desirable
- Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures
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).
