As the UK’s largest private children’s hospital across two sites, The Portland Hospital and The Harley Street Clinic Children’s Hospital, offer the full breadth of children’s services, specialising in complex, cancer, cardiac and neuroscience, care for both adults and children. With the most advanced medical equipment and the largest private paediatric ITU in the country. Join one of the world’s leading private healthcare providers for a fantastic opportunity to work with world class specialists; at the height of their careers who will support you in developing yours .The successful applicant will be joining a supportive and expanding team of play specialists.

Job Description

The Play Specialists are responsible for providing a high standard of care to all patients in need of the service. This role will enable you to have experience of covering a variety of paediatric areas. The service spans the paediatric wards including Children’s Outpatient, PICU, Bone marrow transplant unit, urgent care unit, Oncology, neurorehabilitation unit, MRI department, pre-admission clinics, day surgery and specialised referrals.  Working alongside the multidisciplinary team to ensure that therapeutic play is provided to long term patients including provision of a variety of play activities.

Working hours The play service runs from 7.30am -19:00 and the successful applicant will be required to work 37.5 hours a week

Competitive Salary, increasing depending upon experience

Benefits: Mentorship programme training, strong team environment, hands on management, structured career development, funded courses, health and wellbeing support system, learning opportunities with the latest cutting edge technology and medical innovation.  Private pension, private medical care cover, guaranteed annual salary review and much more that you can expect from a world class private healthcare organisation.

Duties & Responsibilities

• To undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.
• To use knowledge and understanding of child development to contribute to assessments and overall, long-team care planning in relation to therapeutic play needs.
• To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify therapeutic interventions in order to measure child’s progress and ensure effectiveness of care plan.
• To work in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to meet the overall care plan for children / young people who have complex needs or life limiting conditions.
• To promote awareness of the emotional needs of children / young people in hospital and the importance of play within the multi-disciplinary team environment where play occurs naturally.
• To use play, interpersonal and preparation skills to help child / young person work through fears/anxiety and cooperate with intrusive procedures.
• To safely and skilfully help children and young people tolerate needle interventions and or work through past traumatic episodes.
• To make or adapt play equipment for use in therapeutic and or procedural preparation.
• In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team act as an advocate for the child / young person, providing them with information and emotional support, related to play, during times of stress or crisis.
• To provide and document therapeutic sensory interventions and outcomes.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HCA policies.
• To monitor play resources and maintain play equipment in accordance with HCA health and safety and infection control standards and actively assist in the training and education of the members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To assist in orientation, training and supervision and written assessment of Nursing/Therapy students on placement and volunteers.
• Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients.

Skills & Experience

• Health Play Specialist Qualification Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People or equivalent and registered with HPSET.
• Experience of working with children/ young people in a hospital environment
• The role requires you to be able to work autonomously and alongside the multi-disciplinary team. As part of the play team, you will have opportunity to expand your skills and will be supported in your professional development.
•  Use of preparation and distraction techniques and have the ability to implement developmental and therapeutic play.

About The Individual

You will be a patient focused individual, able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity whilst also prioritising your workload effectively and portraying a professional image at all times. You must be a qualified Play Specialist with experience of working with children in a clinical environment. The role requires you to have excellent written and verbal communication skills, motivation and enthusiasm.

If you wish to find out more about this opportunity, please send through your details we would be happy to accommodate an informal visit as part of your application process and look forward to meeting you!