Health Play Specialist

7 days ago

London, United Kingdom University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Full time

We are looking for a play specialist who would like an opportunity of working in a supportive and diverse team within the children and young people division supporting children attending a range of departments at UCLH working in varied specialties.

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? Would you like to build upon your experience and expertise in a specialised area?

This post works within the UCLH Play and Youth Services Team and is a fantastic development 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. University College London Hospitals treat and support a highly varied range of conditions and specialties, and play is highly valued by the wider multi-disciplinary team and embedded in patient pathways.

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.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

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 in a variety of services and pathways. Responsibilities will include preparing children, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age-appropriate welcoming environment throughout the various departments and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively. Experience of working with children from diverse backgrounds would be an advantage.

The post holder will work alongside a team of play and recreation workers, play specialists and youth support co-ordinators who will support you in your role and the leadership team who will actively support your professional development.

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 required for this post along with current registration with HPSET.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the leadership team to find out more about the role and how your professional development can be supported.

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