Senior Play Specialist

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Fulfil your potential in hospitals that make history:

Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary's, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea and Western Eye.

With five world-renowned hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is full of opportunity if you are looking to develop your healthcare career.

We are an NHS Trust of approximately 14,000 people, providing care for over a million and a half patients from north west London and beyond every year.

We have a rich heritage and an ambitious vision for the future of our patients and local communities.

With our partners, Imperial College London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, we form Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, one of 6 academic health science centres in the UK, working to ensure the rapid translation of research for better patient care and excellence in education.

We are proud of our heritage in innovation and we are early adopters of new insights in technologies, techniques and treatments for improving health.

Job overview

The Paediatric Emergency Department opened a Paediatric Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) in May 2017 as part of the Emergency Department refurbishment. All ED staff have the opportunity to work in this 4 bedded unit, caring for a range of paediatric patient's requiring continued care from the Paediatric ED.

We are looking for a hardworking and enthusiastic individual who is confident in an acute hospital environment to join our team as a part time Band 5 Play Specialist (0.4WTE) providing age appropriate play and distraction for children attending the Emergency Department. You will be supported by a Play team leader and the Modern Matron in ED.

You will need to have excellent communication skills in communicating both with the multidisciplinary team and the children and families. You will have the opportunity to work in all areas of the Paediatric ED including major trauma/resuscitation and the Paediatric CDU. Staff members are expected to undertake mandatory study in accordance with their personal development programme.

Main duties of the job

• To use theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play within the emergency department environment, contributing towards the holistic care of children & 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 supervise, support and mentor junior staff, students and volunteers.
• To assist with the service planning and delivery of the play service.

Working for our organisation

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 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. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent
• Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
• Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of Professional Body (NAHPS or CLC)

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven post-qualifying experience including individual and group work with children from a diversity of backgrounds.
• Good clinical experience with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and community.
• Experience with family-centred work
• Experience of audit procedures.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of formal teaching concerning the area of play in hospital
• Experience with adolescents

Skills/Knowledge/ Abilities

Essential criteria

• Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions relevant to patient group and treatment plan.
• Applied knowledge of current theories of child development, theory and practice of play, psychodynamics and family dynamics.
• Good working knowledge of the Children's Act, data protection act, Safeguarding, cultural issues and equal opportunities.
• Ability to act as an advocate for the service.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.

Desirable criteria

• Confidence and mentorship abilities.
• Able to communicate with people in an appropriate manner which is consistent with their needs.

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job description (PDF, 542.9KB)
• Functional Requirement Form (PDF, 232.6KB)
• Our Strategy 2023-25 (PDF, 230.4KB)