Senior Play Specialist - London, United Kingdom - Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

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    Permanent
    Description

    Job summary

    Cross site role - based at St. Mary's hospital.

    We have an exciting opportunity to welcome an experienced Senior Healthcare Play Specialist to join our established play service.

    It is a perfect opportunity for an accomplished, enthusiastic & dynamic play specialist to bring their specialist therapeutic play knowledge to the team. We welcome you to continue to grow and develop your skills with the support of a diverse multi-disciplinary team.

    The children's services cover a wide range of specialities and include a dedicated Children's Intensive Care & trauma service. We have a developed Haematology service, which offers care for a range of conditions, including stem cell transplants & shared care oncology.

    As a senior member of the team you will need to have significant post-qualifying experience. You should be able to work professionally and calmly under pressure and in complex situations with children, young people and families in difficulty.

    You will be required to offer support & mentorship to play & wider team members, so excellent communication skills and building strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels are vital. Experience in a teaching/mentorship capacity would be valuable.

    Staffing allocation within the play service is flexible due to the needs of the service and therefore changes may occur to department allocation to account for service needs & staff progression. If you would like to find out more about the post please make contact.

    Main duties of the job

    Use specialised therapeutic play & activity as a tool to support children/young people.

    Assess patient's individual play needs as part of MDT care planning.

    To use play as an assessment tool to assist with diagnosis & treatment.

    Working professionally and calmly under pressure to support children, young people and families in difficult situations.

    To work independently and as part of the wider team to support the needs of children & youngsters & provide advocacy

    To engage easily with children/ young people, carers & staff. Including those with additional needs & communication needs..

    Prioritise workload across busy departments

    To supervise, support and mentor junior staff, students and volunteers.

    To assist with the service planning and delivery of the play service

    Support the therapeutic entertainment programme & liaise with charity partners.

    Support teaching, education and additional management tasks.

    About us

    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.

    Job description

    Job 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

    Essential

  • Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent Or Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
  • Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
  • Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up to date professional portfolio)
  • Desirable

  • Additional training relevant to role
  • Membership of Professional Body (NAHPS or CLC)
  • EXPERIENCE

    Essential

  • Proven post qualifying experience including individual and group work with children from a diversity of backgrounds
  • Varied & diverse clinical experience with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and community
  • Experience with children with additional needs - including children with challenging behaviour, disabilities and sick children within specialist areas.
  • Experience with family-centred work
  • Experience of audit procedures
  • Desirable

  • Experience of formal teaching & concerning the area of play in hospital
  • Experience of formal mentorship
  • Experience with adolescents
  • Experience with young people with mental health difficulties.