Hospital Play Specialist

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Play Team to cover a 1 year fixed term post. We are looking for a highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist who is committed to providing high quality care to Children and Young People that attend The Royal Berkshire Hospital. The post holder will work closely with the MDT to support children, young people and their families and implement specialised play interventions throughout the whole Paediatric unit. This includes both inpatients and outpatients including our new play led Pre-operative preparation project., You will also take an active role in supporting and mentoring other members of the hospital play team., The post holder is responsible for providing therapeutic playinterventions to help alleviate patients anxieties and fear,helping to increase their co-operation during their time inhospital. They work to improve patients emotional andpsychological well-being while hospitalised and to provide awelcoming, safe and secure environment for paediatric andyoung people patients. They are responsible for increasing theawareness, understanding and knowledge of the play teamswork and how the services help patients during their hospitaljourneys. Job description, The post holder is responsible for providing therapeutic playinterventions to help alleviate patients anxieties and fear,helping to increase their co-operation during their time inhospital. They work to improve patients emotional andpsychological well-being while hospitalised and to provide awelcoming, safe and secure environment for paediatric andyoung people patients. They are responsible for increasing theawareness, understanding and knowledge of the play teamswork and how the services help patients during their hospitaljourneys.

The successful applicant must be passionate and committed to meeting the needs of children, young people and their families and work flexibly within a team., 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 throughout the department. Responsibilities will include supporting children and young people who are admitted, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age appropriate welcoming environment throughout the area and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively.,

• Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
• Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
• Knowledge of the NAHPS professional code of conduct and its application in practice.
Desirable
• NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
• Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
• Knowledge of current best practice in clinical/age area.
Experience Essential
• Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.
• Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
• Experience of effective working as a team member within the MDT.
Desirable
• Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
• Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
• Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
• Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
• Knowledge of the NAHPS professional code of conduct and its application in practice.
Desirable
• NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
• Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
• Knowledge of current best practice in clinical/age area.
Experience Essential
• Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.
• Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
• Experience of effective working as a team member within the MDT.
Desirable
• Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
• Experience of formal and informal teaching.
  
  The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is the main provider of hospital services for the population of Reading, Newbury, Wokingham and the towns and villages of west Berkshire.
At our heart we are a local hospital that works with NHS and social care partners to provide excellent healthcare services for over 500,000 people who currently live in our catchment area. We also provide specialist hospital services beyond the county's borders. We employ more than 5,500 staff from 39 different nationalities and deliver care from a network of facilities across sites in Bracknell, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Thatcham and Windsor. Each year we are responsible for efficiently and effectively spending more than £400m of NHS resources on the services we provide. As a founder member of the Berkshire West Integrated Care System, we are one of NHS England's demonstrator sites for integration between primary, community, mental health and acute healthcare services.