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Health Play Specialist

On-site in London·Full-time·Added today (last checked 15 Oct)

Great Ormond Street Hospital

21 open roles

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Overview

Salary: £34,186 - £37,389 a year
About £2,340 - £2,540 a month after tax.
Contract: Fixed-term contract, full-time hours
Closing date: Apply by Sunday 18 October

The role

Job overview

We work closely with all referring specialities, however the BMT patients remain under the care of the BMT service until there are no acute BMT related problems, this period can be between 6 months or a number of years.

Additional support: An area identified as requiring play therapy support is in the sibling donor clinic. The pathway for sibling donors has a clear clinical and ethical framework in line with the Human Tissue Act (2004).

A key aspect of the sibling donor clinic is to support the child and ensure they are adequately prepared. A priority of the donor care pathway is to prevent psychological harm. We currently don't have any play specialist available to input with this clinic and it has been identified that it would be beneficial for play therapy support to be extended to sibling donors.

This would be a new service. We would plan to evaluate the service with patient and carer surveys.

Additionally, we would envisage that we could develop the following areas with increased play staffing:

Availability for support if acute patient needs arises - including support with other allied health professionals.

Support with palliative care discussions.

Bereavement support - this also links with sibling donor care and follow up.

Main duties of the job

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 plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women's Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

Person specification

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria

• FdA Health Care Play Specialism. Previous equivalent qualification (HPSC/HPSEB) or Child Life Specialist
• Registered Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS) or Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
• Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE' or beyond, including English and Maths

Desirable criteria

• NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA)

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Theoretical knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
• Knowledge of current best practice
• Knowledge of the value of play for sick children
• Knowledge of effects of hospitalization on children, young people and their families
• Basic knowledge of health legislation and SoHPS guidelines for professional practice
• Knowledge of confidentiality

Desirable criteria

• Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
• Knowledge of professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work with and provide creative activities to individual and groups of children/adolescents
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Good organisation skills
• A full understanding and ability to plan and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play
• Ability to reflect and adhere to profession boundaries of the role, referring on to line manager where necessary
• Ability to be flexible, exchange and learn new ideas as part of your team
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Health, safety, and risk awareness
• Documentation skills

Desirable criteria

• Presentation Skills
• IT Skills

Our Always values

Essential criteria

• Our Always values

Additional employer information

Please be advised that:

The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two stage recruitment process whereby shortlisted candidates will undertake an online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may on occasion be used to determine the final shortlist.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer.

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.