About this role
Job summary
At The Grand Appeal - Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, we believe every child deserves the very best care, comfort and support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. For over 30 years, The Grand Appeal has worked in partnership to support Bristol Children's Hospital and St Michael's Hospital transforming children's healthcare.
We are now looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and experienced Oncology Health Play Specialist to join our dedicated Play Team on a two-year fixed-term contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to support children and young people receiving cancer treatment on Starlight Ward at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC).
This post isemployed and funded by The Grand Appeal and is based within the Play Department at BRHC. The successful candidate will hold an honorary contract with Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and will receive day-to-day line management from the Senior Health Play Specialist.
Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide specialist therapeutic play interventions that help children and young people understand, prepare for and cope with hospital treatment and procedures. Through play, distraction techniques and emotional support, you will help reduce anxiety, promote resilience and improve each child's hospital experience.
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Main duties of the job Key Responsibilities
Deliver specialist therapeutic play interventions for children and young people receiving oncology care. Assess patients' developmental, emotional and psychosocial needs and develop individual play plans. Prepare children and young people for medical procedures using evidence-based therapeutic play techniques. Support patients during procedures through distraction therapies and emotional reassurance. Respond to referrals from the multidisciplinary team and work collaboratively to deliver holistic patient-centred care. Promote normal play opportunities that support children's emotional, social, developmental and creative needs during hospital admission. Work alongside the Health Playworker to prioritise patient care and ensure effective service delivery. Supervise students, volunteers, visitors and entertainers within the hospital environment. Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives. Uphold the values, policies and professional standards of both The Grand Appeal and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. .
About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.
Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:
Better outcomes for ourPatients More opportunities for our People Fairer more consistent care for ourPopulation Best Value for Public Purse Our vision for five years from now:
Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live. We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources. More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community. Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care. Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work. We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career. Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly. We will contribute to system financial balance
Job description Job responsibilities
For a more detailed list of the main responsibilities of the role, please see the attached job description, personal specification and duties. .
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent Current HPSET registration (or overseas equivalent) or be in the process of re-registering. You will be required to remain registered with HPSET (or overseas equivalent) whilst in post
Knowledge and skills Essential
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel and other in-house systems Promotes positive working relationships with all colleagues within the play team and wider multi-disciplinary team Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands Ability to work under own initiative and to motivate others
Desirable
Excellent time management skills
Experience Essential
Experience of working as a Health Play Specialist with children in a hospital setting 2 years' experience of working in a play/early years/education/youth work setting Excellent knowledge of child development Experience of assessing patients' needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play
Desirable
Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Play Department
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS3 8JB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)