HealthJobsUK

Job overview

In collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation, we are excited to be able to offer this fixed term Band 5 Play Specialist role to support Children and Young people (CYP) to cope with their medical condition and develop strategies to manage their associated medical regimen. The service is child needs led and you will offer clinical assessment and interventions within the local community and / or The Grange Hospital dependent on the CYP’s needs.

As a team, alongside the hospital-based Play Specialists, you will work with all children, young people, and their families with identified need, but with an emphasis on working with children who have developmental difficulties and / or Neurodevelopmental presentations or children who are having MRIs on a research project.  This may involve supporting the wider team and services to understand the importance of play for these children and young people.

In addition to being part of the Paediatric Psychology Service, you will also be part of the Starlight Children’s Foundation with access to regular supervision, training, and resources.

As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children’s Foundation there will an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as to support at external events.

If you would like to discuss the roles further, please contact Dr Anne Johnson, Lead Paediatric Psychologist, or Laura Walsh, Play Specialist, Head of The Starlight Foundation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will use their skills as a qualified and registered Health Play Specialist to oversee the planning, evaluation, and audit of clinical practice, always focusing on the reduction of anxiety and cumulative trauma in the healthcare journey. The role will be based in the community but work closely with their colleagues within the wider service to ensure that the service is child needs led and they are able to support the child or young person if clinically indicated with procedures within the local community and / or The Grange Hospital.

Children and young people will be identified through referral from a variety of sources for pre-assessment and support using therapeutic play techniques. There will be a particular emphasis placed on supporting children within the community setting who have developmental difficulties and / or Neurodevelopmental presentations. This may involve supporting the wider team and services to understand the importance of play for these children and young people.

As well as supporting children to understand their medical treatment and diagnosis, the Health Play Specialist may support with transition into and out of healthcare and into adult care. As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children’s Foundation there will an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as to support at external events.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.