Radiotherapy / Proton Beam Therapy Health Play Specialist

A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Health Play Specialist to join our experienced and forward-thinking team of Health Play Specialists. The post holder will work with paediatric and teenage and young adult (TYA) patients across both the radiotherapy (RT) and Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) departments supporting patients and their families attending for planning and treatment. They will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in reducing the anxiety associated with RT/PBT treatments., The post holder will undertake the core aspects of the Health Play Specialist role, from building trusting relationships, to preparing for each stage of the RT/PBT pathway. Daily activities will include supporting and distracting during invasive procedures using a range of therapeutic techniques, as well as normalising and recreational play. Other duties involve documentation and attendance at MDT and clinics. There are also opportunities for supporting and mentoring students, teaching and presentations, and developing the role across both departments. They will also benefit from being part of a wider play team supporting other paediatric/ TYA services here at UCLH.

Applicants are required to have experience of working with paediatric and TYAs in a healthcare setting and to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. They will need to be able to engage easily with the patient and to be able to work effectively alongside MDT colleagues to enhance the hospital experience. The postholder will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is highly valued as an integral part of the treatment pathway for children and young people.

UCLH is the largest provider of paediatric and TYA radiotherapy services in the UK, treating approximately 300 patients per year. The RT department delivers radiotherapy services for a broad spectrum of cancers comprising of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including brachytherapy, molecular radiotherapy and total body irradiation. The PBT department focus's predominantly on head and neck, neurological and sarcoma treatment sites and is one of only two NHS PBT centres in the UK. We are seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence., University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research. We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing), We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.