Senior Healthcare Play Specialist

An exciting opportunity has arisen here at HCT, we are looking for a qualified, experienced and registered Senior Healthcare Play Specialist to lead and develop the play service within the Children's Specialist Nursing Service. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual to promote play and provide some therapeutic input to children, young people and their families for examinations, procedures and/or interventions in both HCT facilities and patient homes. Taking the lead for the development of the Health Play Specialist service model within HCT in line with Trust vision and values., Using expert knowledge and evidence-based practice, to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the specialist play interventions provided to the caseload, considering the child or young person's (CYP) emotional and developmental needs, the potential needs of families and the impact that healthcare interventions have on these CYP., To plan and implement personalised, therapeutic play programmes, to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play considering the developmental needs and healthcare experiences of CYP.

• To work with the multi-disciplinary team to prepare CYP for specific procedures and to familiarise them with the environment where required.
• To support CYP using distraction therapy before, during and following painful or unpleasant treatment.
• To provide support and help CYP to master and cope with anxieties and feelings, signposting to relevant support services if concerns are raised.
• To be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• To provide highly specialised advice concerning the care or treatment of children who are receiving play therapy and advocate for them where appropriate.
• To contribute to multi-disciplinary team's clinical judgments and assessments through play-based observations.
• To communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the multidisciplinary team regarding the child/young person and their care.
• To teach the value of play for normal development and the significance of play in healthcare to other healthcare professionals, including students.
• To mentor health play specialist students, providing support in helping them to achieve core-competencies and placement learning objectives.
• To encourage patients and families to participate in appropriate play activities, inform, educate, support, and advise families on the role of play.
• To be responsible for maintaining play equipment with regard to safety and cross infection. To be able to practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner and be mindful of limited resources available to the service, working closely with partners to secure funding opportunities.
• To take the lead in setting aims and objectives of the play service, implementing policies and practices within the field of play.
• To line manage and be responsible for appraisals and development of the play team across HCT.
• Takes personal responsibility for own professional growth and keep up to date with professional development.
• To comply with the NAHPS code of professional conduct for health play specialists and demonstrate an understanding of NAHPS guidelines for professional practice.
• Will compile a personal & professional portfolio in line with HPSET recommendations for re-registration.
• Ensure up to date Trust and play service records and activity data are maintained and stored appropriately in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
• Will act in accordance with Local and Statutory guidelines & policies including Health and Safety initiatives. Acts as a professional in ensuring a duty of care to the children and their families and other staff at all times.
• Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors, and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security, and risk.
  
  The post holder will be working independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional actions with results and outcomes being assessed at regular intervals.
  
  A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages