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Job summary

Main area
Paediatric
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 0.4 hours per week
Job ref
418-NUR2497-MR
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Riverbank ward
Town
Bedford
Salary
Dependent on qualification
Closing
29/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Nursery Nurse/ Play specialist

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Healthcare Play Specialist or Nursery Nurse to join our paediatric team at Bedford Hospital.

 This role will be based within the Paediatric Unit, which comprises of Riverbank ward, Children’s Assessment Unit, Paediatric Outpatients and Phlebotomy. You will be required to work across all areas, and may occasionally be required to support in A and E.

Main duties of the job

The work that you will be doing will be supported by a combination of evidence based practice  and theoretical knowledge which will enable you to plan, implement, review and evaluate therapeutic play programmes that support children and young people emotionally and developmentally.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Ward Managers to find out more about the role.

Person specification

Application form

Essential criteria
  • Working with young people
Desirable criteria
  • Working with CAMHS / Eating Disorders

IApplication

Essential criteria
  • Qualification Nursery Nurse or Play Specialist
  • Experience of working in a hospital setting
Desirable criteria
  • Working with SEND children
  • Working in a team

Application form and interview

Essential criteria
  • Working with young people
  • How many years experience
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of CAMHS

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerEmployer with HeartNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Julie Sharpe
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07702860912
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