Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatric assistant play specialist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 388-7483965-FC&I
- Employer
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Torbay Hospital
- Town
- Torquay
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Hospital Play Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Do you like working with children? Then look no more!
We are looking for someone who is committed to meeting the psychological and emotional needs of the child and family in the Hospital environment.
You will help create and promote an environment conducive to play, to assist with and enhance the treatment of children and young people cared for by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. On Louisa Cary Ward, Paediatric Day Surgery Unit, Short Stay Paediatric assessment unit and Paediatric Outpatient Department.
Main duties of the job
- To ensure family centred care is promoted on the ward and children and young people are treated with respect and dignity.
- To act with professionalism and integrity, being a role model to those around us and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity.
- To provide a service that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and to understand what our Children and Young people need and be adaptable and responsive.
- To provide a high-quality customer service which complies with relevant legislation and NHS Employment check standards.
- To be honest and learn from mistakes and help to create a “no-blame” culture were people feel able to share and learn from experiences together.
- To work as part of a team demonstrating effective communication and working collaboratively with colleagues inside and out of the department.
- Acknowledge that you need to continually deliver greater value to customers.
- Be honest about your biggest challenges and create a culture of curiosity and openness.
- Make a deliberate effort to connect with strangers from different walks of life and invite them to share their ideas.
- Be curious and creative about new possibilities, whilst identifying what works well and to do more of it.
- Help to develop and foster a learning environment where feedback is welcomed and valued.
- To care and support and build trust with the child and family in what can be a very stressful time for them.
Working for our organisation
Louisa Cary is an acute children’s ward at Torbay hospital which cares for children and young people 0 – 18yrs on our 19 bedded ward which consists of 2 HDU beds, 11 cubicles and a separate 6 bedded young people’s area. We also have a Short Stay Paediatric Assessment area (SSPAU) which is open Monday to Friday. Where family centred care is promoted.
The post will require close liaison with all areas where children are cared for within the trust, such as ED, day surgery, SCBU, children’s community team and outpatients. We are a very supportive team which encourages personal development which is supported by the practice educator on the ward.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, children, young people and families
- To be an advocate for the child raising the profile of play within the multidisciplinary team.
- To use play therapy to reduce stress and anxiety levels in the child/young person.
- To support the band 4 play Specialist to plan programmes of activities to meet the play needs of the child/young person.
- To support the preparation of Children who are undergoing procedures e.g., taking of bloods/particularly children who are needle phobic and preparation for surgery.
- To use play in the holistic approach to pain management
- To be responsible for the safety of the playroom and play materials on the ward.
- To provide appropriate play with regards to the child’s age and development
- To use distraction therapy for children undergoing procedures such as venepuncture and cannulation
- Support the band 4 Hospital play specialist in writing reports for assessments of children/young people.
- To be aware of all policies and procedures of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and ensure that they are adhered to at all times.
- To be aware of safeguarding children issues and seeks guidance from the Registered nurses.
- No direct responsibility for budget. Must be aware of the cost implications when using materials and resources.
- To seek out clinical/safeguarding supervision at least 4 times a year
- Basic IT skills which can be developed.
Person specification
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
- General Education
Desirable criteria
- Childcare Qualification
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Appropriate knowledge of working with children
- Communication skills
- Able to plan play activities for children and young people at different ages and developmental needs.
- An understanding of safeguarding children
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with children in a hospital setting
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Michelle Townsend
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01803655526
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