Job overview

Play Specialist- Band 4

Full/part time - Permanent

Children and Young People – Apprentice Emergency Department Healthcare Play Specialist

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Children and Young Peoples Emergency Department at Tameside Hospital.

The Children and Young Peoples (C&YP ED)  is excited to announce the introduction of an Apprentice Play Specialist Healthcare worker. This is a new and exciting addition to our newly developed C&YP ED. The department has a dedicated Resuscitation room , CAMHS (Child and Mental Health support) Room, dedicated isolation cubicles and waiting area.

The department has dedicated Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Practice Based Educators to support in this role.

As this is an apprenticeship position, this role is supported by an accompanying knowledge and skills development programme during which the post holder will gain the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours for this role. Learning will be delivered mostly in the workplace through formal on and off the job training; allowing for the opportunity to practise new skills within a real working environment.

 However some travel may be required to attend face to face learning in Leeds with Luminate Education Group.  On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the individual will have the right knowledge, skills behaviours they need for their chosen role.

Main duties of the job

To undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programs for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.

The successful candidate will work closely with children/young people and their families and strive to make the hospital journey as pleasant as possible. The post holder must be able to provide Play Service input and support, specialised and therapeutic, normalising/developmental and sensory play and deliver preparation and distraction for our children and young people.

This opportunity includes:

• Paid employment with holiday entitlement
• Hands on experience in a work based environment
• Six off-the-job training hours per week to complete the apprenticeship learning (although elements of this can be delivered flexibly if needed)
• Support to gain a nationally recognised accredited qualification

You must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and have the ability to support others. It is essential that you can prioritise and manage your own workload whilst supporting your colleagues and the multi-disciplinary team. Excellent knowledge of child development is essential, as is experience of working with a wide range of ages.  You will also be committed to the completion of the level 5 Health Play Specialist Apprenticeship and undertake the necessary study involved.

Working for our organisation

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners. 

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate: 

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence 

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population. 

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ & Disabled people. 

Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.