Job overview

Do you have a passion for working children of all ages? If so, we are looking for you to to join our wonderful, fun and supportive team providing invaluable play experiences to children at difficult times during hospital admissions or visits.

The successful candidate will be a valuable member of the dynamic play team providing inclusive play within the Children's Services. Your role will be to work within the structure of the play department referring to health play specialists as required for support and guidance. This can be a challenging role with emotive moments but is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact play can have on children and their families/carers.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and develop professionally!

We are a friendly and supportive team, committed to the Organisation's Kindness Collaborative, which underpins our compassionate approach to care. Our beautifully designed, bright, and spacious unit includes Paediatric Inpatients, Critical Care, Surgery, and a Paediatric Observation and Assessment area. We also feature a large playroom, outdoor play area, sensory room, and facilities that allow young people to spend time away from their bedspace.

Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria required to qualify for sponsorship

Main duties of the job

The role of the successful candidate will include having the ability to work effectively under pressure caring for sick children and their families. You will also be required to promote/support the role of the play specialist within the clinical environment.

You will be assigned to a specific area but will be required to support other areas driven by clinical demand. You will be required to establish good communication with parents/carers and siblings encouraging them to participate in play sessions and will need to be physically fit and active, open to further training and professional development, and must be self motivated, be able to work in a team but also able to work independently.

You will have the ability to work effectively within an ever changing environment and be able to provide support during different circumstances. Day to day you will be required to provide, organise, initiate and supervise play activities for all children appropriate to their age, medical condition and background; this will be within the play room or at the bedside as appropriate.

Working for our organisation

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester.  Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire – to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.