The position offers opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a vibrant work environment renowned for its commitment to staff well-being and innovative practices. The Health Play Specialist will be responsible for creating age-appropriate play environments, assessing and implementing therapeutic interventions, and working collaboratively with various departments to ensure high-quality care. UCLH is recognized as a top NHS trust, emphasizing its dedication to building a culture of excellence in patient care and staff support.
A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Health Play Specialist to join our experienced and forward-thinking team of Health Play Specialists. The post holder will work with paediatric and teenage and young adult (TYA) patients across both the radiotherapy (RT) and Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) departments supporting patients and their families attending for planning and treatment. They will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in reducing the anxiety associated with RT/PBT treatments.
UCLH is the largest provider of paediatric and TYA radiotherapy services in the UK, treating approximately 300 patients per year. The RT department delivers radiotherapy services for a broad spectrum of cancers comprising of common cancers as well as specialist treatments including brachytherapy, molecular radiotherapy and total body irradiation. The PBT department focus's predominantly on head and neck, neurological and sarcoma treatment sites and is one of only two NHS PBT centres in the UK.
We are seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence.
The post holder will undertake the core aspects of the Health Play Specialist role, from building trusting relationships, to preparing for each stage of the RT/PBT pathway. Daily activities will include supporting and distracting during invasive procedures using a range of therapeutic techniques, as well as normalising and recreational play. Other duties involve documentation and attendance at MDT and clinics. There are also opportunities for supporting and mentoring students, teaching and presentations, and developing the role across both departments. They will also benefit from being part of a wider play team supporting other paediatric/ TYA services here at UCLH.
Applicants are required to have experience of working with paediatric and TYAs in a healthcare setting and to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. They will need to be able to engage easily with the patient and to be able to work effectively alongside MDT colleagues to enhance the hospital experience. The postholder will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is highly valued as an integral part of the treatment pathway for children and young people.
For more information about the departments please see our websites: www.jobsincare.com/job/jbnsuie5
About us
At UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) our success starts with you.
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation.
Based in the busy West End of London, we have a lively and vibrant working atmosphere, with quick and easy transport links to all our sites. Our size and resources enable us to offer a range of attractive benefits as well as unparalleled education and development opportunities for staff at all levels. This includes an extensive portfolio of academic and clinical courses and programmes ranging from ongoing personal development through to clinical excellence and leadership skills. UCLH prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.
UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence and the ability to lead in their area of expertise.
The post holder will play a key role in managing paediatric and TYA patients with complex needs who are undergoing a course of RT/PBT. It will be necessary to use evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play and recreational interventions. They will play a role in generating new solutions to identify and best meet the needs of patients and their families and manage projects under the supervision of the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Co-ordinators. In addition, the post holder will monitor the play environments to ensure that these are age-appropriate areas where play and recreation occurs naturally. The post holder will play a role in improving the safety and quality of the services for children, contributing to safeguarding and identifying improvements. They will work closely with the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Co-ordinators in the overall pathway management of Paediatric and TYA patients within the service and for meeting national and local targets. They will work as part of the Radiotherapy Play Team as well as working independently to meet the needs of the patients and their families. The post holder will liaise closely with GOSH, in Day Care, with the UCLH paediatric cancer wards and external referring hospitals.
For the full Person Specification and more informationregarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
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