Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 434-SCS7882981
- Employer
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Stoke Mandeville Hospital
- Town
- Aylesbury
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 07/05/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Health Play Specialist
Band 5
Be part of our BHT family
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated provider of acute hospital and community services for people living in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area.
We care for over half a million patients every year:
- Provide specialist spinal services at our world renowned National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympics
- Nationally recognised for urology and skin cancer services
- Regional specialist centre for burns, plastic surgery, dermatology, stroke and cardiac services
- Deliver community services in health centres, schools, patients’ own homes, community hospitals and community hubs.
More than 6,500 people from different nations, cultures and backgrounds work for us.
We would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options. We strive to be a family friendly, inclusive employer.
If you require any assistance in making this application, please contact [email protected] or phone 01494 734868.
We pride ourselves in being a great place to work and invite you to join our BHT family.
Job overview
As the play specialist, you will help to provide high quality, holistic play service for all children, young people and their families within the Children's Emergency Department and Observation area, enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment. Use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with children and young people whilst attending hospital which in turn will create a positive environment and patient journey. You will provide interesting and stimulating play for children, young people and their families and highlight the importance of play in assisting an atraumatic experience and aiding distraction to all health professionals and students. You will use your knowledge of child development; plan, initiate and supervise play activities for children in hospital, appropriate to their age, development, medical condition and background, in order to meet their social, emotional and developmental play needs.
Main duties of the job
If you are interested in striving to deliver excellence in paediatric care and working in a friendly and welcoming team please do contact us. We welcome a fun, enthusiastic & dedicated Healthcare Play Specialist to join our team.
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To manage and be responsible for the assessment, implementation and the evaluation of play strategies which encompass the developmental and emotional needs of the children and their families and or carers within the hospital environment.
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To apply a high level of understanding of the psychological effects of hospitalisation and long-term chronic illness, providing training and advice to members of the multi-disciplinary team
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To carry out play activities on a one-to-one basis with a child and/or a group of children and their families and or carers
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To observe for the signs of anxiety in children at all times, and if necessary, report to paediatric nursing team.
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To create an attractive child orientated environment that encourages play, and helps parents/carers and members of staff to participate in these activities
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To be responsible for ensuring that a whole range of toys and equipment is available for clinic use, being age appropriate whilst also maintaining safety and hygiene standards.
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To have a working knowledge and be able to carry out diversionary techniques as is appropriate for the child and procedure
Working for our organisation
Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact [email protected] (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- B.T.E.C. Hospital Play Specialist Diploma or equivalent.
- Child Protection training
- Other relevant child care training
Desirable criteria
- Additional training relevant to role
- Membership of Professional Body (NAPHPS or CLC)
Special Circumstances
Essential criteria
- Able to work shift patterns which support the provision of a full play service
Experience
Essential criteria
- Minimum of two years recent and relevant experience working with children or young people.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Sound knowledge of child protection responsibilities and procedures.
- Sound knowledge of health & safety issues in relation to maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Sound knowledge of play and distraction techniques appropriate to children in hospital
- Sound knowledge of children’s development and needs
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with all members of multi-disciplinary team and children of all ages and their families in English.
- Ability to function effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with all members of multi-disciplinary team and children of all ages and their families in English.
- Ability to function effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to write legible, accurate and concise reports in English.
- Ability to supervise students.
- Ability to teach others
- Organised, punctual, self- motivated and positive approach to work.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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
- Jo Leverton
- Job title
- Sister-Children's Emergency and Observation Dept
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01296 315216
- Additional information
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