Overview
As the play specialist, you will provide high quality, holistic play services for children, young people and their families within the Children's Emergency Department and Observation area, helping them feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment. Use play as a tool to communicate, build rapport and support a positive patient journey, highlighting the importance of play in delivering an atraumatic experience and aiding distraction for health professionals and students. Plan, initiate and supervise play activities appropriate to each child’s age, development, medical condition and background to meet social, emotional and developmental play needs.
Responsibilities
* Manage and be responsible for the assessment, implementation and evaluation of play strategies that encompass the developmental and emotional needs of children and their families within the hospital environment.
* 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 multidisciplinary team.
* Carry out play activities on a one-to-one basis with a child and/or a group of children and their families and carers.
* Observe for signs of anxiety in children at all times and report to the paediatric nursing team if necessary.
* Create an attractive child-oriented environment that encourages play and helps parents/carers and staff participate in activities.
* Be responsible for ensuring a wide range of toys and equipment is available for clinic use, age-appropriate while maintaining safety and hygiene standards.
* Have a working knowledge and ability to carry out diversionary techniques as appropriate for the child and procedure.
Qualifications and skills
* Knowledge of child development with the ability to plan, initiate and supervise developmentally appropriate play activities.
* Ability to apply understanding of the psychological effects of hospitalisation and to work with a multidisciplinary team.
* Experience in observing and responding to signs of anxiety in children and supporting their emotional and social needs.
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