Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.
Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.
We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to welcome a Hospital Play Specialist to join our team on the Children's Burns Ward.
In line with the National Burns Care Standards we strive to provide an excellent service, putting children and their families at the forefront of our care. Our Play Specialists are integral to supporting individual patient journeys and promoting the voice of the child during their time within the department.
To support our services, we are looking for a friendly and approachable Play Specialist who is flexible, proactive, motivated, and able to demonstrate excelled communication skills. You will be expected to work collaboratively and support other members of the children's nursing and medical teams and other disciplines to facilitate a seamless and high-quality service for the child and family.
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To manage and maintain a child focused environment where play occurs naturally and help to bridge the gap between hospital and home.
Provide interesting and stimulating play programmes and appropriate distraction activities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional traumas for the child and family.
Working for our organisation
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Use therapeutic play to help children and young people understand and cope with their burn injury, the treatment they are receiving and the hospital environment.
* Work alongside nursing team to prepare children for medical procedures and surgery through role playing and distractions, to help reduce anxiety
* Design and lead play activities to help children express feelings, understand their injury and cope with the emotional impact of it
* Create child friendly atmosphere on the ward
* Working alongside physiotherapist and occupational therapists to provide play opportunities to prevent delays or regression in normal development and motor function
* Observing children and sharing concerns about neglect or other safeguarding issues with relevant team members and authorities
* Advise parents and carers on activities they can do with their children whilst in hospital and at home in their extended recovery
* Work alongside psychotherapy and other members of the team to support children returning to nursery and school
* Maintain patient records, following confidentiality and information governance policies
Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.
Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.