Health Play Specialist/ Nursery Nurse

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Health Play Specialist/Nursery Nurse to join our team on the Paediatric haemopoietic stem cell transplant unit within the Great North Children’s Hospital.

Our ward is a 10‑bed Specialist unit at the internationally renowned bone marrow transplant unit at the Great North Children’s Hospital, caring for children from birth to 19 years with a wide range of immunological and haematology oncology diseases where haematopoietic stem cell (blood and marrow) transplants are the best and most successful forms of treatment.

These diseases are life‑threatening, and we are proud to be one of only two centres in the UK specialising in this field of transplantation (the other being Great Ormond Street). Patients come from all over the world; our catchment area within the UK covers everywhere north of Birmingham, Scotland, Wales and all of Ireland, which means our team develops excellent communication skills with patients from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

We are looking to employ a Health Play Specialist or Nursery Nurse who is willing to progress to a Health Play Specialist.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main Duties

Support patients from assessment and diagnosis through treatment and post‑transplant both on the in‑patient ward and the day unit.

• Give support, teaching and guidance to parents/carers on ward 3, especially during stressful situations.
• Encourage parents/carers to actively participate in caring for and playing with their child whilst in hospital.
• Support children and young people, ensuring their needs are met through play or other diversional therapy.
• Supervise and ensure infants/children’s basic needs are met.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to support babies and children from admission to discharge.

Health Play Specialist Responsibilities

• Offer normalising and specialised play for children and young people with complex healthcare needs and their families, considering age, developmental stage, medical condition and background to promote emotional health and optimal development.
• Use play to help alleviate anxieties, pain or emotional trauma caused by hospitalisation, ill health and treatments.
• Inform, educate, support and advise other healthcare specialists, nursing staff and families in the role of play.
• Be a fully integrated member of the department team.
• Contribute to the maintenance, consistency and development of the play service throughout the Trust.
• Receive requests from relevant healthcare professionals for a patient to be seen after referral.
• Escort children and young people to theatre (where appropriate) in line with Trust policy to aid understanding and coping mechanisms.

Nursery Nurse Responsibilities

• Assist in therapeutic assessments and carry out play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of play using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes.

Person Specification – Health Play Specialist

Essential

• Health Play Specialist (HPS) qualification at Diploma level, recognised by the Health Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)
• Registered with HPSET
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and on own initiative within scope of practice, with effective time management
• Good communication, interpersonal, organisational and basic IT skills

Desirable

• Previous experience coordinating and providing a play service in a healthcare setting
• Experience working with children and young people with complex health needs and disabilities
• Advanced IT skills
• Able to mentor HPS students and provide support to junior staff

Person Specification – Nursery Nurse

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (e.g. NNEB BTEC Nursery Nurse qualification)
• Ability to work effectively under direction or as part of a team and independently
• Good interpersonal, communication and organisational skills

Desirable

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Previous work in a health‑care setting
• Experience of caring in a personal or professional setting
• Able to manage time
• Basic IT skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP

Employer website: https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us