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Job description

We are looking for a dedicated and forward-thinking Play Facilitator to join our Acute Paediatric Team based at Walsall Manor Hospital. The applicant will have a childcare qualificationwith experience of working with children and young people in a Clinical Environment.

The purpose of this role is to create a positive, welcoming environment for children of all ages by identifying the child’s emotional and developmental needs. The Play Facilitator will arrange play interventions on the ward and throughout the Trust as required. This will include distraction and preparation techniques for healthcare interventions.

It is a really exciting time to join our Paediatric Team as we redesign and create a brand new play room for the patients on the ward. The Play Facilitator post holder will be crucial in helping develop the team. The Paediatric Department is made up of Ward 21, a 21 bedded inpatient unit, a theatre day case unit, Paediatric Assessment Unit and our community and Virtual Ward teams. As a Member of the Play team your role will be vital in all areas of the Paediatric Unit.

If you share our values and can demonstrate you are a highly motivated team player, we would welcome your application.

• The post holder will be a qualified childcare professional with knowledge and experience of play and recreation with the well child.
• The post holder will be responsible for providing play opportunities and activities, providing normal play and distraction therapy for children of all ages, working independently whilst liaising closely with the senior members of the play team.
• The post holder will assist in creating a positive, welcoming environment for children of all ages and adapt the way they work to the age they are working with. They will identify the child’s emotional and developmental needs and develop play plan interventions that will be beneficial during the child’s care pathway.
• The post holder will assist in promoting the benefits of play throughout the Trust.
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity whilst also prioritising their own workload effectively and portraying a professional image at all times.

The post holder will be working independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional actions.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 286,700, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. Work is also well underway on its multi-million pound new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre which will house a new Emergency Department (including Children’s Emergency Department), co-located Paediatric Assessment Unit, Acute Medical Unit and Urgent Care Centre. This is scheduled for completion this year.

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a BME background and people with a disability as these groups are currently under-represented at senior level. We value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

We support flexible working for all employees and prospective applicants.

Any settled workers meeting the requirements must be offered the position in preference to any non-resident candidates meeting the requirements, unless the role falls under a PhD-level code, in which case sponsorship may be attained.

• The post holder will be a qualified childcare professional with knowledge and experience of play and recreation with the well child.
• The post holder will be responsible for providing play opportunities and activities, providing normal play and distraction therapy for children of all ages, working independently whilst liaising closely with the senior members of the play team.
• The post holder will assist in creating a positive, welcoming environment for children of all ages and adapt the way they work to the age they are working with. They will identify the child’s emotional and developmental needs and develop play plan interventions that will be beneficial during the child’s care pathway.
• The post holder will assist in promoting the benefits of play throughout the Trust.
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity whilst also prioritising their own workload effectively and portraying a professional image at all times.
• The post holder will be working independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional actions.

Organisation Chart:
Matron

Senior Sister

Senior Hospital Play Specialist / Hospital Play Specialist

Play Facilitator

Key Result Areas:
Clinical/Therapeutic

• To devise play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs as part of the overall plan of care.
• To plan and implement individual play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
• To use a range of hospital play therapies, tools and equipment in preparation for hospital procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play under the indirect supervision of the senior play team.
• To support all children and especially young people in crisis, those with mental health problems, eating disorders to engage with short term play therapy / distraction therapy whilst in the acute hospital under the indirect supervision of the senior play team.
• To lead group play activities as directed by the senior play team for children and young children.
• To provide support to families under stress and in crisis.
• To establish effective communication, both verbal and written with all members of the multidisciplinary team, parents/carers and the child themselves.
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
• To liaise and support a variety of non-hospital professionals including visiting teachers and other visiting agencies.
• To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of the child.
• To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Trust standards.
• To encourage and extend play activities in other areas of the hospital and offer advice relating to play and play facilities / resources.
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to their needs.
• To assist in lifting children with more complex needs, either using hoists or in accordance with manual handling techniques. To regularly be able to assist with moving and transporting equipment and toys.

Education/Service Development

• To be involved in the education of families in relation to play.
• To participate in the planning, evaluation, and audit of practice of care pathways and protocols.
• To participate in the delivery of the play service development plan.

Personnel/Professional

• To apply theoretical knowledge and understanding to professional practice.
• Refer any complaints from patients, visitors or staff to the ward manager.
• To ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times, including the storage of records and the transfer of verbal and written information.
• Promote good relationships and communications within all work areas.
• Report any untoward incidents to the nurse in charge and complete the appropriate documentation.
• To select, monitor and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group.
• To be responsible for maintaining play equipment, in accordance with Trust health and safety requirements and to identify areas where extra resources and equipment are required.