An exciting opportunity has arisen at UCLH for a Youth Support Coordinator to join a highly respected play and youth services team. To be successful in this role, you will have a relevant qualification in youth work, play specialism, psychology, teaching or relevant health or social care qualification and you will have extensive experience of working with young people.

Do you want to join a large London Trust where you will work with a range of health care professionals? Are you someone who thrives on making a difference to a young person's hospital experience and wants to develop your career working with the 13-19 age group? If yes, then come and join us!

The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service including some evening and weekend working.

A diploma or equivalent in relevant subject such as youth work, psychology, social sciences or play specialism

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an exceptional individual who must enjoy working with young people, be emotionally resilient and have compassion, sensitivity and a sense of humour. The successful candidate will work within the busy young people service based within the young people's unit. To support patients attending UCLH, you will be vital in reducing the anxiety surrounding hospital treatment and procedures. You will be proactive in creating and maintaining an age-appropriate environment throughout the young people's area and facilitate group activities and individual therapeutic sessions with patients.

To have experience of working with young people in a healthcare setting and be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. You will need to be able to engage easily with young people and be able to work effectively with your MDT colleagues to enhance the young person's hospital experience. You will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation are valued and respected as an integrated part of young people's treatment and your contribution to the patient's pathway will be highly respected.

The post holder will be responsible for providing both individually tailored and group support both on and off the unit. Working in partnership with other YSC colleagues they will both lead and contribute to a wide range of appropriate recreational activities, to enable and encourage patients to socialise and remain active as young people throughout their hospital journey.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National Throat,Nose and Ear Hospital
• Eastman Dental Hospital
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospitals at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full and detailed description of the role, all applicants are advised to read the attached Job Description.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

• Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to analyse professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
• Applied knowledge of recent health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for professional Practice.

Desirable

• NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
• Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.

Experience

Essential

• Post qualifying and recent, comprehensive experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field.
• Experience of providing family centred care and working with the extended family.
• Comprehensive experience of leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
• Previous experience of applying presentation skills through formal and/or informal teaching of students and staff.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
• Experience of supporting, teaching, training, assessing and supervising junior staff, students and/or volunteers.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to communicate complex information effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and nonverbal forms.
• Ability to work independently, manage own workload and determine priorities under pressure.
• Ability to work as an individual as well as within a team, effectively and efficiently.

Desirable

• Basic competency using Word and Excel

Other Requirements

Essential

• Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
• Up to date registration with HPSET.
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Membership of NAHPS Professional Body

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

UCLH

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

309-UCLH-2613-A