We are looking for a senior HPS who would like an opportunity of working in a supportive and diverse team within the children and young people division. This post will be supporting children and young people attending a range of departments at UCLH, working in varied specialties. UCLH strive to be a flexible working Trust and encourage applications from people seeking flexible working options.

This post is an exciting and fantastic opportunity for you to expand your knowledge, skills and experience as a professional working with children and young people within a leading, award-winning play team who support children and young people from 0 to 25 years. A team which is led by a supportive leadership team who are members of the governing bodies of play, striving to embed high quality specialised play practices on a national level. This post will help shape the delivery of services to children and young people within health and is an opportunity to expand your knowledge, skills and experience of working within a range of specialities.

This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly. Further information can be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425.

Main duties of the job

You will need to have extensive, relevant experience of working with children and 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 children and young people and be able to work effectively with your MDT colleagues to use therapeutic techniques creatively to enhance the children and young person's hospital experience.

You will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is 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 have responsibility to support and supervise junior members of staff and mentor students. This role will give the post holder the opportunity to develop leadership skills in organising staff rotas, assessing service needs and referrals.

The post holder will work alongside a team of play and recreation workers, play specialists and youth support co-ordinators who will support you in your role and the leadership team who will actively support your professional development.

The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours with shifts between 7:30am - 6pm to support service needs. Our service provides weekend and bank holiday cover which may be required at times for this post.

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 ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital 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.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

The Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex /BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB, or international equivalent, is required for this post along with current registration with HPSET.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

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

University College London Hospital

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

309-UCLH-4939