Health Play Specialist

Health Play Specialist

Job description

Job overview

There is an exciting opportunity to join our Play Team at GOSH as a Health Play Specialist. We have a One Team ethos, and you will be required to support your fellow Play Team members across the hospital.

You will be required to share responsibility for the successful delivery of the agreed Play Service business plan and objectives through direct delivery, teaching and effective communication.

You will manage a caseload of patients, providing therapeutic play interventions, helping to alleviate patient’s anxieties and fear, increasing their co-operation during their time in hospital receiving specialised treatment / care promoting well-being and contribute towards a positive patient experience.







This post will be based within Radiology.

Main duties of the job

- To undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.
- To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
- To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes.

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role;

through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged.







All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and / or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently.

We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks.







Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion.

All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required.

For both documents please view the attachment / s below.

Person specification

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria

Our Always values

Academic / Professional qualification / Training







Essential criteria

- FdA Health Care Play Specialism. Previous equivalent qualification (HPSC / HPSEB) or Child Life Specialist
- Registered Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS) or Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE’ or beyond, including English and Maths
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (level 3) in Child Care / Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies(BA)

Experience / Knowledge

Essential criteria

- Theoretical knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
- Knowledge of current best practice
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children
- Knowledge of effects of hospitalisation on children, young people and their families






- Basic knowledge of health legislation and SoHPS guidelines for professional practice
- Knowledge of confidentiality

Desirable criteria

- Basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Skills / Abilities

Essential criteria

- Ability to work with and provide creative activities to individual and groups of children / adolescents
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Good organisation skills
- A full understanding and ability to plan and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play
- Ability to reflect and adhere to profession boundaries of the role, referring on to line manager where necessary
- Ability to be flexible,





exchange and learn new ideas as part of your team
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Health, safety, and risk awareness
- Documentation skills

Desirable criteria

- IT Skills
- Presentation Skills

▶️ Health Play Specialist
🖊️ Great Ormond Street Hospital
📍 London