Job summaryPaediatric Play AssistantDepartment: PaediatricsBand: 3 £22,816 - £24,336 per annum, pro rata if part timeHours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible workingWe are currently recruiting for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 3 paediatric play assistant, to join the Paediatric Play team based with Milton Keynes University HospitalThis is an exciting opportunity to work within an integrated children's service providing care to children and their families in the Acute, Neonatal and outpatient areas.The acute inpatient ward offers a wide range of experience, caring for children and young people with medical, surgical, orthopaedic and oncology conditions. In addition to the inpatient department, we have children receiving care on our paediatric assessment unit, paediatric day surgery unit, paediatric day care unit, Neonatal unit and in outpatients.We are looking to appoint a kind, well organised, motivated, and enthusiastic person to join our team. The post of play assistant requires a dynamic forward-thinking person, the role will involve delivering distraction during blood test, and other procedures, theatre preparation for children and their families and providing general play to children of all ages.We reserve the right to close posts early if we receive a sufficient volume of applications.Proposed interview date: between 1st and 12th July 2024.Main duties of the jobWe pride ourselves on our collaborative practice, we have a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, working closely together to provide high quality, patient and family centred care for all of our children.We are committed to ongoing staff development: with a unit based practice educator, we are able to offer a bespoke training and induction package to any successful candidate, focusing on meeting your specific needs.As well as preceptorship for newly appointed staff, we mentor both child branch student nurses, student midwives, and college students and provide learning opportunities for all.To meet the play and emotional needs of any babies, children, young people and their families attending the hospital and to participate in the creation of a safe, child friendly environment.You will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the play needs of the child in hospital, providing age appropriate explanations and discussion for the child and family, about the child's treatment.You will provide play activities to help children cope with any pain, anxiety or fear they might experience during their time in hospital. Play is also used to prepare children for treatment, distract them during a procedure, and help them understand what they have experienced.We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community and thank you for your interest in our Hospital.About usYou can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:Free on-site parkingFree tea and coffeeGreat flexible workingopportunitiesDiscounted gym membershipLease car schemeGenerous annual leave and pension schemeOn site nursery (chargeable)Extensive staff health and well-being programmeMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients.The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo create a child friendly environment in which play occurs naturally at all times.Encourage play to maintain the childs links with family and home and to help the child adjust to the hospital situation.To provide appropriate play for normal growth (social, physical, cognitive and emotional) to continue during hospitalisation.To observe the childs developmental and emotional level and report observations, whilst ensuring these are communicated these to the appropriate staff.Establish and maintain an open and sensitive communicative manner with children, families, relatives and multi- disciplinary team.Accord friendly, helpful and respectful attention to everyone.Report any complaints or untoward incidents to the nurse in charge of the shift.Responsible for the selection of play equipment, work with Senior Sisters to ensure resources meet demands.To participate in MDT training programmes.To create an awareness in all members of the multi-disciplinary team of the value of play and the emotional needs of the child in hospital.Please refer to the job description for further detailsMKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.Person SpecificationQualifications and knowledgeEssentialChild care qualification at level 3 or above.Key skills level 2 or equivalent in literacy and numberacy.DesirableEdexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or Hospital Play Staff Examination Board Certificate or Diploma in Specialised Play for Children and Young People or Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism (first and second year Health Play Specialism students will be seriously considered.Level 4ExperienceEssentialExperience of working with parents and extended families.To have worked as a team member, able to demonstrate skills in communication and team working.DesirableExperience of programmes of play.Experience of working with children with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.Documented evidence of Continuing Professional DevelopmentSkillsEssentialIT skillsAbility to organise play activities for both children and young people.Able to effectively communicate with all age groups, adjusting to specific situation, requirementsAble to demonstrate an ability to deal appropriately with emotional and physical demands of the role, including distressing situations such as palliative care, blood tests, safeguarding issues.Ability to work with individuals and groups of children and young people.DesirableAbility to apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play.Personal and people developmentEssentialExcellent understanding of a child's development.Aware of issues relating to safeguarding children.Demonstrates innovative and new ideas for play.Reliable and flexible in approach.Able to prioritise own workload and work using own initiative.Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.Ability to be creative.DesirableKnowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and long term illness on children, young people and their families.Understanding of the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct.Knowledge of medical conditions.CommunicationEssentialDemonstrates excellent communication skills both verbal and written with: oBabies oChildren oYoung people, colleagues families/parents/carersSpecific requirementsEssentialAble to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptationsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Employer detailsEmployer nameMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddressMilton Keynes University Hospital NHSMilton KeynesMK6 5LDEmployer's websitehttps://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)