Health play specialist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You'll need a foundation degree in a healthcare play specialism to register with the Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust as a registered Health Play Specialist. This is a 2-year, part-time course. To get onto the course, you usually need:

• a childcare qualification at level 3 or above
• GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
• at least 2 years' experience of working with children - paid or voluntary

Courses are a mix of practical work and theory. If you're not already working in healthcare play, you need to arrange a placement during the course.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a health play specialist practitioner higher apprenticeship.

You will need some experience of working with children in a childcare or healthcare setting.

There may be opportunities with the NHS, as well as independent and private providers of healthcare services. You can find vacancies through NHS Jobs and the National Association of Health Play Specialists.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

Volunteering in a healthcare setting will give you useful work experience for applying for courses and jobs.

You may also find volunteering opportunities where you can gain relevant skills, through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• knowledge of the fine arts
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• a desire to help people
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Health play specialists understand child development and use therapeutic play activities to help children cope when in hospital.

As part of this role you may:

• carry out therapeutic assessments
• design play activities to meet children's individual needs
• plan and run play, art and craft activities at the bedside, on the ward or in a hospital play area
• create an environment that encourages play
• talk to parents or carers about the value of play and suggest suitable activities
• organise parties and other special events

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends

Career Path:

You could go on to work outside of a hospital setting, for example in a child development centre, hospice, or within a community paediatric team.

With experience, you could progress to team leader or team manager.

You could also apply to train as a healthcare professional, like a nurse or occupational therapist.