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University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

About
Contact
- Address
- Trust Headquarters
- 250 Euston Road
- London
- NW1 2PG
- Contact Number
- 0845 1555 000
Find out more
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Health Play Specialist Radiotherapy/Proton Beam Therapy
Closed for applications on: 27-Mar-2025 00:02
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 27-Mar-2025 00:02
Key details
Location
- Site
- University College Hospital
- Address
- 235 Euston Road
- Town
- London
- Postcode
- NW1 2BU
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary
- Salary
- £35,964 - £43,780 Per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 5)
Specialty
- Main area
- Radiotherapy
The use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it, then they are required to declare this in their supporting statement.
Job overview
A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Senior Health Play Specialist to join our experienced and forward-thinking team of Advanced & Senior Health Play Specialists within the Radiotherapy (RT) and Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) departments. The post holder will support children and young people (CYP) up to the age of 18 years, and their families across both sites.
If you would like to know more about the role or to arrange a tour of the departments, please contact: Claire Hardy & Rhonda Alexander- Advanced Health Play Specialist (Team Leaders) e-mail: claire.hardy10@nhs.net, rhonda.alexander@nhs.net |
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The core aspect of this role is to provide individualised preparation for children and young people coming for radiotherapy/ proton beam therapy treatment. The post holder will be involved in all aspects of preparation and support from the patient’s initial consultation through to the end of their RT/ PBT. This includes preparing for and supporting the patient through immobilisation (a patient specific mould), CT and MRI scans as well as treatment, using specialist skills in preparation and distraction to help reduce anxiety associated with RT/PBT planning and treatment procedures.
The post holder will be part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in meetings, discussions, and assessments of the children and young people accessing our service.
Applicants are required to have experience of working with paediatric and TYAs in a healthcare setting and to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. They will need to be able to engage easily with the patient and to be able to work effectively alongside MDT colleagues to enhance the hospital experience. The postholder will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is highly valued as an integral part of the treatment pathway for children and young people.
For more information about the departments please see our websites:
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/pbt
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/cancer-services/radiotherapy
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
At UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) our success starts with you.
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation.
Based in the busy West End of London, we have a lively and vibrant working atmosphere, with quick and easy transport links to all our sites. Our size and resources enable us to offer a range of attractive benefits as well as unparalleled education and development opportunities for staff at all levels. This includes an extensive portfolio of academic and clinical courses and programmes ranging from ongoing personal development through to clinical excellence and leadership skills. UCLH prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.
UCLH is seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence and the ability to lead in their area of expertise.
The post holder will play a key role in managing paediatric and TYA patients with complex needs who are undergoing a course of RT/PBT. It will be necessary to use evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play and recreational interventions. They will play a role in generating new solutions to identify and best meet the needs of patients and their families and manage projects under the supervision of the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Co-ordinators. In addition, the post holder will monitor the play environments to ensure that these are age-appropriate areas where play and recreation occurs naturally. The post holder will play a role in improving the safety and quality of the services for children, contributing to safeguarding and identifying improvements. They will work closely with the Specialist Paediatric and TYA Radiographer and the Team Leader Senior Play Specialists/Activity Co-ordinators in the overall pathway management of Paediatric and TYA patients within the service and for meeting national and local targets. They will work as part of the Radiotherapy Play Team as well as working independently to meet the needs of the patients and their families. The post holder will liaise closely with GOSH, in Day Care, with the UCLH paediatric cancer wards and external referring hospitals.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
*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.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
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.
At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.
Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage’s staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.
We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.
We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.
This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.
Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor’s contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.
You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.
Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 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.
- Bachelor’s Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development For example; Counselling Skills certificate, Supervisory Skills Training, Presentation skills., Published articles, Conference Presentations
- Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions relevant to patient group and treatment plan.
- Knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and long term chronic and life threatening illness on children and young people and their families.
- Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and ability to self -manage or seek help appropriately
- Knowledge of current health legislation and SoHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
- Knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
Desirable criteria
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
Experience
Essential criteria
- 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 effective working as a team member within the MDT.
- Experience of providing family centred care and working with the extended family
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of working with patients with challenging behaviours.
Desirable criteria
- Comprehensive experience of leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
- Regular supervision of students.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Theoretical understanding of and ability to manage & apply therapeutic play interventions for children and young people in a hospital setting including preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
- Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
- Word processing, excel and internet search skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team, manage own workload and determine priorities under pressure.
- Able to communicate complex information effectively with patients, families and staff, in written, verbal and nonverbal forms
Desirable criteria
- Presentation skills
- Counselling skills
Other requirements
Essential criteria
- HPSET registration
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Laura Allington
- Job title
- Operational Lead for PBT
- Email address
- l.allington@nhs.net
- Additional information
If you would like to know more about the role or to arrange a tour of the departments, please contact:
Laura Allington, Proton Services Manager / Nazima Haj, Radiotherapy Services Manager
e-mail: l.allington@nhs.net, nazima.haji@nhs.net
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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