A unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dynamic Senior Health Play Specialist (HPS) to join our experienced team 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.
The post holder will be involved in all aspects of preparation and support from initial consultation through to completion of RT/PBT. This includes supporting the patient through immobilisation, CT and MRI scans as well as treatment, using specialist skills in preparation and distraction to help reduce anxiety associated with these procedures. They will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in assessments of patients accessing our service.
UCLH is the largest provider of paediatric and TYA RT services in the UK. RT delivers treatments for a broad spectrum of cancers including brachytherapy, molecular RT and total body irradiation. The PBT department focus’s predominantly on head and neck, neurological and sarcoma treatment sites and is one of only two NHS PBT centres. We are seeking a committed individual with the energy and focus to continue building on the existing service of excellence.
The post holder will undertake core aspects of the HPS role, from building trusting relationships, to preparing and supporting for each stage of the RT/PBT pathway.
Daily/weekly activities will include.
- Initial consultations/ meeting new families.
- Assessment of child & family needs
- Preparing & supporting CYP for procedures such as CT, MRI and treatment.
- Individualised preparation sessions and visits to treatment machines
- Supporting patients & families on the General Anaesthetic pathway
- Providing general play and recreation
Other duties involve documentation and attendance and contribution at MDT and clinics. There are also opportunities for supporting and mentoring students, teaching and presentations, and developing the role across both departments. They will work primarily in a smaller Health play specialist team in RT/ PBT, but also benefit from being part of the wider play and youth service here at UCLH.
Applicants are required to have experience of working with children and young people 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 are highly valued as an integral part of the treatment pathway for children and young people.
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.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Claire Hardy Job title: Advanced Health Play Specialist Email address:
[email protected]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:
[email protected],
[email protected]
