Health play specialists are professionals who employ therapeutic play techniques to assist children in understanding their medical conditions, treatments, and their impact on daily life. They typically work in hospitals, hospices, and clinics, offering play activities to prepare children for medical procedures and address their concerns and anxieties.
Responsibilities of a health play specialist include:
- Creating a welcoming and safe environment for children to engage in play activities.
- Advocating for children and young people in their interactions with healthcare teams.
- Planning and implementing age-appropriate play activities individually and in groups.
- Using play to help children cope with hospital life and medical procedures, facilitating consent and compliance.
- Facilitating social interaction to help patients and families find support.
- Conducting therapeutic assessments and monitoring progress.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to support long-term care plans.
- Providing support and advice to families on using play to cope with diagnosis and treatment.
- Ensuring cleanliness, maintenance, and safety of play facilities.
In senior roles, additional responsibilities may include:
- Overseeing practice planning, evaluation, and budget management.
- Supervising junior staff and mentoring students.
- Managing departmental budgets and resources.
Salary and working hours:
- Salaries range from £20,330 to £39,027 depending on experience and seniority.
- Working hours typically consist of a 37.5-hour week, with potential for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Qualifications and skills required:
- A foundation degree in healthcare play specialism and registration with HPSET are necessary.
- Skills include empathy, communication, teamwork, organisation, and cultural awareness.
- Relevant work experience in childcare, along with GCSEs in maths and English, is essential.
Professional development:
- Continuing professional development (CPD) is encouraged for registration renewal and career advancement.
- Opportunities for CPD include involvement in professional bodies, attending conferences, and peer discussions.
Career prospects:
- Career progression is based on gaining experience, CPD, and potential management or leadership training.
- Advancement opportunities include senior roles such as team leader or play service manager.
- Some professionals may transition into related roles like nursing or teaching with further training and experience.