Health Play Specialist

Purpose of the Role

Health Play Specialists (HPS) work as integral members of the paediatric medical team with responsibility for the social and emotional welfare of the child. Health Play Specialists have the remit to promote play throughout CHI the hospital and to encourage and guide nursing staff, volunteers, and parents to participate in play. Health Play Specialists work alongside the medical team to create a positive healthcare environment while minimizing the distress of hospitalisation through play-based techniques including but not limited to developmental play, therapeutic play, medical play, post-procedural play, preparation play, and distraction or redirected play. It is the belief of the CHI Healthcare Play Service that all children who come into the hospital are entitled to access to play as it provides a way for children to learn, understand, and cope with their medical experience. It is the role of the Health Play Specialists to create play opportunities and encourage positive coping for children and their families who attend Children’s Health Ireland.

The successful candidate may be required to work across CHI sites and services in line with organisational requirements and the development of the new children’s hospital and associated services.

Essential Criteria:

• Be a qualified Health Play Specialist (HPS). Having completed the Health Play Specialism Foundation Degree OR be otherwise eligible for registration with SoHPS (Society of Health Play Specialists.
• Have a minimum of three years working with children and young people in a hospital setting.