Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has become available for a Health Play Specialist/Nursery Nurse to join our team on the Paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant unit within the Great North Children’s Hospital.
Our ward complies of a 10 bed Specialist unit, we are an internationally renowned bone marrow transplant unit at the Great North Children’s Hospital, where we care for children from birth to 19 years with a wide range of immunological and haematology oncology diseases where haematopoietic stem cell (blood and marrow) transplants are the best and most successful forms of treatment.
All the diseases we treat are life threatening, and we are proud to be one of only two centres in the UK specialising in this field of transplantation (the other being Great Ormond Street).Patients come to us for treatment from all over the world our catchment area within the UK covers everywhere north of Birmingham, Scotland, Wales and all of Ireland. This means that our team develop excellent communication skills with patients from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.
Main duties of the job
You will support patients from assessment and diagnosis through treatment and post-transplant both on the in-patient ward and our day unit.
Give support , teaching and guidance to parents/carers whilst on ward 3 especially during stressful situations .
To encourage parents/carers to actively participate in caring for and playing with their child whilst in hospital.
Support children and young people whilst in hospital ensuring their needs are being met through either play or other diversional therapy.
Supervise and provide support so infant/children’s basic needs are being met.
Work within a multi- disciplinary team to support babies and children from admission to discharge.
Person Specification
Health Play Specialist
Essential
- Health Play Specialist (HPS) qualification at Diploma level, recognised by the Health Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)
- Registered with HPSET.
- Evidence of on-going professional development.
- Able to work effectively as part of multi-disciplinary team, as well as on own initiative within scope of practice, with effective time management.
- Good communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Good organisational skills.
- Basic IT skills
Desirable
- Previous experience in co-ordinating and providing a play service in a healthcare setting
- Experience of working with children and young people with complex health needs and disabilities
- Advanced IT skills
- Able to mentor HPS students and provide support to junior staff
Nursery Nurse
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (e.g. NNEB BTEC Nursery Nurse qualification)
- Ability to work effectively under direction or part of a team
- Ability to work independently
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills
- Good organisational skills
Desirable
- Evidence of on-going professional development
- Previous work in health care setting
- Experience of caring in a personal or professional setting
- Able to manage time
- Basic IT skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 07 December 2025
