Band 4 - Health Play Specialist, WACS | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Are you a passionate Health Play Specialist looking to make a real difference to children and young people? Come and join our friendly and developing Children’s Services team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and compassionate Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join our paediatric service. You will work across our children’s services, using therapeutic and specialised play to help babies, children and young people understand and cope with hospitalisation, procedures and treatment.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team where play is recognised as an essential part of the child’s hospital experience. We are looking for someone who is flexible, motivated and passionate about delivering outstanding child and family-centred care.

The role will work flexibly across our paediatric clinical areas as part of a 7-day service.

As a Health Play Specialist, you will assess the individual play and developmental needs of babies, children and young people and plan appropriate therapeutic play interventions.

You will support children and families before, during and following procedures and treatment, helping to reduce anxiety, build coping strategies and create a more positive healthcare experience.

Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, you will provide specialist advice around play, development and preparation for procedures and advocate for the needs of children and young people.

You will work flexibly across our paediatric services, responding to changing clinical priorities while helping us continue to develop a responsive, high-quality Health Play Service.

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

You will work as part of the wider paediatric multidisciplinary team, delivering therapeutic and developmental play across our inpatient, emergency, assessment, day-care and outpatient services.

The role includes assessment and individualised play planning, preparation and distraction for procedures, supporting children with additional and complex needs, maintaining safe play environments and resources, and contributing to documentation, risk assessment and service development.

You will be expected to work flexibly across clinical areas according to patient and service need.

The service is expanding to a 7-day service, and weekend working will be required on a rotational basis to ensure consistent support for children, young people and families throughout the week. Working patterns and full details will be discussed at interview.

This advert closes on Thursday 24 Sep 2026