Health play specialist

As a health play specialist, you would:

• work closely with children, families, carers and health professionals
•  carry out therapeutic assessments
•  design play activities to meet children's individual needs
•  plan and run play, art and craft activities at the bedside, on the ward or in a hospital play area
•  create a safe environment that encourages play
•  advise parents and carers about activities they can do with their children
•  maintain patient records and data

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• a desire to help people
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You will need to find an experienced health play specialist, who is registered with the Society of Health Play Specialists, to act as your mentor during workplace training.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

You could use your experience to work outside of a hospital setting, for example in a hospice or within a community paediatric team.

You could also become a:

• senior play specialist
•  team leader
•  play department manager

You might apply to train as a healthcare professional, like a children's nurse, child psychotherapist or counsellor.