Play Specialist

**_Permanent Part-Time position 20 hours per week (0.5FTE)_**:

- **_ Registered Early Childhood Teacher may be considered._**:

- **_ Excellent knowledge of child development required._**

**_ Our Culture:_** What Matters To Us**
- Ko Te Whatu Manawa Tangata_
- Putting people at the heart of all we do_

For us to continue putting our communities at the centre of our health system, we - re putting our own people at the centre of everything we do. Because health is ultimately all about people. What - s important around here is the way we care for and respect others, the responsibility that all our people take for delivering outcomes, and that we go about our work with integrity in all we do.

What matters to us is doing the right thing, valuing everyone, and being and staying well ourselves so we can care for our community.

**_
The Role:_** What This Opportunity - s All About**

You will be working in the Paediatric Outpatient area at Christchurch Hospital, working strongly alongside Nurses, Registrars and Paediatricians. This role will see you working with a diverse range of the paediatric population with a variety of health conditions. It is often fast paced and you will need to build a trusting relationship quickly with the tamariki and their whānau.

As a hospital play specialist in this role it will be imperative that you are adaptable and flexible. You will need to be able to work under pressure and have a sound knowledge of development and be able to quickly establish rapport with tamariki and their whanau to help them build trust and coping skills. Through these relationships you hope to minimise the psychological impact of the tamariki. A huge part of this role is providing emotional support through preparation and play aiming to improve the child - s ability to cope. You will also be supporting the medical team and the child with comprehensive procedural plans to ensure success with procedures and developing coping strategies. You will work with autistic tamariki and their whanau so skills working with neurodiverse tamariki is highly desirable.

This is a very challenging but rewarding role. Working with and alongside families/ whanau is critical to your success in this role so your natural ability to form great relationships will be vital.

**We are looking preferably for an experienced Registered Hospital Play Specialist to come join our fun team in a Permanent Part-time role however if you are an experienced Registered Early Childhood Teacher and you have the skills and attributes we are looking for then please apply.**

**Key skills and attributes**:

- Ability to adapt and work effectively within a variety of situations with a variety of individuals and groups.
- Excellent knowledge of child development and neurodiverse diagnosis
- Has strong organisational and time management skills
- Be able to build quick rapport with children and families
- Strong ability in assessing children using psychosocial assessment tools
- Strong cultural competency skills
- Clear confident communicator
- An understanding of the importance of play

**Mō mātou | About Us**
- Ko ngā tāngata, te mātua mahi_ - _Putting people at the heart of all we do - _

Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand, leads the day-to-day running of our health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. It weaves the functions of the 20 former District Health Boards into its regional divisions and district offices, ensuring continuity of services in the health system.

Here in Waitaha, Canterbury we deliver health services to the almost 600,000 people that live in the Canterbury region. We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles by ensuring our partnership with Māori are at the forefront of all our conversations.

**Ngā** **hua | Benefits of working at Te Whatu Ora [Health New Zealand]**

When you work at the Te Whatu Ora, you are part of a wider whānau that will support you along your journey. We offer great coaching, mentoring and learning outcomes for all staff. We are always improving our facilities across all campuses and have amazing discounts from select retailers, restaurants and business.

We have a range of clinical and non-clinical roles at Health New Zealand, there could be a place for you

Please visit our careers website for other roles and find your ideal fit within Health New Zealand.

**The Future of the Health Industry