General Information about Hospital Play Specialists in NZ
HPS positions in NZ:
Ours is a small profession with less than 80 positions across New Zealand; most of these are in children’s wards in general hospitals around NZ or in one of the two paediatric centres in Auckland (Starship at Auckland City Hospital and Kidzfirst at Middlemore).
The majority of play services around NZ are also licensed hospital-based early education and care services and as such, can attract funding from the Ministry of Education. For this reason, many vacancies will stipulate that applicants hold a relevant early childhood teacher qualification and registration with the Teachers Council. All HPS roles will require that applicants complete the Vulnerable Children’s Act/police check clearance process.
Qualifications and Training:
There is not currently a specific tertiary qualification in NZ for HPS, training is provided on the job once you secure a role and is the responsibility of your service. Most people start their journey as a HPS with a minimum 3 year tertiary qualification; typically in early childhood education or other fields that incorporate a developmental or youth focus.
Additional Skills:
Whether through paid work, voluntary work or your life experience - it is often helpful to have skills or experience in supporting children with diverse needs, working with families under stress, working with a range of age groups, and with those from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Highlighting skills in strength- based programming, play based learning, interpersonal relationships, prioritising or assessment may support your application for HPS roles.
Opportunities for professional development:
The HPSA offers transition seminars for new HPS once year – this is a series of 6 sessions that support the transition into the HPS role and creates opportunities for developing clinical skills and reasoning. The transition seminars also offer an opportunity to network with others around the country as they are held via videoconference and a 2 day onsite workshop.
The HPSA organises an international biennial conference – which is usually held over 3 days in March/April and runs in alternate years to the Australian conference. Typically, this includes a hospital tour and an optional intensive/workshop day prior to the conference starting. A great opportunity for our NZ based HPS and international colleagues to share new learning, resources or highlight projects.
Additional professional development may be accessed in regional cluster meetings which provide opportunities for networking and workshops; these are coordinated and organised by individual HPS services. Most hospitals also offer access to shared professional development through the DHB, and also through group discussions/presentations such as grand rounds and paediatric updates.
Ours is a small profession with less than 80 positions across New Zealand; most of these are in children’s wards in general hospitals around NZ or in one of the two paediatric centres in Auckland (Starship at Auckland City Hospital and Kidzfirst at Middlemore).
The majority of play services around NZ are also licensed hospital-based early education and care services and as such, can attract funding from the Ministry of Education. For this reason, many vacancies will stipulate that applicants hold a relevant early childhood teacher qualification and registration with the Teachers Council. All HPS roles will require that applicants complete the Vulnerable Children’s Act/police check clearance process.
Qualifications and Training:
There is not currently a specific tertiary qualification in NZ for HPS, training is provided on the job once you secure a role and is the responsibility of your service. Most people start their journey as a HPS with a minimum 3 year tertiary qualification; typically in early childhood education or other fields that incorporate a developmental or youth focus.
Additional Skills:
Whether through paid work, voluntary work or your life experience - it is often helpful to have skills or experience in supporting children with diverse needs, working with families under stress, working with a range of age groups, and with those from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Highlighting skills in strength- based programming, play based learning, interpersonal relationships, prioritising or assessment may support your application for HPS roles.
Opportunities for professional development:
The HPSA offers transition seminars for new HPS once year – this is a series of 6 sessions that support the transition into the HPS role and creates opportunities for developing clinical skills and reasoning. The transition seminars also offer an opportunity to network with others around the country as they are held via videoconference and a 2 day onsite workshop.
The HPSA organises an international biennial conference – which is usually held over 3 days in March/April and runs in alternate years to the Australian conference. Typically, this includes a hospital tour and an optional intensive/workshop day prior to the conference starting. A great opportunity for our NZ based HPS and international colleagues to share new learning, resources or highlight projects.
Additional professional development may be accessed in regional cluster meetings which provide opportunities for networking and workshops; these are coordinated and organised by individual HPS services. Most hospitals also offer access to shared professional development through the DHB, and also through group discussions/presentations such as grand rounds and paediatric updates.
