Understanding the Role
Hospital Play Specialists work in health care settings to support children, young people and their whānau to cope with hospitalization by minimizing associated stress and anxiety, building coping strategies and creating opportunities for participating in their health cares. We use ‘Play’ as a medium to achieve this outcome and to create ongoing learning opportunities.
Working in a hospital setting requires a unique set of skills. It is about working alongside children, young people and their families as well as a multidisciplinary team which includes allied health, nursing and medical professionals. Hospital Play Specialists are required to be confident in their knowledge of child development and learning styles. Play specialists must be flexible and adaptable in their work as we take a very individualized approach to support children and their whānau in the hospital. Hospital Play specialists may be found in the playroom engaged in building a castle of blocks or checking a dolls blood pressure. We also work at the bedside creating opportunities for play and learning for those who are restricted to their rooms. We are a listening ear for whānau negotiating the challenges of having a child in hospital. We provide support for the child, whānau and the nursing team in the treatment room, where we work to minimize anxiety, stress and the pain related to procedures and interventions. It is a challenging and rewarding role where no two days are ever the same.
Working in a hospital setting requires a unique set of skills. It is about working alongside children, young people and their families as well as a multidisciplinary team which includes allied health, nursing and medical professionals. Hospital Play Specialists are required to be confident in their knowledge of child development and learning styles. Play specialists must be flexible and adaptable in their work as we take a very individualized approach to support children and their whānau in the hospital. Hospital Play specialists may be found in the playroom engaged in building a castle of blocks or checking a dolls blood pressure. We also work at the bedside creating opportunities for play and learning for those who are restricted to their rooms. We are a listening ear for whānau negotiating the challenges of having a child in hospital. We provide support for the child, whānau and the nursing team in the treatment room, where we work to minimize anxiety, stress and the pain related to procedures and interventions. It is a challenging and rewarding role where no two days are ever the same.
