FULL TIME 1FTE, PERMANENT

Remuneration as per PSA SECA guidelines
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.
Are you passionate about supporting tamariki and their whaanau through the challenges of illness and hospitalisation? Join our Kidz First team as a Play Specialist and help us create meaningful, therapeutic play experiences that make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
At Kidz First, we believe in delivering whaanau-centred, culturally safe care that recognises the unique developmental and emotional needs of each child. As a Play Specialist, youll use play as a therapeutic tool to reduce anxiety, enhance understanding, and promote resilience in tamariki who are navigating the hospital journey.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A degree qualification with a focus on ECE/primary teaching and/or child development
• Full teacher registration and a current Practicing Certificate
• A minimum of 7 years of experience working in healthcare and education settings
• Current Full Hospital Play Specialist Registration
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate and professional approach
• A commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice, especially for Maaori and Pacific whaanau

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Practice Supervisor, you will support colleagues with their clinical work, and the team leader to meet Ministry of Education and Health NZ requirements. This role has a balance of clinical work as a play specialist and leadership/management responsibilities.

PLAY SPECIALIST ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Planning and delivering play programmes tailored to individual clinical, emotional, and developmental needs
• Supporting children, young people and whaanau during procedures, admissions, and treatment through distraction, preparation, and coping strategies
• Advocating for child-friendly spaces and practices within the hospital setting
• Partnering with whaanau to maintain a sense of normality and empowerment throughout their hospital stay

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Having a thorough understanding of Ministry of Education requirements for ECE services and supporting the service to meet these requirements
• Encouraging and supporting the growth of colleagues through orientation, mentoring, supervision, and professional growth cycles
• Supporting and planning professional development for the service including the facilitation of the Preceptorship modules
• Supporting service management through strategic and annual planning, recruitment, appraisal processes, and Ministry of Education funding
• Contributing to service development through policy and guideline development and facilitating weekly team meetings