Health Play Specialist

Health Play Specialist (Neonatology)

�� Join the Future of Paediatric Care at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)

�� Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is now inviting applications for Health Play Specialist (Neonatology)

Health Play Specialists (HPS) work as integral members of the paediatric medical team with responsibility for the social and emotional welfare of the child. Health Play Specialists have the remit to promote play throughout the hospital and to encourage and guide nursing staff, volunteers, and parents to participate in play. Health Play Specialists work alongside the medical team to create a positive healthcare environment while minimizing the distress of hospitalisation through play-based techniques including but not limited to developmental play, therapeutic play, medical play, post-procedural play, preparation play, and distraction or redirected play. It is the belief of the CHI Healthcare Play Service that all children who come into the hospital are entitled to access to play as it provides a way for children to learn, understand, and cope with their medical experience. It is the role of the Health Play Specialists to create play opportunities and encourage positive coping for children and their families who attend Children’s Health Ireland.

Why join CHI?

✅ Career growth: A supportive environment, exposure to cross-disciplinary teams, and opportunities to work in Ireland's newest Hospital with state of the art equipment.

✅ Competitive salary: € 45, 029– €64, 361 LSIs, aligned with HSE pay scales.

✅ Impactful work: Make a real difference and help in creating a culture of Ireland’s leading paediatric hospitals.

Essential Requirements:

✨ Hold a QQI level 7 qualification (NQF level 7/bachelor's degree) in Early Childhood Studies, Childcare, Montessori, or an equivalent related professional qualification.

AND

✨ Have a minimum of three years’ experience working with children in a group setting.

AND

✨ Eligibility and commitment to undertake Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism within first year of employment. Successful completion of the programme leads to registration with Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS) previously the Health Play Specialist Education Trust.

Application Process:

* Please note that the start date for this role is January 2027*

Applications for this post must be accompanied by a cover letter, setting out relevant experience that illustrates how the essential criteria listed above is met.

The criterion for short listing is based on the requirements of the post, as outlined in the eligibility criteria.

* Please note that you must submit a cover letter with your CV, this forms part of your application and CV’s will not be accepted without a detailed cover letter.

The closing date for submissions of CV’s and cover letter is Sunday 31st May 2026 by 23:45 pm. Applications must be completed through the advertised post on CHI.jobs by clicking ‘Apply for Job’.

Applications will not be accepted through direct email or any other method.

For informal enquiries for this specialty/department, please contact emma.fratangelo@childrenshealthireland.ie

For other queries relating to this recruitment process, please contact Recruitment at Aine.Campion@childrenshealthireland.ie

PLEASE NOTE:

CHI has transitioned to a process of a one commencement day per month for all new employees, CHI internal transfers and Secondments. This update to our Onboarding process is aligned to changes in our monthly/fortnightly payroll and with the launch of our new corporate induction program. This process enhancement ensures that we can thoroughly prepare for your arrival and facilitate a smooth transition in your onboarding journey.

It is important for you to note that if you do not have your pre-employments and mandatory training completed in time, your commencement date will be deferred to the next available date.