Hospital Play Specialist
8AI EXPOSURE TODAY8
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST38%
NOT A FORECAST38%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYA
STARTING PAY£22,000 - £28,000
RELATIONAL MOATPeople want a real person for this. That preference is the protection.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM NURSING AND MIDWIFERY →
Hospital Play Specialist
Hospital Play Specialists play a crucial role in the healthcare system, providing emotional and psychological support to children facing medical treatments. By using play as a therapeutic tool, they help alleviate fear and anxiety, making a significant difference in the lives of young patients and their families across the UK.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (8), and people want a real person for this. That preference is the protection. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Hospital Play SpecialistIn this entry-level role, you will assist senior specialists in planning and delivering play activities, gaining hands-on experience in a hospital setting.£22,000 - £28,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Hospital Play SpecialistAs a mid-level specialist, you will take on more responsibilities, including designing play programmes and mentoring junior staff.£30,000 - £38,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Hospital Play SpecialistIn this senior role, you will lead a team of play specialists, develop hospital-wide play initiatives, and contribute to policy-making in child healthcare.£45,000+
Apprenticeship listings for this career → (June 2026 snapshot; check closing dates on the official service)
The degree route
Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NursingRoyal School of Needlework(The) · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£34,500 median
🎓Mental Health Nursing with foundation yearCoventry University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£32,000 median
All Nursing and Midwifery courses as cards →
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.
Degree subjects that lead this way
Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.
Nursing AssociateThe University of Cumbria · DegreeMental Health and Learning Disabilities NursingRoyal School of Needlework(The) · DegreeMidwiferyUniversity of Southampton · DegreeMental Health NursingDancebox Theatre Works · DegreeMental Health Nursing with foundation yearCoventry University · DegreeMidwiferyUniversity of Plymouth · Degree