Moving and Handling Trainer

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustMoving and Handling Trainer / AdvisorClosing date: 18 December 2025Are you passionate about promoting safety and improving patient care? We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Moving and Handling Specialist Trainer/Adviser to join our team and make a significant impact on our organisation. This is a part-time permanent post at band 6 for 30 hours per week.Successful candidates are likely to be enthusiastic and pragmatic with the ability to respond to competing demands in a calm and logical manner. Join us in our mission to provide exceptional care and create a safe environment for everyone. If you are enthusiastic about leading initiatives in patient handling and safety, we want to hear from youThe Trust welcomes applications from applicants who meet the job description criteria and are willing to work in this highly demanding role.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be a subject matter expert of inanimate object/patient handling and have a wealth of experience gained in a healthcare setting. The ideal person will be able to easily adapt their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the wide variety of team needs. They will be flexible and open to developing new ways of working to meet changing needs and keen to make a real difference for the safety of both staff and patients.About usMid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.Job responsibilitiesService DeliveryAct as the expert adviser on the Trust's Moving and Handling Policy and guidelines for use within the Trust and assist in the review and development of such documents to ensure legislative compliance.Provide expert advice to support managers and staff by promoting systems of work which enable safe moving and handling activities, including the development of generic safe systems of work and assisting in the development of bespoke systems and evidence-based solutions.To work under the management and supervision of the Trust Health and Safety Adviser, providing expert advice on all aspects of Moving and Handling requirement.Provide specialist assistance with the assessment of patient nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery for complex cases, according to changing health care needs and in conjunction with the relevant clinical team.Assist managers to undertake moving and handling assessments and develop safe systems of moving and handling practices based on the assessments.To work closely with Occupational Health on the prevention of moving & handling associated injuries; the rehabilitation of staff and the promotion of musculo-skeletal self-care for staff.Assist with the analyses and review of all moving and handling incidents to look for trends and opportunities to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence and to share best practice.Assist on designing and implementing moving and handling training programme to meet the needs of staff across the Trust. Review learning from all existing, new and revised legislation, guidance and complaints implementing agreed training plans.Assist the Trust in achieving compliance rates for moving and handling.Advise on the selection, procurement and use of equipment related to moving and handling/patient handling activities.Assist in the development of bespoke solutions to complex handling problems.Undertake annual audits of compliance with the Trust's moving and handling procedure.Assist in helping to produce an annual report outlining local compliance with Trust policy and procedures with regards to moving and handling/patient handling.To support the wider Moving and Handling and Health and Safety agenda as required.GovernanceTo assist in producing audit criteria capable of measuring the implementation / progress of the moving and handling strategy and procedure.To assist with the assessment of competence of staff in relation to the use of specialist moving and handling equipment.Help develop and maintain systems and processes to establish and maintain effective communication, and confidentiality of information.Help to develop and maintain systems and processes to continually monitor standards, e.g. identifying risks, root cause analysis, benchmarking, audit, and prepare and implement action plans to improve quality of services.Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.To liaise with manufacturers to ensure suitability of equipment.Managerial / LeadershipAct as a role model by demonstrating expertise and by attaining credibility within the Trust.Contribute to the Trust's Health & Safety Group and other relevant groups on moving and handling related issues as required.To ensure that work is appropriately prioritised and completed ahead of deadlines.As an employee of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, all Trust staff have responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as detailed in the Trust's Health & Safety Policy and comply with all other Trust policies and procedures.Education / LearningAssist with the ongoing development, delivery and implementation of the Trust's moving and handling programme to meet national, local and legislative requirements, whilst interpreting and meeting health service policy and strategy.In conjunction with the Head of Health & Safety, the Health and Safety Adviser and Organisational Development Learning, assist to develop and maintain systems and processes to ensure that learning needs are identified and met, and that all learning is planned, implemented, evaluated and shared in order to change and improve services according to changing health care needs.To support the Trust wide Fire Safety evacuation drills programme and in relation to the use of moving and handling aids for safe evacuation where relevant.Take responsibility for own learning and Continuous Professional Development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in their appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.Person SpecificationQualificationsProfessional qualification in Health Care, Registered Nurse, Occupational therapist, Physiotherapist or Ergonomist (Degree level)Training qualification such as Certificate in Education, PTLLS or equivalent experienceMember of National Back ExchangeExperienceExperience of developing policies, procedures and guidelinesSpecific experience within a healthcare environment relating to the assessment of moving and handling risks and the development and delivery of associated trainingExtensive experience in developing and advising on moving and handling/patient handling assessments for safer practiceA minimum of three years' post qualification experience of working in a similar role, within in a healthcare organisationExperience of working in both Acute and Community settingsExperience of Root Cause analysisSkillsCompetent in a range of manual handling/patient handling techniques used in a healthcare settingCompetent in a range of manual handling/patient handling techniques used in a healthcare settingAbility to negotiate with senior staff, other agencies or external providersEvidence of effective presentation and communication skillsShows motivation in developing new skills and knowledge. Embraces change and innovation positively and with enthusiasmProficient in the use of Microsoft Office applicationsCar driver and access to a vehicleEvidence of service development and changeExperience of auditingAble to demonstrate problem solving skills and handle detailed specialist informationAble to lead meetings and discussions with clinical and non-clinical teams within the Trust and across the wider healthcare communityEvidence of clinical experience working within a healthcare settingKnowledgeIn depth knowledge of the legislative requirements and national guidelines for safe manual and handling and patient handling in a healthcare settingIn depth knowledge of the range of moving and handling aids and equipment for both object handling and patient handlingDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr