Head of Manual Handling

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Are you passionate about health and safety and Manual Handling, supporting best practice, ensuring that everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their workplace? If so, then application is invited for you to join our Health and Safety Service as Head of Manual Handling.

The role carries the responsibility for ensuring the provision of risk assessed specialist, competent, appropriate, and professional advice, guidance, and support to services across NHS Tayside on Manual Handling at corporate, managerial, and clinical/non-clinical levels. To provide assurance to the Board that NHS Tayside is compliant with its responsibilities under Health and Safety Legislation and Scottish Manual Handling Passport Standards SMHPS) in relation to Manual Handling Risk Management; and to work in close collaboration with NHS Tayside Legal Team to investigate Manual Handling incidents.

Responsible for the development of NHS Tayside wide Manual Handling strategy, policies/ protocols and support service development whilst working closely and collaboratively with those specialities for whom Manual Handling is provided.

Provide professional leadership and management for the Manual Handling Team and oversees the activities of the Local Manual Handling Trainers and Competency Based Assessors. To facilitate the development, delivery, monitoring, and auditing of Manual Handling Training provision ensuring the delivery of Manual Handling Services throughout NHS Tayside as required by the service specification and NHS Tayside Manual Handling Policy

Key knowledge, training and experience required for the role include:

• Masters degree desirable but not essential, with a professional clinical registration/background, supplemented with post graduate Specialist Back Care Management, Manual Handling/Risk Management and Ergonomic qualifications.
• A member of the National Back Exchange.
• The post holder will have wide-ranging experience in a variety of clinical settings across the range of services that NHS Tayside typically provides including complex multi-disciplinary environments.
• They will have extensive experience in a Learning and Development and Manual Handling advisory role. This will have led to a broad knowledge of NHS Scotland structure and partner organisations to include local authorities, universities, GPs, and their inter-relationships.
• The post holder will have in depth specialist theoretical and practical knowledge capable of supporting detailed advice and influence across the Board with a specific lead role for Manual Handling and associated Risk Management. They will also have a thorough working knowledge of relevant common and statutory law specific to Manual Handling sufficient to negotiate with enforcing authorities.
• Management/leadership qualifications and experience is required.
• Effective communication and presentation skills are essential.

If you meet the above criteria, then we would really like to hear from you.

Informal enquiries to Kenneth Fleming, Head of Health and Safety at

Hours of work for the post are: 37 hours per week. Core Team hours cover Monday to Friday, :30. Office base is Kings Cross Hospital, Dundee.

Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk folder.

Additional Information For Candidates

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date.
• For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link:
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link:
• If you wish to participate in the Job Interview Guarantee Scheme and have been invited to interview, please contact the Hiring Manager as detailed in the advert to discuss any special requirements that you will need to enable you to attend the interview.
• Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
• Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates
• Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub for advice and support with any system issues
• We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
• If you are a current member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Tayside