We are seeking an experienced and motivated Moving and Handling and Back Care Advisor to provide Trust-wide leadership, specialist advice and training across Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. This is a permanent Band 7 post within the Physical Health Team, working 22.5 hours per week and reporting to the Lead Nurse for Physical Health.
You will lead on safe moving and handling practice for people and inanimate loads, helping staff to reduce risk, prevent musculoskeletal injury and deliver safe, person-centred care. The role combines practical teaching, complex assessment, policy development, incident learning, audit and expert advice.
We are looking for a registered healthcare professional, or someone with equivalent patient-handling qualifications, who has substantial moving and handling/back care advisory experience in healthcare. You will bring current legislative knowledge, strong teaching skills and the confidence to influence colleagues at every level.
As the Trust’s lead specialist for moving and handling, you will design, deliver and evaluate theoretical and practical training for a wide range of staff. You will provide specialist instruction on hoists and other equipment, assess complex patient-handling and workplace ergonomic needs, and recommend safe systems of work and reasonable adjustments.
You will review policies and procedures in line with legislation, professional guidance and evidence-based practice; undertake audits; monitor training attendance and practice; and use findings to support improvement. You will advise managers and multidisciplinary teams following moving and handling incidents, contribute to investigations and RIDDOR reporting where required, and identify themes and actions to reduce recurrence.
The successful candidate will be able to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, communicate complex or contentious information clearly, and remain calm and objective in difficult situations. The role involves regular practical demonstrations, oversight of moving and handling training equipment within the Trust, and travelling across the Trust to provide support and advice to a range of services.
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.
What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.
It’s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of
If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.
We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.
The Moving and Handling and Back Care Advisor will be the Trust’s lead specialist for moving and handling, back care and ergonomics. Working within the Physical Health Team in the Quality Directorate and reporting to the Lead Nurse for Physical Health, the postholder will provide expert advice, training and assurance across the Trust.
The postholder will work autonomously, organising and prioritising their workload while working closely with clinical services, managers, multidisciplinary teams, Health and Safety, Risk Management and other specialist colleagues.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, planning, delivering and evaluating theoretical and practical moving and handling training for staff across the Trust.
- Identifying training needs and developing programmes covering the safe handling of people and inanimate loads.
- Providing specialist instruction and workplace-based support in the safe use of hoists, stand aids and other moving and handling equipment.
- Demonstrating safe and effective moving and handling techniques, including appropriate body mechanics, posture and positioning.
- Undertaking comprehensive moving and handling risk assessments for service users with complex needs and working with multidisciplinary teams to develop safe, person-centred handling plans.
- Providing timely specialist advice to clinical services and managers regarding complex moving and handling situations, including the management of bariatric service users.
- Undertaking workplace ergonomic and work-placement assessments and advising managers on safe systems of work and reasonable workplace adjustments.
- Reviewing and developing the Trust’s moving and handling policies, procedures and guidance to ensure they reflect current legislation, case law, professional guidance and evidence-based practice.
- Supporting the development of consistent standards and safe systems of work for moving and handling across the Trust.
Please refer to JD and PS for full details
