Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Manual Handling Advisor & Trainer

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Job summary
PLEASE NOTE: Sponsorship is not normally available for this vacancy - applicants must have the right-to-work in the UK for this role by their proposed start date.

The post holder will provide evidence-based specialist advice, training and education to all staff groups on moving and handling of patients and loads. This will include mandatory and non mandatory training provision. There will also be an opportunity to provide bespoke specialised training sessions/on site training sessions to specific staff groups showing flexibility in approach based on assessment of need.

The Manual Handling Advisor will assist the service to promote musculoskeletal health at work and reduce injury. This will contribute to the health and wellbeing of staff at work and also prevention of harms to patient.

Good communication and interpersonal and training skills are essential to the post, which will be proactive in the delivery of support, advice and training to all staff groups within the Trust.

Main duties of the job
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated, skilled individual to come and join the Manual Handling team as a Manual Handling Advisor and Trainer. We are seeking passionate individuals who are able to work within a team, as a role model, empower staff and promote best handling practice.

The Manual Handling Advisor will be closely involved with the Manual Handling team to promote ergonomics and musculoskeletal health at work. Part of this role involves working alongside staff on wards and departments to provide clinical support with the manual handling management of patients. Acute or community health care experience in moving and handling of people would be valuable.

There are excellent opportunities for Learning and Development available in the Trust and the successful applicant will be well supported and encouraged to develop in their role. Informal visits are welcome.

About us
Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

We support flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis taking into account service requirements, operational needs and the requirements of the role.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata, per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 193-8377302CORB6Adv
Job locations: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Managerial -

• Work as an effective team member, communicating effectively with members of the wider organisation.
• To ensure the effective management and development of junior members of staff in the manual handling team. Responsible for ensuring that individual performance review and personal development plans are completed annually.
• Contribute to annual analysis of training needs to ensure all employees in the organisation receive manual handling training appropriate to their role and needs; develop a service plan to meet these needs.
• Assist the Head of Risk Management develop the service in response to the changing / evolving needs of patients / practitioners and to new evidence based research/ national initiatives / Trust audits.
• Contribute to the maintenance of manual handling training equipment to ensure training equipment is safe.
• Evaluate products related to manual handling, working collaboratively with clinical engineering, procurement department and clinical areas to ensure the trust is using the most up to date equipment.
• Ensure the maintenance of accurate training database & aim to attain Trusts compliance rate for mandatory training.
• Actively promote diversity, including race diversity in the delivery of moving and handling training.

Clinical and Technical

• Act as an expert resource to advise staff throughout the trust on the moving and handling of patients and Inanimate loads. When possible work along side staff in the clinical areas to coach them in moving and handling patients with complex needs.
• Ensure patients privacy and dignity is preserved at all times.
• Develop and regularly review a suite of generic safe systems of work. Where more specialist or bespoke safe systems are required advise and assist managers in their development.
• Attend relevant committees as required providing manual handling advice e.g. Pressure ulcer prevention committee, falls committee.
• Respond to, and investigate manual handling incidents, liaising with appropriate managers, and instigate effective remedial actions.
• Working collaboratively with the Trust Risk Manager to provide advice & support to trust wide risks associated with manual Handling.
• Work as a role model, challenging and supporting individual practitioners when necessary.

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse/Health Care Professional (NMC/HCPC)

Desirable

• Manual Handling qualification
• Understanding of risk and legislation associated with manual handling

Experience
Essential

• Experience in working in clinical practice in an acute care setting where a wide range of moving and handling techniques are used including those used to move patients with complex needs
• Competent in a wide range of Manual Handling techniques used in an acute care setting

Desirable

• Experience of using manual handling equipment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Risk, Dawn Estabrook, dawn.estabrook@nhs.net, 07759682377

Supporting documents
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