This online CSTF Patient Moving and Handling Level 2 training course covers the following:

• An introduction to the fundamental principles of moving and handling,
• An overview of why ergonomic moving and handling is essential,
• What the law says about moving and handling,
• The actions that organisations should take to promote a safer workforce (organisational responsibilities),
• Individual duties concerning moving and handling (personal responsibilities),
• Definition of manual handling,
• Why we need to understand how our spine and back work,
• An awareness of the most common moving and handling injuries,
• How healthcare workers can promote healthy back care,
• Recommended ergonomic approaches to risk assessments (LITE/TILE),
• Other moving and handling risk factors,
• The principles of safer moving and handling of people,
• Actions to take following a moving and handling risk assessment:
• The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) 'Numerical Guidelines for Lifting and Lowering Loads'
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for handling while seated
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) pushing and pulling guidelines
• Key things to remember when team handling and
• Moving and handling information sources (online manual handling learning resources).

This online CSTF Patient Moving and Handling Level 2 training course is aimed at all staff throughout the NHS and private healthcare and social care sectors, including:

• All new employees, whether clinical or non-clinical,
• Existing staff completing mandatory refresher training,
• Locum doctors and healthcare professionals,
• Agency nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs),
• NHS professionals temporary or bank staff), and
• Unpaid and voluntary staff.

This online CSTF Patient Moving and Handling Level 2 training course can be completed as a standalone module or as part of our Skills for Health CSTF Aligned Mandatory Training Packages.

The aims and objectives of this CSTF Patient Moving and Handling Level 2 training course are to:

• To provide a clear understanding of the legislation regarding moving and handling,
• To help learners understand the risks of poor practice,
• To provide an awareness of recommended ergonomic techniques to minimise manual handling injuries in practice, and
• To inform learners how to carry out manual handling tasks safely.

On completion of this online CSTF Patient Moving and Handling Level 2, learners will:

Level 1: All staff, including unpaid and voluntary staff

• Be able to recognise manual handling risk factors and how injuries can occur
• Understand employers and employees’ responsibilities under relevant national Health & Safety legislation including most recent versions of the Manual Handling Operation Regulations
• Understand their responsibilities under local organisational policies for Moving and Handling
• Know where additional advice and information can be sought relating to Moving and Handling issues
• Be able to use an ergonomic approach to manual handling and other work tasks leading to improved working posture
• Understand the principles of good back care to promote general musculoskeletal health
• Understand the principles of safer handling
• Know the factors to be included in undertaking a dynamic risk assessment before initiating a moving and handling activity
• Understand how the organisation uses its risk management processes to inform safe systems of work
• Be able to choose suitable risk control strategies, resources and support available to facilitate good practice following a risk assessment appropriate to the staff member’s role.

Level 2: Those staff groups, including unpaid and voluntary staff, whose role involves patient handling activities

Patient handling staff in addition to the learning outcomes listed for all employees, staff identified as being involved in patient handling activities will be required to meet the following additional outcomes. The learner will:

• Know how to provide patients with the best quality care using appropriate, safe and dignified moving and handling strategies
• Understand normal human movement patterns as a prerequisite to moving and handling people
• Understand how multidisciplinary team communication and risk assessments ensure the safe handling of patients.

Staff involved as part of their duties in the moving and handling of patients will require principle-based practical instruction on strategies and approaches for safely moving and handling patients, relevant to their role in the organisation:

• Chair moves and transfers
• Bed/trolley/table moves and transfers
• Mobility
• Managing the falling/fallen patient
• Use of equipment available within the organisation, e.g. profiling beds, patient hoists and slings, bathing aids, sliding and transferring systems, small handling aids to promote independence.

Training should be supported with practical instruction and competence assessment by workplace supervisors in the use of any mechanical aids provided for undertaking moving and handling tasks.

Download Full Course Description (PDF)

CSTF Patient Moving and Handling - Level 2 - Online Training Course - UKCSTF Aligned.