Job summary
- Main area
- Health and Safety
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 242-5286
- Employer
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ladybridge Hall
- Town
- Bolton
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 02/11/2026
Employer heading
Manual Handling Advisor
Band 6
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria at each stage of the selection process. We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, working pattern, caring responsibilities trade union activity or political beliefs-or any other grounds.
At NWAS, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and anti-racist workplace where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. Our Anti-racist Statement sets out our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation and ensures these principles are embedded throughout our recruitment practices.
Our workforce is currently under-represented by people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. By building a workforce that better reflects the diverse communities we serve, we can provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place, every time.
The Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a large number of applications are received.
Due to the volume of applications received for our advertisements, we will only contact those candidates shortlisted for interview via email; we aim to do this within 4 weeks of the closing date. If you do not receive the email, it will be that you have not been shortlisting on this occasion. When applying for this position, it is essential that you read the job description and person specification fully. Please use the supporting information space to demonstrate your ability to undertake this role, drawing on your skills, knowledge and experience.
We also offers a range of excellent benefits including a pension scheme, up to 33 days Annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), training and development opportunities, access to NHS discounts, Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, NHS Mortgages and Childcare Vouchers.
Job overview
Are you passionate about improving workplace safety, reducing injuries, and making a real difference to staff wellbeing?
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Manual Handling Advisor to join our Health and Safety team. This is an exciting opportunity for a manual handling, ergonomics, physiotherapy, or occupational health professional to influence practice across one of the UK's largest ambulance services.
Manual handling is one of the most significant causes of workplace injury within healthcare. In this specialist role, you will help shape and improve the Trust's approach to manual handling and ergonomic risk management, supporting safer ways of working for our people while helping to ensure the safe movement and handling of patients.
Working closely with operational teams, managers and key stakeholders, you will play a vital role in reducing musculoskeletal injuries, improving staff wellbeing, supporting compliance with legislation, and driving continuous improvement across the organisation.If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can make a tangible difference to the safety, health and wellbeing of colleagues across the North West, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As the Trust's specialist Manual Handling Advisor, you will provide expert advice, guidance and support on all aspects of manual handling, patient handling and ergonomic risk management.
You will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Trust's manual handling arrangements, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, national guidance and best practice.
The role will involve:
- Providing specialist advice to managers and staff on manual handling and ergonomic risk management.
- Supporting the development and review of manual handling policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
- Undertaking manual handling and ergonomic risk assessments across clinical, operational and non-clinical environments.
- Investigating manual handling incidents, near misses and musculoskeletal injuries, identifying root causes and recommending effective control measures.
- Analysing incident trends and performance data to identify emerging risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Supporting the evaluation, procurement and introduction of equipment and technologies designed to reduce manual handling risks.
- Working collaboratively with Education and Training colleagues to support the development of effective manual handling training programmes.
- Promoting a positive safety culture through coaching, engagement and continuous improvement initiatives.
Working for our organisation
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.
Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.
We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.
Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.
We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role offers significant autonomy whilst working collaboratively within the Health and Safety team and under the direction of the Senior Health and Safety Advisor.
The successful candidate will be required to travel independently across the North West and adopt a flexible approach to working arrangements to meet operational needs.
The Manual Handling Advisor acts as the Trust's specialist lead for manual handling and ergonomic risk management. The post holder will work with managers, operational teams and key stakeholders to develop and maintain robust systems that support safer patient handling and reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
You will provide expert advice on compliance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, support investigations into manual handling incidents and injuries, undertake specialist assessments, and contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at improving staff wellbeing and reducing musculoskeletal disorders.
The role requires excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills, together with the ability to build effective working relationships across a diverse operational environment. You will be expected to identify areas for improvement, develop practical solutions, support behavioural change and provide assurance that manual handling risks are being effectively managed.
This is a unique opportunity to influence practice across a large and complex healthcare organisation, helping to protect our people and ensure they can continue delivering exceptional care to the communities we serve.
Visa sponsorship is not possible for this role for either candidates or existing employees. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for Skilled Worker/ Health and Care Worker visas as set out at gov.uk. Graduate visa holders should have no expectation of long-term employment through sponsorship. Additionally, your visa conditions and validity period must allow you to work in the role question and for a suitable period to allow training and execution without requiring sponsorship.
Please ensure you have read the full Job Description and Person Specification before applying.
Person specification
Skills / Competencies
Essential criteria
- Communicate succinctly, clearly and accurately using a plain English approach, both verbally and in writing.
- Effective team member who is able to relate to colleagues at all levels across our large multi-site organisation with tact and diplomacy.
- Awareness of role boundaries/ limitations of practice and aware when to ask for guidance.
- Follow written instructions and ensure that services you provide are in line with standard processes and good practice, showing attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to write high quality reports.
- Ability to apply creative thought to problem solving.
- Ability to engage and motivate colleagues.
- Ability to work productively and autonomously.
- Ability to analyse and present complex, sensitive and contentious data.
- Ability to provide information in a helpful and polite manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage situations in a sensitive manner.
Qualification and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Have or be working towards a professional / recognised qualification in Ergonomics, Physiotherapy, Manual Handling, Occupational Health or related discipline.
- Have or be willing to obtain a recognised Manual Handling Trainer qualification.
- Demonstrable commitment to continued professional development.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience of working in a healthcare or similar setting with significant manual handling / moving and handling risks.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience of providing specialist manual handling advice.
- Demonstrable experience of undertaking manual handling risk assessments.
- Demonstrable experience of investigating workplace accidents or incidents.
- Demonstrable experience of developing procedures, guidance and safe systems of work.
- Demonstrable experience analysing performance and incident data.
Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Working together – demonstrate collaborative and inclusive working and challenge behaviour that is not inclusive or acceptable.
Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria
- Prioritise own workload and take responsibility for delivering results within agreed timescales and standards with changing priorities and pressures.
- Use initiative to look out for issues at work, acting quickly and calmy to focus on finding a solution.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
- Demonstrate strong influencing and negotiation skills.
- Ability to be innovative and adapt practice.
- Ability to adapt to constant change.
- Ability to design and recommend improvements/ change to improve systems and processes.
Qualification and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Thorough knowledge of Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Relevant HSE guidance, NHS patient handling principles, Musculoskeletal risk management.
Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Being at our best – professional and adaptable and takes pride in work.
- Making a difference – act with compassion, kindness and integrity towards everyone.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Liz Thompson
- Job title
- Head of Health and Safety
- Email address
- [email protected]
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