Job summary
Interview will be held on 8th Sept 2025
Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist? Do you have an interest in staff wellbeing? Are you looking for an opportunity to lead a team?
We have a fantastic opportunity for a registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to lead our small ergonomics team on a one year contract.
Our ergonomics service aims to reduce and prevent musculoskeletal injuries within our staff group and sit as part of the wider Health and Wellbeing Service. This role is an excellent opportunity to impact and influence staff wellbeing and direct patient care.
You will deliver manual handling education and training for all levels of staff and provide specialist manual handling advice and support to clinical and non-clinical teams as well as conducting ergonomic assessments for staff. In addition to this, you will lead the team, making improvements to processes and leading on policy updates.
This role is a full time Band 7 Senior Ergonomic Advisor (Manual Handling Advisor). The office base for the role is at St Marks Hospital but you will be travelling across our Berkshire Healthcare sites and there is some flexibility to work from home when the service allows.
Berkshire Healthcare is committed to compassionate care and was recently rated 'Outstanding' by CQC. It offers the full range of mental health and community services, and psychologists contribute to these as integrated members of all teams.
Main duties of the job
-
Undertaking advanced assessment of difficult and complex workplace issues. Subsequently, implement appropriate and evidence-based equipment provision, in order to reduce the risk of harm to patients, their carer's and staff.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
-
You will work autonomously and must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to influence and motivate others, and possess good planning and organisational skills.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact us via steph.moakes@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
-
You will work autonomously and must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to influence and motivate others, and possess good planning and organisational skills.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact us via steph.moakes@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Degree level education or equivalent experience
- Post graduate qualification in Manual Handling/biomechanics
- Professional Clinical qualification i.e. Physiotherapist, Nurse occupational Therapist
- Registered Health Care Professional eg registered with HPC or NMC
Desirable
- Qualification in Occupational Safety and Health
- Evidence of a recognised teaching certificate/qualification
- Member of the National Back Exchange
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Maintenance of professional standards
- Updating of health and safety knowledge
- Evidence of current CPD portfolio
Previous Experience
Essential
- Background in physiotherapy, manual handling, ergonomics or related healthcare profession.
- Experience in training and practical demonstration
Desirable
- Experience of working in an advisory ergonomic/manual handling role within a range of healthcare / social settings
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- An engaging and competent trainer and presenter
- A proven track record of innovation and problem solving
- Sound knowledge of all legislation pertinent to manual handling
- Sound knowledge of current guidance/strategy from DOH, RCN, NBE
Desirable
- A practical, hands-on approach to leading a team of people
- Knowledge of specialist equipment required when manual handling in clinical practice
- Budget management Understanding of NHS structures
Additional Requirements
Desirable
- Car Driver and access to a car
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Degree level education or equivalent experience
- Post graduate qualification in Manual Handling/biomechanics
- Professional Clinical qualification i.e. Physiotherapist, Nurse occupational Therapist
- Registered Health Care Professional eg registered with HPC or NMC
Desirable
- Qualification in Occupational Safety and Health
- Evidence of a recognised teaching certificate/qualification
- Member of the National Back Exchange
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Maintenance of professional standards
- Updating of health and safety knowledge
- Evidence of current CPD portfolio
Previous Experience
Essential
- Background in physiotherapy, manual handling, ergonomics or related healthcare profession.
- Experience in training and practical demonstration
Desirable
- Experience of working in an advisory ergonomic/manual handling role within a range of healthcare / social settings
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- An engaging and competent trainer and presenter
- A proven track record of innovation and problem solving
- Sound knowledge of all legislation pertinent to manual handling
- Sound knowledge of current guidance/strategy from DOH, RCN, NBE
Desirable
- A practical, hands-on approach to leading a team of people
- Knowledge of specialist equipment required when manual handling in clinical practice
- Budget management Understanding of NHS structures
Additional Requirements
Desirable
- Car Driver and access to a car
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
