Who it’s for

This course is designed for anyone who moves or handles patients or service users as part of their role — nurses, healthcare assistants, care workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, support staff and anyone working in hospitals, residential care, home care, disability services or community healthcare settings.

There are no formal prerequisites. Learners should be physically able to take part in the practical elements of the course, which include a range of patient handling techniques.

What you’ll learn

• Legal framework for manual and patient handling in Ireland
• Musculoskeletal anatomy and common causes of injury
• Biomechanics, ergonomics and risk assessment
• Principles of safe lifting and movement
• Log rolling and repositioning in bed
• Assisting patients to sit up and move to the edge of the bed
• Turning and moving patients using sliding sheets
• Helping patients to stand and transferring from bed to chair
• Managing falling patients safely
• Safe use of hoists and slings

Duration & assessment

The course takes approximately 4 hours. Learners are assessed on their practical competence across the full range of patient handling techniques, and must demonstrate safe, correct technique in all movements before certification is issued.

Format

Instructor-led, on-site at your facility. Practical training is hands-on throughout, working with the equipment and environments your staff use every day. Training delivered in English.

Certification & renewal

On successful completion, participants receive a UFAS Patient Moving and Handling Certificate of Competence, valid for 2 years.

The course is designed to align with Irish health and safety requirements and relevant healthcare training expectations. For healthcare and regulated care settings, the course supports staff training records and HIQA compliance requirements. Please note: UFAS does not claim HIQA accreditation or recognition — the certificate confirms completion and demonstrated competence.

On-site, nationwide

We deliver patient moving and handling training at your facility anywhere in Ireland. Bringing training to your workplace means your team practises in their own environment, using the equipment and handling aids they rely on every day.

Group, multi-site and healthcare-provider packages are available. Call 01 6991126 or email info@ufas.ie to discuss your requirements.