Safe Patient Handling Course Overview

The manual lifting, moving, and repositioning of patients represents the single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries among healthcare workers. Nurses, nursing assistants, physical therapists, emergency medical personnel, and other direct care providers face daily exposure to forceful exertions, awkward postures, and repetitive motions that cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, healthcare workers suffer MSDs at rates significantly higher than workers in construction and manufacturing, with nursing assistants experiencing the highest rates of back injuries among all occupations. These injuries lead to chronic pain, disability, lost workdays, workers’ compensation claims exceeding $20 billion annually, and high staff turnover that disrupts patient care.

This course informs healthcare workers on safe handling and lifting techniques to reduce and prevent injuries to both workers and patients. Employees learn evidence-based patient handling strategies including proper use of mechanical lift equipment, lateral transfer devices, and positioning aids. The course is updated with the VHA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms (2014 revision) and the NAON Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms for the Adult Orthopaedic Patient, both available as downloadable training resources for learners.

What You’ll Learn

✓ Define ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their impact on healthcare workers

✓ Identify patient handling risk factors including patient weight, level of assistance, environmental constraints

✓ Explain the importance of job planning before attempting patient lifts and transfers

✓ Apply techniques for safe patient handling using mechanical lift devices and transfer aids

✓ Follow decision-making algorithms for selecting appropriate lift and transfer methods

✓ Recognize the benefits of comprehensive safe patient handling programs for workers and patients

✓ Reduce risk factors through proper equipment use and ergonomic work practices

Safe Patient Handling Course Content

Lesson 1: Introduction and Objectives

Scope of musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare, statistics on back injuries and overexertion injuries among nurses and nursing assistants, consequences of patient handling injuries (chronic pain, disability, lost workdays, turnover), course objectives, and overview of safe patient handling principles

Lesson 2: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Definition of ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and spinal discs, common MSDs in healthcare, risk factors for MSDs, patient handling as primary cause of MSDs, cumulative trauma from repeated exposures, early warning signs of MSDs

Lesson 3: Planning a Patient Move

Importance of pre-move assessment, patient assessment factors, environmental assessment, available equipment, team coordination and communication, “no lift” policies and manual lift restrictions, when to use mechanical lifts vs. manual assistance

Lesson 4: Lifting and Transferring Techniques

VHA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms, NAON algorithms for orthopaedic patients, vertical lifts using mechanical lifts, lateral transfers using slide boards and friction-reducing devices, repositioning in bed using slide sheets and draw sheets, ambulation assistance using gait belts and walkers, safe techniques for manual assistance when appropriate, team lifts and communication protocols, safe use of slings and positioning devices

Lesson 5: The Benefits of Safe Patient Handling

Benefits to healthcare workers, benefits to patients, organizational benefits, return on investment for safe patient handling programs, creating a culture of safety

See Our Courses In Action

Preview sample courses to see our format, content quality, and interactive features before you purchase.

Who Should Take Safe Patient Handling

👩‍⚕️ Nurses and Nursing Assistants

Direct care staff performing frequent patient lifts and repositioning

🏥 Physical and Occupational Therapists

Rehabilitation staff assisting patients with mobility and transfers

🚑 Emergency Medical Services

Paramedics and EMTs lifting patients from various locations

🦴 Orthopaedic and Surgical Staff

Personnel handling post-operative patients with mobility restrictions

🏚️ Long-Term Care Staff

Nursing home and assisted living workers caring for residents with limited mobility

👴 Home Health Aides

Home care workers performing patient handling in residential settings

Certificate & Compliance

Certificate & Compliance

Upon successful completion, learners receive an official certificate of completion documenting their safe patient handling training for OSHA compliance records, facility safety programs, and state safe patient handling law requirements.

The course includes assessments that verify understanding of ergonomic risk factors, patient assessment procedures, proper equipment use, and safe lifting techniques. Certificates are generated immediately and can be downloaded or printed for employee files and compliance documentation.

Supports Compliance With:

  • OSHA ergonomics guidelines
  • State safe patient handling laws (11 states with legislation)
  • ANA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility standards
  • Joint Commission workplace safety standards
  • CMS Quality Measures (reducing worker injuries)
  • VHA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program requirements
Safe Patient Handling Certificate of Completion

Choose How Your Team Learns

🖥️ Use our ELMS

Immediate access with zero setup

  • Fast & Easy Setup

  • Automatic progress tracking and reporting

  • Built-in certificate generation

  • No technical expertise required

  • Automated Course Recertification

📦 Use Your Own LMS

License SCORM files for your system

  • Integrate with your existing platform

  • Maintain centralized training records

  • Compatible with all major LMS platforms

  • Full technical specifications provided

  • Dedicated support included

Why Choose Evolve?

🎯

Expert-Developed Content

Courses feature realistic scenarios, engaging multimedia, and knowledge checks to reinforce learning. Content developed by compliance experts ensures accuracy and relevance.

📱

Accessible Anywhere

Complete training anytime, anywhere on PCs, tablets, or smartphones. Your team can learn at their own pace without disrupting daily operations or scheduling conflicts.

🎬

Engaging & Effective

Scenario-based learning & interactive elements promote retention better than lecture-style courses

📊

Trackable and Reportable

Monitor completion rates, track progress, and generate compliance reports. Maintain detailed records for audits and regulatory requirements.

💰

Transparent Pricing

Simple per-seat pricing with no hidden fees, surprise charges, or mandatory bundles. Volume discounts make compliance training affordable for organizations of any size.

⚡

Easy Implementation

Begin training your team immediately – no lengthy implementation or waiting periods

📈

Scalable Solutions

Whether training 5 employees or 500, our platform scales to meet your organization’s needs. Custom course bundles available to address your specific training requirements and budget.

✓

Consistent Quality Training

Every learner receives the same high-quality, up-to-date content. Standardized training ensures your entire organization maintains consistent compliance knowledge.

💬

Ongoing Support

Dedicated customer support available to assist with questions, technical issues, or training customization needs.

PROTECT YOUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS FROM PATIENT HANDLING INJURIES

Give Your Team the Skills to Lift Safely and Prevent Chronic Back Pain

Patient handling injuries don’t have to be an accepted cost of healthcare work. Comprehensive training on ergonomic assessment, mechanical lift devices, and evidence-based handling algorithms can dramatically reduce musculoskeletal injuries while improving patient safety and dignity.

Trusted by hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and healthcare facilities committed to worker and patient safety

Browse More Compliance Training

Active Shooter Response

Anti-Bribery & FCPA Training

Biohazardous Waste Handling, Storage, & Disposal

Chemical Safety

Compressed Gas Safety

Cultural Competency in Healthcare

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Driver Safety

Drug & Alcohol Free Workplace

Electrical Safety Training for Healthcare

Emergency Response Plan

Environmental Cleaning: Exam Rooms

Ethics in the Workplace

Flammable Liquid Safety

Formaldehyde Safety

Hand Hygiene

Hazard Communications for Healthcare

HIPAA Privacy & Security Awareness

HIPAA Privacy & Security for Business Associates

HIPAA Privacy & Security for Covered Entities

HIPAA Privacy and Security for Students

Incident Reporting in Healthcare

Infection Control

Laboratory Safety

Laser Safety

Latex Allergy

Lock Out/Tag Out: Control of Hazardous Energy

Medicare Fraud and Abuse

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens for Healthcare Workers

Patient Abuse & Neglect

Patient Rights

Personal Protective Equipment

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination for Employees

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination for Employees – California

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination for Managers

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination for Supervisors: California

Preventing Needlestick Injuries

Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees

Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees – Illinois

Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees – New York

Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers

Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers – New York

Preventing Sexual Misconduct (Healthcare)

Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings

Radiation Safety

Safe Patient Handling

Shipping Infectious Substances

Slips, Trips, & Falls

Texas Privacy Law (HB300) & HIPAA Compliance

Tuberculosis Protection

Workplace Ergonomics Training