Safe Patient Handling
Last Updated 04/2026
English
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Finish in
35 min! Run Time
35 min! Run Time
Made for for
Employees
only
Employees
only
Certificate
of Completion
of Completion
What you'll learn
Define ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs.
Identify patient handling risk factors and ways to reduce these risk factors.
Explain the importance of job planning.
Recall techniques for safe patient handling.
Recall the decision-making process for lifts and transfers.
Explain the benefits of safe patient handling programs.
Description
Manual lifting, moving, and repositioning of patients is the single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries among healthcare workers — and the consequences can be severe, ranging from chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders to career-ending injuries. Nurses, aides, physical therapists, emergency workers, and other clinical staff face these hazards daily, often in time-pressured situations where proper technique can be difficult to prioritize without adequate training. This course provides healthcare workers with the knowledge and practical techniques needed to reduce injury risk for both themselves and their patients during handling and mobility tasks.
Learners will explore the principles of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders, identify patient handling risk factors, and learn how to mitigate them through effective job planning and the correct application of lifting and transfer techniques. The course covers the decision-making process for safe lifts and transfers and details the broader benefits of implementing a formal safe patient handling program at the organizational level. This course is updated to incorporate 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 to learners as downloadable training resources.
Learners will explore the principles of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders, identify patient handling risk factors, and learn how to mitigate them through effective job planning and the correct application of lifting and transfer techniques. The course covers the decision-making process for safe lifts and transfers and details the broader benefits of implementing a formal safe patient handling program at the organizational level. This course is updated to incorporate 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 to learners as downloadable training resources.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Objectives
2. Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
3. Planning a Patient Move
4. Lifting and Transferring Techniques
5. The Benefits of Safe Patient Handling
System Requirements
See System Requirements in the Coggno Knowledge Base
Author
Our Story: From Service Members to Service Providers
Evolve eLearning Solutions started in 2003 with a simple observation: compliance training didn’t have to be painful. Founded by veterans of the United States Marine Corps and Navy, we brought a service-first mentality to an industry that often felt like an afterthought.
In the military, training isn’t optional—it’s how you stay mission-ready. We saw organizations struggling with the same challenge: keeping teams trained, compliant, and confident without derailing daily operations. The solutions available were either overpriced, overcomplicated, or both.
So, we built something different. Training that respects people’s time. Support that actually solves problems. Pricing that makes sense for real budgets. No enterprise sales pitches, no feature bloat—just effective compliance training delivered by people who understand what it means to serve.
Two decades later, that approach hasn’t changed. We’ve grown from a handful of courses to a comprehensive library covering OSHA, HIPAA, HR/EEO, and more. But we’re still the same team that picks up the phone, remembers your name, and treats your compliance challenges like they matter—because they do.
Safe Patient Handling
Frequently Asked Questions
Manual lifting, moving, and repositioning of patients is identified as the single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries among healthcare workers.
Consequences range from chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders to career-ending injuries, spanning both short-term strain and long-term disability.
Nurses, aides, physical therapists, and emergency workers are named as facing these handling hazards daily, often under time pressure that works against proper technique.
It starts with the principles of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders, building the reasoning behind the handling techniques taught later in the course.
Through effective job planning combined with the correct application of handling techniques, rather than technique alone without any planning beforehand.
This course is designed for employees who need to complete Safe Patient Handling training
Yes. This course is designed to meet applicable federal requirements and commonly mandated state standards. Always confirm specific state or industry requirements with your local regulations.
The course takes approximately 35 minutes to complete and can be paused and resumed at any time.
Yes. Learners receive a downloadable certificate upon successful completion, which can be used for compliance records and audits.
Yes. You can assign this course to individuals or groups using Coggno’s LMS, or purchase multiple seats for your team.
Yes. This course can be exported for delivery in most learning management systems (SCORM compatible).
Yes. The course is fully self-paced and available 24/7.
Yes. This course includes a knowledge check to reinforce learning and verify completion.
Learners have lifetime access from the date of purchase.
Yes. A preview is available so you can review the course format and content before purchasing.
Yes. Content is reviewed and updated as regulations and best practices change.
Yes. This course is available for free with an active Prime Subscription.
Yes. Refund requests can be submitted within 30 days of purchase.
Learners will explore the principles of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders, identify patient handling risk factors, and learn how to mitigate them through effective job planning and the correct application of lifting and transfer techniques. The course covers the decision-making process for safe lifts and transfers and details the broader benefits of implementing a formal safe patient handling program at the organizational level. This course is updated to incorporate 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 to learners as downloadable training resources.