We’re really pleased to be able to add another fantastic trainer to our rapidly expanding team. Chris Ferguson is an experienced, passionate and motivated trainer with a wealth of experience in training Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists in the installation and safe use of this equipment such as hoist, slings, stand aids and rota stands.
After working in numerous positions the 49-year-old started working for Tees Community Equipment Service (TCES) in 1994. This company specialises in all types of patient handling equipment and supplies this equipment to all NHS authorities and social care establishments throughout the Teesside area.
Chris, felt he needed more of a challenge and was successfully appointed as a Specialised Therapy Assistant working in A&E for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in 2009. The skills he had acquired in his previous role were brought to the forefront when completing all patient handling tasks and giving sound advice when using all patient handling equipment. Chris now works within the Occupational Health Department as a Health and Wellbeing advisor and has gained various qualifications in Health and Social care (Teesside University), teaching (PTTLS), Ergonomics (Loughborough University).
Chris is responsible for training 6000 staff in the safe techniques of manual handling using various equipment to ensure patients and staff are working as safe as possible. He is a member of the National Back Exchange and uses this regulatory body to update his own skills on a regular basis. He will soon be applying to become an advanced member due to his qualifications and be in a position to offer consultancy with all matters arising with manual handling.
Due to his qualifications, he also has been trained in completing Display Screen Equipment assessments (DSE) and can offer training to managers and other staff members of how to complete this assessment.
His training has a fun, relaxed and interactive atmosphere to ensure staff with different learning styles will benefit in achieving their own personal goals.