Ophthalmology Failsafe Officer (XN04)

Joinone of the UKs largest and most forward-thinking NHS Trusts in a role thatdirectly protects patient safety and improves clinical outcomes. Based at StJamess University Hospital, the Ophthalmology Failsafe Officer sits withinthe Ophthalmology Service and plays a vital part in ensuring no patient islost to follow-up across high-risk pathways.

Thisis a key position within our failsafe and patient tracking workflows,supporting critical services such as medical retina and glaucoma. Youll workclosely with clinicians, operational managers and administrative teams tomonitor pathways, identify gaps, and take proactive action to safeguardpatients. Your work will directly support quality improvement, serviceefficiency and compliance with national standards.

Werelooking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, methodical and detail-driven
• Confident working with data and patient tracking systems
• Proactive and solutions-focused
• A clear communicator who can work across multidisciplinary teams
• Passionateabout patient safety and continuous improvement

Ifyou thrive in a role where precision matters and your work makes a tangibledifference to patient care, this is your opportunity to be part of acollaborative, innovative team. Help us strengthen our pathways, enhancesafety, and ensure every ophthalmology patient receives the timely care theydeserve.

Main duties of the job

TheOphthalmology Failsafe Officer plays a critical role in safeguarding patientsby ensuring no one is lost to follow-up across high-risk ophthalmologypathways.

Youwill be part of the Ophthalmology administrative and operational team at StJamess University Hospital, working closely with consultants, clinical nursespecialists, service managers, booking teams and data teams. The role sits atthe heart of patient tracking and pathway management.

Keyresponsibilities include:

• Proactivelymonitoring patient tracking lists (PTLs) and failsafe reports across servicessuch as medical retina and glaucoma
• Identifyingpatients who are overdue or at risk of delay and taking timely action toresolve this
• Liaisingwith clinical and booking teams to arrange appropriate follow-up or elevateconcerns
• Maintainingaccurate records and ensuring data quality across multiple systems
• Supportingaudits, reporting and service improvement initiatives
• Contributingto the development and refinement of failsafe processes and workflows

Therole involves managing a high-volume caseload, regularly reviewing largepatient cohorts, and working to clear backlogs within agreed timeframes. Youwill be expected to work methodically, prioritise effectively, and meetdefined turnaround targets to ensure patients are tracked and rebookedpromptly.

About us

OurOphthalmology Service is part of one of the largest and most respected acuteTrusts in the UK, delivering specialist eye care to a diverse and growingpopulation across Leeds and the wider region. Based primarily at St JamessUniversity Hospital, our department supports high-volume, high-impactservices including medical retina, glaucoma, and urgent eye care.

Weare a close-knit, supportive team made up of consultants, specialist nurses,optometrists, technicians, administrative colleagues and operationalmanagers. While our workload is fast-paced and clinically significant, ourculture is collaborative, respectful and improvement-focused. We take pridein working together to solve problems, protect patient safety andcontinuously strengthen our pathways.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

Thisis more than an administrative post it is a patient safetycriticalposition where your work has a direct impact on protecting patients sight.

Makea Measurable Difference

Youwill play a central role in ensuring no patient is lost to follow-up acrosshigh-risk ophthalmology pathways, particularly within medical retina andglaucoma services. By proactively identifying delays and resolving pathwaygaps, you will directly contribute to safer care and improved outcomes.

Beat the Heart of Service Improvement

Thisrole is embedded within our failsafe and patient tracking workflows,contributing to ongoing pathway redesign, backlog reduction and qualityimprovement projects. You will work alongside senior operational managers,consultants and service leads, giving you real visibility and influencewithin the department.

WorkWithin a Leading Teaching Trust

Aspart of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the largest in the UK, youwill engage with:

• Consultantsand Clinical Leads in specialist ophthalmology services
• OperationalService Managers and CSU leadership teams
• Booking,data and performance teams
• Regionalreferral pathways and external providers where required

Thisexposure provides excellent insight into large-scale NHS service delivery andgovernance.

DevelopSpecialist Knowledge

Youwill gain in-depth understanding of:

• High-riskophthalmology pathways
• Nationalaccess and waiting time standards
• Datavalidation, reporting and governance processes

Thisrole is ideal for someone looking to strengthen their expertise inoperational management, data quality or pathway coordination within aclinical specialty.

ARole That Values Your Skills

Weare particularly keen to attract applicants who demonstrate:

• Strongalignment with NHS core values
• Analyticalthinking and confidence working with complex data
• Highlevels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Professionalcuriosity and a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Resilienceand focus in a high-volume, safety-critical environment

ChallengeWith Purpose

Therole requires sustained concentration, management of large patient cohorts,and sensitive communication when resolving delays. While the workload can bedemanding, it is purposeful every action you take supports timely care andprotects patients from avoidable harm.

Ifyou are motivated by responsibility, precision and meaningful impact, this isa unique opportunity to build specialist experience while contributing to oneof the Trusts most vital clinical services.

Person Specification Skills & Behaviours

• Flexible working attitude.
• Clear and effective communication.
• Ability to self-reflect, carry out tasks of own job and identify what s/he needs to learn to able to do current job better.
• Evidence of ability to manage stressful situations including distressed patients and relatives
• Flexible approach to the planning and co-ordination of patient pathways to ensure maximum use of clinical time.
• Can work under pressure.

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a customer/patient focussed environment, ideally within the NHS in a similar setting
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with experience of dealing with patient queries, concerns and anxiety in a reassuring manner.
• Experience of managing / co-ordinating patient pathways.
• Understand and practices the principles of confidentiality at all times
• Knowledge of national targets with respect to Ophthalmology patient pathways.
• Have a sound understanding of NHS wide initiatives and experience of responding positively to ensure local implementation.
• Previous experience of working within the NHS

Skills & Behaviours

• Flexible working attitude.
• Clear and effective communication.
• Ability to self-reflect, carry out tasks of own job and identify what s/he needs to learn to able to do current job better.
• Evidence of ability to manage stressful situations including distressed patients and relatives
• Flexible approach to the planning and co-ordination of patient pathways to ensure maximum use of clinical time.
• Can work under pressure.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 within healthcare or experience equivalent
• Excellent word processing skills / qualifications (ECDL or equivalent)
• Demonstrable evidence of further (relevant) academic qualifications
• GCSE or equivalent which demonstrates competency in literacy

Other Criteria

• Data analysis and production on reports against performance targets
• IT literate, working knowledge of Microsoft Office including excel.

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.