Failsafe Officer

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Failsafe Officer to ensure timely appointments and improve processes within the Ophthalmology department. The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage data compliance effectively. Key responsibilities involve leading audits, supporting clinical teams, and enhancing patient care quality while collaborating with various departments. Experience within the NHS and proficiency in IT systems is essential for success in this role. This is a permanent, full-time position based in Milton Keynes.

Qualifications

• Educated to HNC/Equivalent Diploma or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent experience.
• Previous NHS experience with knowledge of RTT and CWT.

Responsibilities

• Ensure patient safety and pathway integrity.
• Maintain accurate tracking systems and escalate risks.
• Lead quality assurance audits.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Office application proficiency

Education

HNC/Equivalent Diploma

ECDL or equivalent

Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

Failsafe Officer
Department: Ophthalmology
Band 5, 37.50 hours per week

In this role, you’ll ensure that every patient receives timely appointments for treatment and investigations, while monitoring and improving failsafe processes across the entire care pathway.

You’ll work closely with operational, clinical, and administrative teams, lead audits, and implement service improvements. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to analyse data and elevate issues effectively are key.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact on patient care and support the development of efficient, high-quality ophthalmology services.

As a Failsafe Officer, you’ll ensure patient safety and pathway integrity by maintaining accurate tracking systems, monitoring compliance, and escalating risks promptly. You’ll lead quality assurance audits, support clinical teams in implementing improvements, and promote best practice through training and clear communication. The role involves analysing data, identifying trends, and presenting findings to operational and clinical teams. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams are essential. Proficiency in IT systems and confident reporting skills will help you succeed in this role.

Interview date: 31st December 2025.

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

"- NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%

The Ophthalmology Failsafe Officer will work closely with the Operational and Clinical teams to provide a highly effective and efficient service delivery for the Directorate.

The post holder will have an operational role for all administrative functions with additional responsibilities, working under the direction of the Operational team.

The post holder will have a key role in aiding to deliver the operational plan and supporting the Services developing strategies, on top of ensuring that all patients requiring treatment and further investigations / interventions receives timely appointments, as well as investigating any reasons why patients have not attended and to elevate appropriately.

The post holder will work closely with the Operational and Clinical teams to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of the services.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH.

Details

Date posted: 17 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 430‑SURG25‑685A‑A

Job location: W72057 LC Ophthalmology Theatres (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD

Job responsibilities

Administration

To be responsible for accurately maintaining the Patient Tracking List (PTL), Request Queues and Long Waiter Spreadsheet databases for new and continuing care patient pathways to ensure that every patient referred has a known position in their pathway.

To provide appropriate information and escalations where necessary to clinicians and operational teams.

To report immediately any potential SUI and complete Radar incident form after discussion if appropriate.

Communication

To promote principles of failsafe and train all staff involved in the patient pathway to ensure understanding of the processes is maintained.

To develop presentation skills to promote failsafe findings and safety across all staff and patient groups.

Information Technology

To use a number of non‑interfacing clinical software systems to track patients within the whole pathway.

To maintain accurate databases to check for completeness and accuracy of data entered.

To interrogate failsafe and patient data, recognise trends and inform the operational and clinical team in a timely manner.

To present information to the Operational Management team and clinicians to demonstrate areas of good practice, areas of concern and any other information that is captured.

To develop concise and consistent reporting skills.

General

To work autonomously planning schedule to ensure that failsafe processes and reports are met.

To know limitations and seek support from senior team as required.

To work closely with all stakeholders in the pathway from GP practices, opticians, internal departments, clinicians and administration staff involved in delivery of care.

Responsible for maintaining stationary stock for operational teams and ordering replacements.

Placing orders and raising Purchase Orders (PO) for purchasing for financial transactions.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge (Essential)

• Educated to HNC/Equivalent Diploma/equivalent experience
• ECDL or equivalent
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent experience
• Change management experience
• Ability to develop and deliver action plans to deliver the NHS and/or local agendas
• Knowledge of financial processes

Previous NHS experience (Essential)

• Previous NHS experience
• RTT and CWT knowledge
• Working knowledge of office computer applications
• Proven administration experience at a senior level
• Previous experience of managing a department or group of staff
• Proven track record of engagement and influence to deliver targets
• Thorough understanding of ophthalmology pathways

Desirable

• Contribution to operational objectives

Skills (Essential)

• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to prioritise own workload
• Ability to adapt to fluctuating deadlines and workloads
• Ability to work in a structured methodical manner
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Flexible approach
• Leadership and influencing skills
• Undertake light physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking
• Standard keyboard skills
• Strong analytical skills

Personal and people development (Essential)

• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Communication (Essential)

• Ability to communicate effectively with all staff groups
• Ability to influence and engage others effectively

Specific requirements (Essential)

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations

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.

Employer details

Employer name: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: W72057 LC Ophthalmology Theatres (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD

Employer's website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh