Failsafe Officer

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Milton Keynes seeks a Failsafe Officer to ensure timely patient appointments and enhance failsafe processes. The role involves collaboration with various clinical and operational teams, managing patient data, and delivering improvements in patient care. Candidates should have a relevant education, previous NHS experience, and strong communication skills. If you are looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare, this position offers a chance to significantly contribute to patient pathways and safety.

Qualifications

• Proven administration experience at a senior level.
• Previous NHS experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of RTT and CWT essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely patient appointments for treatment.
• Monitor and improve failsafe processes.
• Work closely with operational and clinical teams.

Skills

Ability to work to deadlines

Ability to prioritise own workload

Leadership and influencing skills

Strong analytical skills

Education

Educated to HNC/Equivalent Diploma or equivalent experience

ECDL or equivalent

Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent experience

Job description

Failsafe Officer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Closing date: 23 December 2025

Overview

In this role you will ensure every patient receives timely appointments for treatment and investigations, while monitoring and improving failsafe processes across the entire care pathway. You will work closely with operational, clinical and administrative teams, lead audits and implement service improvements, analysing data and escalating issues effectively.

Main Duties

• Maintain accurate Patient Tracking List (PTL), Request Queues and Long Waiter Spreadsheet databases for new and continuing care patient pathways.
• Provide appropriate information and escalations to clinicians and operational teams.
• Report potential Safety Incident Urgency (SUI) immediately and complete Radar incident form when required.
• Promote failsafe principles and train all staff involved in the patient pathway.
• Develop and deliver presentations to promote failsafe findings and safety across all staff and patient groups.
• Use non‑interfacing clinical software systems to track patients within the whole pathway and maintain accurate databases.
• Interrogate failsafe and patient data, recognise trends and inform operational and clinical teams in a timely manner.
• Present information to operational management team and clinicians, demonstrating areas of good practice and concern.
• Work autonomously, planning the schedule to meet failsafe processes and reports.
• Coordinate with all stakeholders in the pathway – GP practices, opticians, internal departments, clinicians and administration staff.
• Maintain stationary stock for operational teams and order replacements; place purchase orders for financial transactions.

Job Responsibilities

• Administration – accurate maintenance of PTL, Request Queues and Long Waiter Spreadsheet.
• Communication – promote failsafe principles, train staff, develop presentation skills.
• Information Technology – track patients, maintain databases, interrogate data, present findings.
• General – autonomous planning, seek support when necessary, coordinate across stakeholders, manage stationary stock and purchasing.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

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

Previous NHS Experience

• 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.
• Contribution to operational objectives.

Skills

• 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.
• Strong analytical skills.

Personal and People Development

• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Communication

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

Specific Requirements

• 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 requires submission of a Disclosure and Barring Service check to verify any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in 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.