Failsafe Officer - Ophthalmology, Band 4

Failsafe Officer - Ophthalmology, Band 4

The closing date is 30 September 2026

A second opportunity has arisen for a permanent Failsafe Officer within Ophthalmology at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust. The roles involves proactively managing patient wait times within the Ophthalmology Department to nationally agreed wait times for both new and follow-up patients. This will involve close liaison with consultants, patients, medical and nursing staff, patient access, appointments, support services and service managers and line management of a small administration team.

The post holder will be required to provide dedicated work on patient wait times within the Ophthalmology Department to nationally agreed wait times for both new and follow-up patients. This will involve close liaison with consultants, patients, medical and nursing staff, patient access, appointments, support services and service managers.

The post holder will also be required to line manage a small administration team.

The role will proactively manage patients on our follow-up waiting lists and will range from coordinating hospital appointments and ensuring non-admitted and admitted wait times are adhered to. The successful candidate will also be required to assist with the management of the New and 2WW patients.

The post holder will be expected to work without direct supervision and be able to work autonomously and may be required to make decisions under pressure. They will be expected to liaise and communicate as appropriate. As such, the post holder will need a flexible approach to ensure processes are implemented, adhered to, maintained and improved.

The successful applicant will need to be able to cope with the ever-changing demands of such a position in a large organisation and have a positive and proactive approach.

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Key Responsibilities

Proactively manage waiting times for individual patients to ensure national standards are not breached. Negotiate patient management arrangements with key staff.

Ensure the patients journey (both new and follow up) are processed in a timely and efficient manner and pro-actively escape issues in the patients pathway so that potential delays are resolved at the earliest opportunity.

Liaise with the central booking office, pre-operative assessment and the patient access team where necessary to ensure patient wait times are met.

To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients and their relatives.

To work closely with surgeons, nursing and other departmental colleagues to ensure capacity is maximised.

To work closely with the Ophthalmology Coordinator to help maintain clinical rotas where required and cover duties when the Coordinator is on leave.

If appropriate, to manage a nominated team of administration & clerical staff.

To provide relevant information to key staff regarding patient waits and appointments.

To monitor and validate RTT PTLs, highlighting concerns or issues to the Lead Coordinator, Assistant General Manager and General Manager.

To liaise closely with the Validation team to support patient tracking from referral to treatment and for follow up, providing updates regarding admission and alerting him/her of any problems that may result in a delay in the patients treatment.

To lead the departments response at regular Check and Challenge meetings, providing key information on patient waits.

To liaise with support services to ensure timely…