About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Heavitree Hospital for a Fail Safe Officer who will be responsible for undertaking fail-safe checks for patients within the Glaucoma Service.
This role will also provide the opportunity to undertake some Team Leader responsibilities and gain valuable leadership experience.
Key Fail Safe responsibilities include:
Monitoring glaucoma waiting lists, follow-up appointments, and patient pathways to identify patients who may be at risk of delayed review or being lost to follow-up. Undertaking fail-safe checks to ensure that clinical outcomes, treatment plans, and follow-up recommendations are actioned appropriately. Reviewing patient records and clinic outcomes to identify discrepancies, missing appointments, incomplete pathways, or outstanding actions. Liaising with clinicians, administrative teams, diagnostic services, and booking teams to resolve pathway issues and ensure timely patient management. Escalating concerns regarding patient safety, overdue follow-up appointments, or pathway breaches to the appropriate clinical and operati
Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.
About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).
Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Job description Job responsibilities
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
We are looking for an organised, proactive individual with excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to patient safety. The successful candidate will be able to manage and prioritise workloads effectively, identify and resolve pathway issues, and work collaboratively with both clinical and administrative teams.
This is a new role within the department, and we are looking for a motivated and proactive individual who is eager to contribute to its development and help shape the role as it evolves.
The role requires strong communication skills, the ability to analyse and validate patient information accurately, and confidence in escalating concerns when necessary. Experience of working within healthcare administration, patient pathway management, or ophthalmology services would be advantageous, although training can be provided.
We are seeking an individual who is interested in undertaking a range of Team Leader responsibilities, working in partnership with the Team Leader within the Glaucoma Unit. The successful candidate will provide support and cover during periods of absence for either the Team Leader or the Administrative Line Manager. While the role will primarily focus on Fail-Safe Officer responsibilities, it also offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in leadership and management activities, develop supervisory skills, and contribute to the effective running of the department.
The Glaucoma Fail-Safe Officer plays a key role in supporting the safe and effective management of glaucoma patients by ensuring that individuals are not lost to follow-up and that appropriate monitoring, review, and treatment pathways are maintained.
We are seeking an individual with strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and the ability to create, analyse, and run reports using EPIC.
This role is based at Heavitree Hospital Glaucoma unit.
The post holder plays a key role in maintaining patient safety, reducing the risk of avoidable sight loss, and ensuring that glaucoma patients receive timely and appropriate care in accordance with clinical guidance and service protocols.
Visits to the department are strongly encouraged to provide applicants with a better understanding of the role. If you are unable to visit in person, a Microsoft Teams meeting can be arranged as an alternative.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday hours to be agreed, Please note that I am unable to consider requests for this role to be undertaken on reduced hours. However, once the successful candidate is fully established in the role, flexible working arrangements, including working from home, may be considered.
Interview Date: 20th August 2026
For further information please contact: Katrina Harris, Admin Line Manager, 07917505990, [email protected], Berenice Grey, Service Team Leader, 07500553616, [email protected], Nicolas Blandini, Head of Glaucoma Unit, 07789543558, [email protected]
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.
You will also have access to other benefits including:
National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
Car lease schemes.
The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.
Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Desirable
See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
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 Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Exeter
Devon
EX1 2ED
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)