Role Summary
This role is based at Heavitree Hospital and is responsible for undertaking fail-safe checks for patients within the Glaucoma Service.
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.
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 operational leads.
- Supporting the validation and maintenance of glaucoma databases, patient tracking systems, and waiting lists to ensure data accuracy.
- Assisting with audits, service improvement initiatives, and performance monitoring to support compliance with national and local glaucoma standards.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of processes designed to improve patient safety, pathway management, and service efficiency.
- Providing advice and support to administrative and clinical teams regarding glaucoma follow-up requirements and pathway management.
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.
About the Role
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.
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.
This role is based at Heavitree Hospital Glaucoma unit.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday hours to be agreed
Interview Date: Tuesday 21st July 2026
For further information please contact: Katrina Harris, Admin Line Manager, 07917505990, katrinaharris@nhs.net
This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
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.
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 people’s 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.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
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 are 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 will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
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 will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will 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 would love to hear from you.
