Newborn Screening Failsafe Officer

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and organised Newborn Screening Failsafe Officer to join our dedicated screening team.

This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality newborn screening services, helping to ensure that babies and families receive timely, safe and effective care in line with national screening standards.

Working closely with midwives, health visitors, laboratory teams and other healthcare professionals, you will coordinate and monitor the failsafe processes for three national newborn screening programmes. You will help ensure that eligible women and babies are offered screening within the required timescales, maintaining accurate records and monitoring performance against national standards.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining screening databases, carrying out detailed failsafe checks, and supporting the smooth running of screening pathways. You will also help maximise the effective use of clinic appointments, arrange interpreters where required, and act as a key point of contact for families and healthcare professionals. The role requires excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills and a compassionate approach when supporting families.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a busy environment, is passionate about patient safety, and wants to make a meaningful difference to the care of newborn babies and their families.

Main duties of the job

You will coordinate and monitor failsafe processes across three national newborn screening programmes, ensuring accurate patient records, screening results and appointment information are maintained on local and national systems. By undertaking routine failsafe checks, you will help ensure babies progress safely through screening pathways and that national standards are met.

The role includes maintaining screening databases, producing reports and supporting the monitoring of service performance and quality standards. You will identify and escalate potential breaches, supporting actions to maintain compliance with NHS Screening Programme requirements.

You will provide administrative support to the ANNB Screening Co-ordinator, Newborn Screening Manager and wider team, including arranging interpreters, coordinating appointments, supporting meetings and assisting with audits, complaints and incident investigations.

As a key point of contact for families and healthcare professionals, you will manage enquiries with professionalism, sensitivity and compassion. You will also act as the lead contact for the three Northgate Failsafe Systems, providing user support and guidance, while contributing to the ongoing development of a safe, effective and patient-focused newborn screening servi

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide administrative support to the ANNB Screening Co-Ordinator and Newborn Screening Manager and the wider team when required.

• To arrange interpreters for pregnant people if necessary
• To be confident and competent when dealing with distressed families during telephone or face to face conversations and ensure resolution of individual concerns.
• To be responsible for answering telephone enquiries and referring to other members of the Department as appropriate.
• Prepare and attend multi-disciplinary meetings with the ANNB Co-Ordinator and Newborn Screening Manager as required.
• To assist in the investigation of complaints or serious incidents of the Newborn Screening Service.
• To act as the main point of contact in relation to issues/updates/training requirements of all 3 Northgate Failsafe Systems.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.