Ophthalmology Co-Ordinator and Glaucoma Failsafe Officer

Job overview

The Glaucoma Failsafe Officer plays a critical role within the Ophthalmology Service, ensuring the safe and effective management of patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. This is a high‑volume, high‑risk clinical pathway where delays in follow‑up can lead to irreversible sight loss. The postholder will be responsible for maintaining robust failsafe processes that ensure all patients are monitored, tracked, and reviewed within clinically appropriate timeframes.

Working closely with consultants, specialty optometrists, operational managers, and administrative teams, the Glaucoma Failsafe Officer will oversee the end‑to‑end pathway, identifying overdue patients, validating clinical follow‑up requirements, and escalating concerns promptly. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to confidently interpret and apply clinical pathway rules to ensure patient safety.

Main duties of the job

Maintain robust failsafe systems to ensure all glaucoma and glaucoma‑suspect patients are monitored within clinically appropriate timeframes.

Identify overdue or at‑risk patients using clinical systems and tracking tools. Escalate patients requiring urgent clinical review to the appropriate ophthalmology teams.

Support the smooth running of the glaucoma pathway by coordinating patient journeys from referral through to follow‑up.

Validate follow‑up intervals and ensure patients are booked into the correct clinic type based on clinical need.

Run regular reports to audit follow‑up lists, overdue patient cohorts, and backlog performance.

Act as the central point of contact for failsafe‑related queries from clinical teams, booking staff, management, and external providers.

Work closely with consultants, optometrists, and administrative colleagues to maintain efficient clinic utilisation.

Ensure the glaucoma tracking system meets national ophthalmology safety standards and best‑practice expectations.

Provide high‑quality administrative support to the glaucoma service and wider ophthalmology department.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role please see the attached job description and person specification.