Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, innovative and highly motivated individual to join the Quality Assurance and Safety Team as a Senior Patient Safety and Assurance Officer, to support the Health Board in focusing on incident management and assurance activities. The key purpose of the role is to support clinical services with incident investigation and management, as well as investigating a caseload of incidents, in an independent professional manner.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the Assistant Patient Safety and Assurance Manager to support, via a business partner model, specific clinical services incident investigation processes and inspection and quality assurance activities. To achieve this, the post holder will lead on delivering against a range of objectives, which will include but are not limited to:
-day-to-day oversight of incidents raised in the Health Board-identification of incidents requiring escalation / scrutiny-managing a caseload of investigations efficiently and effectively for learning-provision of advice and support to colleagues on areas within their remit-line management of a small team of Patient Safety Officers-delivery of Investigation Training to Health Board staff
The ideal post holder will be experienced in the use of Datix systems. A detailed knowledge of Putting Things Right processes would be an advantage.
They will ideally have been involved in NHS quality & safety work, with an in depth understanding of areas such as concerns reporting and investigation management.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held 12/08/25
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held 12/08/25
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent experience
- Clinical background or healthcare management qualification or equivalent experience to postgraduate diploma level
- Evidence of continuing Professional development
- Knowledge of the NHS Putting Things Right Guidance / Duty of Quality and Duty of Candour
- Health Board Risk Management Procedures, Legal procedures, Complaints procedures
- Good knowledge of medical terminology and concepts
- Knowledge of change management principles
- Knowledge of the patient information system
- Working knowledge of the risk management system DATIX
Desirable
- ECDL qualification
- Training qualification
- Silver IQT
- Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis Tools and Proportionate Investigations for investigation of concerns
- Knowledge and experience of the AMAT system
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in the NHS in a relevant environment
- Experience of undertaking investigations and / or researching / providing information / advice to patients and / or the public in a healthcare environment
- Experience of analysing problems and providing solutions
- Experience of using a database and making judgements about the data entered
- Experience of involvement in developing a service or process
- Experience of working with senior clinicians/service providers and challenging them where appropriate
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with distressed angry/unhappy service users
- Experience of analytical skills
Language Skills
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent experience
- Clinical background or healthcare management qualification or equivalent experience to postgraduate diploma level
- Evidence of continuing Professional development
- Knowledge of the NHS Putting Things Right Guidance / Duty of Quality and Duty of Candour
- Health Board Risk Management Procedures, Legal procedures, Complaints procedures
- Good knowledge of medical terminology and concepts
- Knowledge of change management principles
- Knowledge of the patient information system
- Working knowledge of the risk management system DATIX
Desirable
- ECDL qualification
- Training qualification
- Silver IQT
- Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis Tools and Proportionate Investigations for investigation of concerns
- Knowledge and experience of the AMAT system
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in the NHS in a relevant environment
- Experience of undertaking investigations and / or researching / providing information / advice to patients and / or the public in a healthcare environment
- Experience of analysing problems and providing solutions
- Experience of using a database and making judgements about the data entered
- Experience of involvement in developing a service or process
- Experience of working with senior clinicians/service providers and challenging them where appropriate
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with distressed angry/unhappy service users
- Experience of analytical skills
Language Skills
Desirable
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
