Advertised from 22 October 2025

Role

The Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland plays a vital role in strengthening the safety and quality of healthcare across the nation. Independent of government and the NHS, the Office amplifies the voices of patients and families, identifying systemic risks and driving evidence-based improvements that make healthcare safer for all. Through rigorous, impartial investigations and constructive engagement with health bodies, regulators, and patient groups, the Office seeks to uncover and address the underlying causes of harm—ensuring that learning from adverse events leads to enduring improvements in policy, practice, and culture across Scotland’s health system.

Working with the Commissioner and the Executive Director of Patient Safety, the Policy and Investigations Officer will provide specialist research, investigative and policy support to the Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC) for Scotland. The postholder will lead and contribute to inquiries, reviews, and site-based investigations across NHS and independent healthcare providers. They will ensure that the voices of patients, families, advocacy groups and frontline staff are heard, and that findings inform recommendations and reports to Parliament and Ministers.

To be successful in this role, you will have experience in health, policy, regulation, patient safety, investigations, advocacy, or a related area. You should also have proven experience of conducting site-based investigations or inspections in healthcare, regulation or similar settings. It is essential that you have knowledge of healthcare operations, including procedures, waiting list management, medication systems, and medical device use.

Strong analytical skills are required for this role, with the ability to interpret and integrate complex information from multiple sources. You should also have knowledge of data protection, confidentiality and ethical frameworks for handling sensitive information.

Please note that there are two roles available, 1 x Permanent and 1 x Fixed Term/Secondment (2 years)..

Application notes

Recruitment for the Patient Safety Commissioner is being managed by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s office. If you are interested in in this vacancy, please visit Patient Safety Commissioner - Policy and Investigations Officer | SPSO for the full job outline and application pack.

For further information, please contact 0131 297 4876 or you can email [email protected] 

Closing date: 10:00 on 12 November 2025

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of applications by 21 November 2025.

Interview and assessment: During the week of 1 to 5 December 2025

Equal Opportunities Statement:

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and in the service provided to complainants. No job applicant, staff member or person receiving a service from us will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, gender, marital status, or racial grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin, or of other personal attributes including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or political opinions.

We are totally opposed to discrimination. We are committed to conducting the business in a way that is fair to all sections of the community. This may mean taking positive steps to ensure equal opportunities for staff involved in staff selection, staff management and service delivery.