Overview
Practice Managers play a key role in ensuring a GP practice runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities can be wide-ranging and may include business planning, finance, staff recruitment and training, and overseeing IT systems.
While a formal healthcare management qualification is not always required, most Practice Managers bring strong experience in management, particularly in finance and people management.
To support the delivery of high-quality patient care, Practice Managers also develop a detailed understanding of the GP contract, which sets out how practices are funded and the standards they must meet.
Scope of Practice
Role Responsibilities:
Responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the medical centre, overseeing a diverse team that may include GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, administrators, receptionists, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and other managers.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Business Planning.
- Handling financial systems for the practice, including payroll.
- Selecting, training and supervising non-clinical staff.
- Developing and supervising appointment systems that work well for patients and clinicians.
- Ensuring accurate records are kept, and liaising with local health organisations such as clinical commissioning groups.
- Developing strategies for the practice on issues such as computer systems and security, expanding or changing services, and long-term services.
- Personnel Administration.
- Payroll.
- Finance.
- Strategic Planning.
- IT skills.
Entry Requirements
You don’t need to be a qualified healthcare professional to become a Practice Manager, and people enter the role from a variety of backgrounds.
As part of the 10-year plan NHS England are suggesting there will be a code of Practice for Practice Managers going forward, once this is released then we will add the information here.
While requirements can vary, employers may look for management qualifications, and experience in the NHS or general practice is often an advantage. Most Practice Managers are experienced leaders with a strong track record of managing people and teams.
Key skills and qualities employers look for include:
- Strong leadership and the ability to motivate others
- Confidence in managing change
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong organisational ability
- Proficiency in using information technology
Training and development
Mandatory Training (Pre-employment into primary care)
See above entry requirements
Additional Training Opportunities
Primary care manager career development framework
This framework should be used as guidance and a mechanism for enhancing current offers and identifying the current gaps that could make the difference to supporting primary care managers.
Primary-care-manager-career-development-framework.pdf
NHS Leadership Academy – Leadership and management apprenticeships
Leadership and Management Apprenticeships – Leadership Academy
Edward Jenner Programme
If you want to feel more able to deal with the daily challenges of working in healthcare, better equipped to care for patients, lead services and provide leadership for those around you – supporting them to do their job better – the Edward Jenner programme is for you.
Edward Jenner programme – Leadership Academy
Mary Seacole Programme
The Mary Seacole programme is a six month leadership development programme which was designed by the NHS Leadership Academy in partnership with global experts, Korn Ferry Hay Group, to develop knowledge and skills in leadership and management.
Mary Seacole programme – Leadership Academy
Rosalind Franklin Programme
The Rosalind Franklin programme will support you to become outstanding innovators, leaders, and team members working across the health and care system, to help improve services for people and communities that access them. The programme is 9 months long with eight workshop days and you’ll be expected to commit approximately four to five hours a week to study.
Rosalind Franklin Programme – Leadership Academy
Core Managers: Developing Inclusive Workplaces programme
This programme is designed for health and care managers and supervisors to help them develop core inclusive leadership skills.
Core Managers: Developing Inclusive Workplaces programme – Leadership Academy
NHS Leadership Academy Learning Zone
The Leadership Learning Zone is a flexible e-learning resource that takes a learner on an interactive exploration of key areas of leadership development. This suite of introductory modules developed by the Midlands Leadership Academy is equally relevant to learners who are just starting in their careers as well as experienced managers who want to consolidate their leadership capabilities.
NHS East of England Leadership Academy | Supporting you to reach your leadership potential
Foundations in System Leadership; collaborating for health and care
The Foundations in System Leadership; collaborating for health and care programme is open to all colleagues working in health, care, local authorities and voluntary sector partnerships, who have a desire to improve the way they collaborate across organisational, professional and hierarchical boundaries to design and deliver better health outcomes for the communities they serve.
Foundations in System Leadership; collaborating for health and care – Leadership Academy
Core Managers: Developing Inclusive Workplaces programme
This programme is designed for health and care managers and supervisors to help them develop core inclusive leadership skills.
Core Managers: Developing Inclusive Workplaces programme – Leadership Academy
Leadership and Management Apprenticeships:
Level 3 – Team Leading
Level 5 – Operations/Department Manager
Level 6 – Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
Local Apprenticeships Providers
West Suffolk College – Apprenticeship ranging from Level 3 Team leader to L6 Charter Manager Apprenticeships
Colchester Institute – Apprenticeship ranging from Level 3 Team leader to L6 Charter Manager Apprenticeships | Apprenticeship Training – Colchester Institute
National Apprenticeship Provider
PMA – PMA Apprenticeships – PMA
*For more info on the apprenticeship please contact the training hub via [email protected]
Please also remember that Primary Care teams regularly organise management updates, and the Training Hub frequently adds new sessions to their rolling programme. We encourage you to stay connected with your Primary Care Team leads for the latest opportunities.
Supervision requirements
Coaching & Mentoring for NHS Staff
The East of England Leadership Academy provides coaching and mentoring opportunities for NHS staff.
Coaching helps develop leadership skills through tailored one-to-one or group sessions, offering focused support for personal and professional growth.
Mentoring provides guidance and encouragement centred on the individual’s needs, promoting independence, self-development, and helping to identify future opportunities.
Coaching and Mentoring – East of England
Funding
Salaries for Practice Managers are negotiated individually with the partners.