You could start as an assistant office manager in a health centre or hospital and work your way up through training and promotion.
GP practice manager
Alternative titles for this job include GP surgery manager
GP practice managers run the business side of doctors' surgeries and health centres.
Average salary (a year)
£22,250 Starter
to£55,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
36 to 38 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends on a rota
How to become a GP practice manager
You can get into this job through:
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
Work
Direct application
You could move into practice management from a range of different business backgrounds. You'll usually need to be an experienced manager with a management qualification.
Experience in a health or social care setting would be an advantage, though it's not essential.
Other routes
You can get relevant qualifications by training with The Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR). Qualifications include:
- a short course Certificate in Health Service Administration
- Level 3 Diploma in Medical Administration
- Level 3 Certificate in Medical Terminology
- Level 5 Primary Care and Health Management
These are available through a combination of approved training centres, colleges and online. You'll need to be working in a health-related job to study some of the higher-level qualifications.
More information
Professional and industry bodies
Membership of The Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR) and the Institute of Healthcare Management will give you access to professional development opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a GP practice manager from Health Careers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- business management skills
- knowledge of English language
- administration skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- recruiting, training and supervising medical receptionists and secretaries
- paying wages and making sure the practice meets its financial targets
- organising duty rotas for doctors and clerical staff
- managing the reception and appointments system
- managing medical records systems
- controlling stocks of equipment, stationery and drugs
- arranging the building's cleaning, maintenance and security
- monitoring prescriptions
- handling confidential information
Working environment
You could work at a GP practice or at a health centre.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a partner (part-owner) of the practice.
You might move into healthcare management in a hospital, health authority or NHS trust.
You could also work as a manager in a social services department, or you could work in private healthcare.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a GP practice manager right now.
The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.
Courses In England
Medical Admin Diploma with City & Guilds Level 2 Amspar
- Provider: Pitman Training London
- Start date: 01 July 2019
- Location: London
(AMSPAR) Medical Administration Advanced Diploma Level 3
- Provider: South and City College Birmingham
- Start date: 01 September 2019
- Location: Birmingham
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