1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Health service manager

Health service manager

Alternative titles for this job include Hospital manager, NHS hospital manager

Health service managers run local healthcare services like hospitals, GP practices and community health services.

Average salary (a year)

£25,368 Starter

to

£63,862 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a health service manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

A common way into this job is through a graduate training scheme. Most degree subjects are acceptable for NHS General Management training. Entry is usually with an upper second class degree or above.

As part of your training you will work towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership.

Find out more about the NHS General Management graduate scheme.

For some NHS specialist managerial roles you may need a degree in a recommended subject. The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme has more information.

Some private healthcare providers also offer graduate general management schemes.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could gain relevant skills and knowledge for this job through a Chartered manager degree apprenticeship.

This typically takes 4 years to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study at an approved university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can get into health service management by working your way up from an administrative or clinical role within the NHS.

You're likely to need 4 to 5 GCSE grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and possibly A levels or equivalent for an administrator role.

With experience, you can move up to supervisory or management level. You can find useful courses to help you do this through the Institute of Administrative Management.

The MSc in Healthcare Leadership is suitable for doctors, pharmacists, allied health professionals, nurses, midwives and non-clinical staff who want to advance into a senior management position.

Direct Application

You can apply directly if you already have management experience from the private, public or voluntary sector.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could apply to become a member of the Institute of Healthcare Management. This would give you access to professional development opportunities and professional recognition.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a health service manager from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • business management skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • administration skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

  • work with clinical staff and other professionals
  • recruit, train and supervise staff
  • deal with the health service's day-to-day performance
  • set and manage budgets
  • write reports and give presentations
  • use data to monitor and improve services
  • make sure regulations are followed
  • manage premises and security

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or at a GP practice.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You'll increase your chances for career progression if you complete a higher level management qualification, like a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) or a diploma in management studies (DMS).

You could also apply for jobs at director or chief executive level.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Management Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Oxford

Sales Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £18,500.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Leadership & Management Level 3

  • Provider: EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 August 2022
  • Location: Not known

CMI Management and Leadership Diploma

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 January 2023
  • Location: Torquay
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.