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 clinics.

Average salary (a year)

£26,382 Starter

to

£68,525 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Health service manager

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You can become a health service manager by training on the NHS General Management graduate scheme.

Entry is usually with an upper second class degree or above. Most degree subjects are acceptable though you may need a recommended subject for certain specialist management roles, for example finance.

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

Some private healthcare providers also offer graduate general management schemes.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get relevant skills and knowledge for this job by doing a Chartered Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This typically takes 4 years to complete and is 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 and further training, you can move up to supervisory or management level. Your employer will have details about appropriate courses.

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 Health & Social Care Management. This would give you access to training and 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 a health service manager, you could:

  • recruit, train and supervise staff
  • set and manage budgets
  • use data to monitor and improve services
  • make sure regulations are followed
  • work with clinical staff and other professionals

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 could complete a higher level management qualification, like a master's in business administration (MBA) or a diploma in management studies (DMS). This may lead to senior managerial jobs at operational and strategic level.

You could also apply for jobs like director or chief executive of a health service provider.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Zenopa Business Degree Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,000 a year Annually
  • Location: CHURCH ROAD, PENN, HIGH WYCOMBE

Degree Apprentice Service Delivery Analyst 2025

  • Wage: £20,000 a year Annually
  • Location: 1 Old Park Lane, Trafford Park, Manchester

Courses In England

Leadership and Management

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds

Award in Leadership and Management

  • Provider: QUEEN MARY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Walsall

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.

Skills assessment

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

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.