GP Practice Manager

Job Description:

GP practice managers run the business side of doctors' surgeries and health centres.

Job Category:

Health Care & Social Assistance

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What you will do:

As a GP practice manager, you could:

supervise medical secretaries and manage reception
manage medical records and appointment systems
make sure the practice meets its financial targets
monitor prescriptions, order stock and organise rotas
arrange cleaning, maintenance and security for the building

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of English language
business management skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

administration skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
leadership skills
the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
excellent verbal communication skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become a GP (General Practitioner) Practice Manager, you don’t necessarily need specific subjects. However, a strong educational background and certain skills can be beneficial for this role. GP Practice Managers are responsible for the efficient and effective operation of a medical practice, so skills related to healthcare administration and business management are important. Here are some subjects and skills that can be helpful:

Mathematics: Strong mathematical skills are essential for managing the financial aspects of a medical practice, including budgeting, billing, and payroll.
English: Effective written and verbal communication skills are crucial for dealing with patients, staff, and healthcare professionals, as well as for managing correspondence and documentation.
Business Studies or Economics: These subjects can provide a foundational understanding of business management principles, which are relevant to running a medical practice.
Science: While not mandatory, a basic understanding of biology or science can be helpful in a healthcare-related role.
Information Technology (IT): Proficiency in using computers and office software is important for managing patient records, appointments, and administrative tasks.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

working towards this role
applying directly
training courses run by professional bodies

Work

You could start as an assistant office manager in a health centre or hospital and do training to work your way up.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a GP practice manager.

You’ll usually need to have a business background and be an experienced manager with a management qualification.

It might be useful if you have experience working in health or social care.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 36-38 hours of work. You could be required to work evenings/weekends on a rota.

You could work at a GP practice or at a health centre.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience you could:

become a partner of a GP practice
move into healthcare management in a hospital or health authority
work as a manager in private healthcare or in social services

GP Practice Manager