Practice Manager

This is an opportunity for an experienced manager to make a real difference, balancing the needs of a busy healthcare organisation with the challenges and opportunities facing modern general practice.

The role will be supported by an established Operations Manager, enabling the Practice Manager to focus on strategic leadership, business development and the long-term success of the organisation.

Role purpose

Practice Manager will work closely with the GP Partners, Operations Manager and

wider management team to lead and develop Appletree Medical Practice. The role

is responsible for turning the Partnerships priorities into workable plans, keeping

a close eye on the practices financial and organisational performance and

making sure good governance is maintained. The postholder will also look for

sensible opportunities to improve services for patients, support staff and

strengthen the practice for the future.

Role context

Medical Practice is an established GP practice caring for around 11,000

patients from modern premises in Duffield. We have a strong clinical team, an

experienced management team and an Operations Manager already in post. This means

the Practice Manager can give particular attention to the bigger picture: the

future direction of the practice, financial sustainability, business

development, governance and forward planning, while still retaining oversight

of the organisation as a whole.

Strategic leadership and

partnership support

Work with the GP Partners and management team to agree the

practices priorities and develop a realistic long-term plan.

Turn agreed priorities into clear actions, with named leads,

sensible timescales and regular updates on progress.

Give the Partnership balanced, evidence-based advice so that

decisions can be made confidently and without unnecessary delay.

Keep abreast of changes in general practice and the wider

NHS, and help the practice decide what they mean locally and how best to

respond.

Encourage an open, supportive culture in which people take

responsibility, work well together and look for ways to improve.

Financial management and

sustainability

Work with the Partnership and its advisers on budgets,

forecasts and longer-term financial planning.

Maintain a good understanding of how the practice is funded

and make sure legitimate income opportunities are not missed.

Review financial and operational information regularly,

investigate significant differences and agree action where needed.

Help ensure that staffing and other resources are used well

and that significant investments or service changes are supported by a clear

business case.

Oversee key contracts and suppliers within the authority

delegated by the Partnership, with a clear focus on quality and value for

money.

Business development and

service improvement

Look for practical opportunities to develop services, bring

in appropriate income and improve access or outcomes for patients.

Lead or sponsor improvement work from the initial idea

through to implementation, review and follow-up.

Develop constructive working relationships with the Primary

Care Network, commissioners, neighbouring practices, community services and

other local partners.

Use feedback and performance information from patients, staff

and services to help identify where change is most needed.

Make sure changes are thought through, explained clearly and

followed up so that they become part of everyday practice.

Governance, quality and

regulatory compliance

Keep an overview of the practices governance arrangements,

making sure responsibilities are clear and concerns are reported to the right

people.

Make sure the practice is prepared for CQC requirements and

meets its contractual, legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Ensure reliable arrangements are in place for risk, business

continuity, health and safety, information governance, complaints and

significant events.

Help teams learn from incidents, feedback and performance

information, and check that agreed improvements are carried through.

Keep policies and procedures useful, up to date and easy for

staff to find and follow.

People, leadership and

organisational culture

Lead and support the management team, with clear areas of

responsibility and appropriate delegation.

Work with operational leads on workforce planning,

recruitment, retention, succession planning and the development of roles.

Create an environment in which staff feel informed, included

and supported to do their best work.

Make sure the basics of good people management are in place,

including induction, appraisal, training, performance support and fair handling

of employee matters.

Be a visible and approachable senior leader who is prepared

to deal with difficult issues promptly, fairly and professionally.

Operational and performance

oversight

Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager, respecting

agreed responsibilities while maintaining sufficient oversight of the practice

as a whole.

Agree and monitor key operational and quality indicators,

ensuring that risks, pressures and recurring problems are identified early.

Provide senior leadership during significant operational

disruption or business continuity events.

Ensure the Partnership receives concise, accurate and timely

management information.

Support effective communication across practice sites, teams

and professional groups.

Patient and stakeholder focus

Ensure that patient experience, safety, equality and

accessibility are considered in strategic and operational decisions.

Promote constructive engagement with patients and relevant

representative groups.

Support appropriate handling, oversight and organisational

learning from complaints, concerns, compliments and feedback.

Represent the practice professionally in external meetings

and collaborative work.

Management and accountability

The postholder is accountable to the GP Partnership and will

work in close partnership with the Operations Manager.

Individual line-management responsibilities and delegated

financial authority will be confirmed by the Partnership and recorded in the

practice responsibility matrix.

The postholder will attend and contribute to Partnership and

management meetings as required, providing reports, recommendations and

assurance.

General responsibilities

Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection,

information governance and records-management requirements.

Act at all times in a way that supports equality, diversity,

inclusion, dignity and respect.

Comply with practice policies and relevant health and safety,

safeguarding and infection prevention requirements.

Participate in appraisal, continuing professional development

and training appropriate to the role.

Undertake

other duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role, following

discussion and appropriate agreement.

Review of this document

Situated in the semi-rural village of Duffield (5 miles north of Derby), we serve a population of just over 11,000 patients. We are in a modern, purpose-built premises with free parking and disabled access. We have an attached (independent) pharmacy unit on-site. We also operate from a small branch surgery in the neighbouring village of Little Eaton. We are within easy commute of Derby and Nottingham and are situated close to the beautiful Derbyshire Peal District.

Skills and personal attributes

Desirable: - -Understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing general practice.; - -Experience of collaborative working across organisational boundaries.

Governance, quality and risk

Experience

People and culture

Finance and business

Desirable: - -Knowledge of general practice funding, contracts, claims or income streams.; - -Experience of business-case development, procurement or contract management.

Qualifications

Desirable: - -Recognised management, leadership, business, finance, HR or healthcare-management qualification.; - -Membership of an appropriate professional body.