NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit
Practice Manager
The closing date is 30 June 2026
Willington Medical Group are looking to employ a Practice Manager. We have 6 GP Partners and 2 salaried GPs as well as 4 Nurse Practitioners. We have personal GP lists as we value continuity of care for our patients and strive to provide the highest standard of care for our patients despite the pressures of our modern NHS.
We are well supported by our excellent nursing, reception, and administration team.
We are a friendly and hard-working practice team who value improvement and ongoing innovation in the practice.
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit a Practice Manager who will be able to demonstrate senior management and leadership qualities. They will be able to identify and implement the objectives of the practice.
Strong interpersonal skills with experience and confidence in people management, finance, and strategic management are essential.
You will be accountable to the GP Partners, be proactive, and able to plan for future change within the NHS. As well as ensuring a high level of operational efficiency you must be able to maintain patient care to the highest standard.
To be able to help initiate and develop the vision of the GP Partners and bring them to fruition.
To be able to provide clear and positive leadership and constantly review and recommend strategies for the development and effectiveness of the practice.
About us
Willington Medical Group is a semi-rural practice situated 7 miles west of Durham City. We are looking for a full time Practice Manager with NHS experience to work with us and our 9000+ patients.
Job responsibilities
- Ability to think strategically and translate strategy into implementation
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage time effectively to meet deadlines
- Ability to manage a team effectively, managing performance issues and delivering required outputs.
- Ability to support and guide the team through decision-making processes.
- An analytical mind and outstanding presentation and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and use initiative
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbal and written) with a wide range of individuals
- Ability to manage change through motivation and leadership
- Robust finance and business skills to maintain and improve the profitability of the business
- A conscientious approach and commitment to working in an adaptable and flexible manner (evening meetings)
- Ability to work calmly and effectively and deal with multiple demands
- Ability to maintain strict levels of confidentiality and to treat administration staff, the clinical team and the partners with sensitivity and respect
- Ability to work positively as a member and leader of a busy team and to develop a positive culture
- Ability to influence others positively, negotiate constructively and resolve conflict successfully
- Able to build and sustain networks and partnerships
- Ability to work on multiple projects at once, maintaining focus and quality
- Implementation and co-ordination of processes to ensure that the practices objectives are met
- Ability to identify threats and opportunities and to manage change
- Lead and chair meetings associated with the post
- Develop and co-ordinate systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the practice
- Ability to self-motivate, prioritise organise and/or delegate workload
- Good IT knowledge and experience
- Ensure practice policy and standards compliance
- The ability to enjoy diversity and sometimes, the unexpected
Key responsibilities
Finance
Responsibility for the finances of the practice, working with the Lead GP Partner for Finance to achieve the following;
- Develop and control practice budgets and financial systems
- Prepare financial budgets and cash-flow forecasts
- Ensure the organisational requirements of the practice contracts with NHSE are fully met and complied with
- Support the Partners to develop and implement processes to achieve clinical targets
- Understand and report on the financial implications of contract and legislation changes
- Liaise with the accountant and bank as appropriate or as directed by the Partners
- Directly contribute to profit improvement by exploring areas for increasing income and reducing costs
- Analyse data relating to clinical commissioning as appropriate and contribute to planning and organisation both at practice and clinical commissioning group level
- Manage Partners drawings in consultation with the accountant
Strategic Planning
Overall responsibility for the strategic planning of the practice, working with the Partners to achieve the following;
- Keep abreast of current affairs and identify potential opportunities and threats
- Assess and evaluate accommodation requirements and manage development and expansion opportunities
- Implement and update the (PDP) Practice Development Plan, overseeing the implementation of the aims and objectives
- Assist the practice in the wider community and assist with forging links with other local practices and relevant agencies and in particular working collaboratively within the PCN (Primary Care Network) and the DDHF (Durham Dales Health Federation)
- Formulate objectives and research and develop ideas for future practice development
- To represent the practice at external meetings
- To make recommendations to the Partners for practice development with regard to potential sources of income
- To be innovative, assess and implement change
Human Resources
Overall responsibility for Employment Law compliance, working with the Partners to achieve the following;
- Ensure the recruitment, selection and retention of staff, including contracts of employment and job descriptions is robust
- Ensure systems and practices are in place to manage performance of staff effectively.
- To oversee effective appraisal processes and delivery of appraisals and reviews with all staff
- Ensure Employment Law compliance
- Be aware of current employment legislation and compliance
- To develop and maintain good employee/employer relationships
- To ensure that members of the existing staff team are aware of any changes that occur in the practice
- To maintain good communication at all times with the practice team
- Ensure all personnel are CPD (Continuing Professional Development) compliant, in line with local and national requirements
- Ensure nurse and GP revalidation compliance
- To have strategic overview and to oversee rotas which allow good staff cover at all times as well as giving the flexibility required at short notice to cover for illness, etc.
- To implement pay rises/scales and increments at the appropriate time
- Responsibility for appropriate paperwork for doctors/staff DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks
- To meet with attached/PCN staff as and when necessary and arrange/attend regular meetings with partners and attached/PCN staff to discuss all issues around patient care
- To ensure that suitable facilities are available to enable all staff to work within the practice
- Be responsible for the health and safety policy and its implementation
- Facilitate the development of a multi-disciplinary effective primary health care team
Information Technology & Governance
Take overall responsibility for IT processes to;
- Ensure compliance of appropriate information governance systems
- Ensure compliance with Data Security & Protection and the ICO (Information Commissioners Office)
- Ensure all Practice IT and telephone systems are effective and compliant
- Keep abreast of new technology, NHS initiatives and their effective use within a GP practice
- Ensure IT compliance with the contractual obligations of the practice
Patient Services
Working with the Partners to achieve the following;
- Ensure that the practice complies with NHS contractual obligations in relation to patient care
- Maintain registration policies and monitor patient turnover and capitation
- Maintain a strategic approach to the development and management of patient services
- Oversee and manage effective appointment systems
- Routinely monitor and assess practice performance against patient access and demand targets
- Ensure a robust practice complaints management system and effective and efficient response procedure
- Ensure a robust and effective significant event reporting system
Premises and Equipment
Overall responsibility for Premises and Equipment to achieve the following;
- Negotiate leasing contracts and their renewals
- Liaise with NHSE in notional rent review
- Overall facilities management including responsibility for security, repairs and maintenance, insurance, and all Health & Safety, Risk Management and Fire Prevention issues
- Project management of premises development
- Management and security of Partner owned property
CQC
- Oversee and maintain compliance with CQC regulations
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent through training and experience.
- Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development
- Professional qualification in a relevant subject
Skills
- A solutions focused approach to problem solving
- Ability to delegate
- Effective communication (oral and written) and excellent inter-personal skills
- Approachable with the ability to listen and empathise
- Change and project management experience
- Leadership skills, including excellent people and time management skills
- Complaints management and resolution
- Negotiating and managing conflict
- Networking and facilitation
Experience
- 5 years experience and success with managing business
- Experience and success of team leadership; able to promote teamwork and employee satisfaction
- Working in a computer environment
- Financial management experience including understanding of spread sheets
- Experience as a senior/business manager, with knowledge of employment law and finance management
- Experience of strategic business planning
- Experience of working with regulatory bodies
- Experience of managing change
- Management experience in the NHS or in practice management
Qualities
- Personable and approachable
- Self-motivated and confident able to work with minimal direction
- Adaptable and innovative
- Enthusiasm, with energy and drive
- Gains respect by example, fairness, integrity & leadership
- Trustworthy, honest, reliable, caring and empathic
- Commitment to upholding equality and diversity within the Practice
- Proactive strategic thinking with commitment to collaboratively developing a clear vision
- Hard working, reliable and resourceful Willing to work flexible hours as necessary Considered, steady approach Diplomacy, discretion and confidentiality.
- Political awareness
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit
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