We are seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Trainee Practice Manager to join our team. This is an exciting development opportunity for someone with leadership experience who is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and keen to progress into a senior management role.
Working closely with our current Practice Manager (who is due to retire in March 2027), you will receive structured training and support to develop the skills required to take on the full Practice Manager role. Upon successful completion of the training period, you will transition into the Practice Manager position with a salary aligned to Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale, dependent on experience and progression.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting day-to-day staff management and leadership
- Assisting with financial management and budgeting
- Overseeing practice systems and IT management
- Ensuring compliance within formation governance and CQC standards
- Supporting human resources functions
- Managing health and safety requirements
- Engaging with external stakeholders including the ICB, Primary Care Networks, and secondary care providers
About You
- Experience in leading or supervising a team
- Strong organisational, time-management, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
- Self-motivated with the ability to inspire and support others
- Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement
- Experience in healthcare or primary care settings is highly desirable
- Willingness to work towards a recognised management qualification (if not already held)
What We Offer
- Structured training and career progression to Practice Manager level
- 6 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
About us
Rainford Health Centre is a well-established, high-performing GP Training Practice based in St Helens, with a growing patient list of 4,770. Our clinical team includes 1 full-time Partner, 1 part-time Partner, 2 Salaried GPs, a Practice Pharmacist, 2 part‑time Practice Nurses, and a part‑time Healthcare Assistant. We use the EMIS Web clinical system and are part of NHS St Helens North Primary Care Network.
Job responsibilities
Job title
Trainee Practice Manager
Linemanager
Senior Partner
Accountable to
The Partners
30
Job summary
The post-holder is a Trainee Practice Manager.
Reporting to the current practice Manager and the partners, this role is to lead in the management and coordination of all aspects of organisation functionality, motivating and managing staff, optimising efficiency and financial performance, and ensuring the organisation achieves its long‑term strategic objectives in a safe and effective working environment.
The Practice Manager is the lead in managing governance and is the focal point for external organisations and inspections, including the regulator.
Through innovative ways of working, lead the team in promoting ED&I, SHEF, quality and continuous improvement, confidentiality, collaborative working, service delivery, learning and development and ensure the organisation complies with UK legislation and both NHS and CQC regulations.
The post-holder is an instrumental member of the general practice team.
Primary key responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the organisation, ensuring staff achieve their primary responsibilities
- Provide leadership and guidance to all staff ensuring that they always adhere to policy and procedure
- Functional management of all salaried clinical and administrative staff
- Assist with the management for recruitment, including pre‑employment checks and induction training, including those staff not directly employed by the practice
- Consider staff planning and develop, implement and embed an effective succession plan
- Assist with the management an effective staff appraisal process, and undertake appraisals for those they line manage
- Assist with the management of an effective system for the resolution of disciplinary and grievance issues, maintaining an overview of staff welfare
- Maintain an effective overview of and ensure compliance with HR legislation
- Ensure all staff have the appropriate level of training to enable them to carry out their individual roles and responsibilities effectively
- Implement and embed an effective practice and staff development plan for all staff (clinical and administrative) whilst maintaining a robust training record
- Review and regularly update job descriptions and personspecifications, ensuring all staff are legally and gainfully employed
- Manage the financial elements of the organisation, including budgets, bank accounts, accounting systems, petty cash, etc., seeking to maximise income and reduce expenditure in conjunction with the partners
- With support from the Practice Manager and the Partners, manage the financial elements of the organisation whilst seeking to maximise income and reduce expenditure
- Assist with effective liaison with the accountant, overseeing organisation accounts, ensuring year‑end figures are presented
- Guide the team to reach QOF targets (supported by the nursing and administrative leads)
- Ensure the organisation has appropriate insurance cover
- Manage the procurement of organisation equipment, supplies and services
- Manage contracts for services, i.e., cleaning, gardening, window cleaning, etc.
- Be the key liaison with the PCN, the PCN Manager and any ARRS staff who provide a supporting service at the organisation
- Assist with the Development, implement and embed an efficient business resilience plan (BRP)
- Implement systems to ensure compliance with CQC regulations and standards
- Lead the management of the clinical system, ensuring compliance with DPA18 and UK GDPR
- Monitor and disseminate information on safety alerts and other pertinent information
- Oversee the response to and resolution of all local IT issues
- Actively encourage and promote the use of patient online services
- Update and act as the focal point for the practice website and social media sites
- Market the practice appropriately to ensure patient population is stable or increasing
- Ensure staff implement the practice-wide approach to the management of all patient services matters
- Identify and deliver team training where required
- Manage the premises, including health and safety aspects, and undertake risk assessments, staff awareness and mandatory risk management training
- Support the management team in the compilation of practice reports and the practice development plan
- Manage the patient complaints process and ensure that staff are fully conversant with the complaints procedure
- Be an instrumental member of the general practice team
- Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
- Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
- Be the leader for the spectrum of clinical governance
- Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area always
- Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
Wider responsibilities
- Deputise for the Partners at internal and external meetings
- Act as the primary point of contact for NHSE, ICB, PCN, community services, suppliers and other external stakeholders
- Oversee the submission of reports for QOF, enhanced services and other reporting requirements
- Brief clinicians on performance levels, advising actions to ensure high achievement across all QOF areas
- Oversee the management of the Patient Participation Group
- Attend any external meetings pertinent to this role
- Support and participate in shared learning
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral and presenting)
- Proven leadership skills
- Competent in the use of MS Office products
- Ability to prioritise, delegate and work to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
- Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
- Ability to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Effective time management (planning and organising)
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to effectively utilise resources
- Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Ability to network and build relationships
- Flexible, cooperative and motivated
- Confident, assertive and resilient
- Ability to drive and deliver change effectively
- Ability to use initiative and judgement
- Ability to motivate teams, enhance morale and maintain a positive working environment, including team‑building sessions
- Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
- Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and the ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to implement and embed policies and procedures
- Ability to exploit and negotiate opportunities to enhance service delivery
Qualifications
- A good standard of education with excellent literacy and numeracy skills
- Educated to degree level in healthcare or business
- Associate Member of IGPM in view of becoming a full member (MIGPM)
- AMSPAR qualification (L5 in Primary Care and Health Management)
Experience
- Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of working with the general public
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting
- NHS or general practice experience
- HR understanding and experience
- Experience of chairing meetings, producing agendas and minutes
- Experience of performance management, including appraisal writing, staff development and disciplinary procedures
- Experience of successfully developing and implementing projects
- Understanding of Health and Safety requirements
- Experience of health and safety requirements and needs within a small business
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.
If you believe you have the skills, experience, and ambition to succeed in this role, we would love to hear from you.
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