How to Become a Healthcare Manager
Whether they’re running GP surgeries, overseeing public health initiatives or managing million pound budgets, healthcare managers play a vital role in the UK’s National Health Service. This challenging role requires dedication, experience and skill.
Have you got what it takes to become a healthcare manager? Here’s our mini guide to the essentials.
What Is a Healthcare Manager?
Health care managers commission and deliver healthcare to their local community. You’ll find them managing your local hospital, running your GP surgery and leading all kinds of community health services. Becoming a manager is rewarding but also demanding, as it involves balancing spending targets, advances in medical technology and public expectations.
What Qualifications Do Healthcare Managers Need?
While most healthcare management roles require some formal qualifications, there are entry points at all levels.
With GCSEs
You can start as a healthcare administrator and work your way up. Entry-level posts usually require 4-5 GCSES at grades 9-4 or equivalent level 2 qualifications. If you have previous clerical experience you may still be considered.
With A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
You could start at a higher administrative level, become a supervisor then go into management. Taking advantage of internal training will help you to progress more quickly and you could even explore the option of doing a higher apprenticeship in business administration or a related field.
With a bachelor's degree
The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme aims to produce the directors and chief executives of the future. This highly competitive 2 year scheme includes placements, assignments and a postgraduate qualification such as a master’s degree. You’ll even get the chance to shadow chief executives and attend board meetings.
If you land a place on the scheme, you’ll specialise in one of six areas of management:
Once you’ve completed your graduate program you may be able to apply for junior management jobs immediately. Alternatively, you could join the NHS in an administrative role and gain supervision experience before moving into a management position.
With management experience
If you’ve already gained management experience in the private sector or in another public organisation, you may be able to join the NHS at a similar level. Professional qualifications are often required, so if you’re hoping to work in HR management for example, you may be expected to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
With NHS work experience
The NHS Leadership Academy runs a variety of leadership programmes aimed at staff who are already working in a healthcare setting. Check out the website for details.
What Do Healthcare Managers Do?
Clinical Managers
They lead departments or multidisciplinary teams in a particular healthcare field like maternity services or NHS 111.
Typical responsibilities include:
Estates and Facilities Managers
They manage buildings and the systems that keep them running.
Typical responsibilities include:
Finance Managers
Typical responsibilities include:
General Managers
Job roles vary but all roles involve managing people, resources and budgets.
Typical responsibilities include:
Human Resources Managers
They develop and implement policies to recruit, retain and develop staff.
Typical HR responsibilities include:
Operational Managers
They organise and coordinate services and resources.
Typical responsibilities include:
Practice Managers
They are responsible for the smooth running of a particular medical practice.
Typical responsibilities involve:
What Do Healthcare Managers Earn?
Annual salaries for NHS managers usually begin at band 6 or 7. The most senior roles begin at band 9.
Here are a few examples of the starting salaries involved:
If we’ve convinced you to consider a career in healthcare management, you can find out more about the career paths on offer by visiting the NHS Health Careers website.
But don’t go anywhere until you’ve checked out our superb range of healthcare management courses.
