GP practice manager

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• business management skills
• knowledge of English language
• administration skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Business - GP practice managers run the business side of a doctors' surgery, including managing budgets, meeting financial targets, and overseeing day-to-day operations. Understanding business planning, financial management, and organisational strategy is central to keeping a practice running smoothly.
• Accounting - GP practice managers are responsible for making sure the practice meets its financial targets, managing budgets, and handling payroll and expenses. Understanding financial records, cash flow, and how to monitor spending is a key part of the role.
• Mathematics - GP practice managers work with budgets, financial reports, staffing rotas, and stock ordering – all of which require confident number skills. They also analyse data on patient appointments and prescriptions to help the practice run efficiently.
• English Language - GP practice managers write policies, communicate with NHS bodies, and handle correspondence with patients and staff. Clear, professional written and verbal communication is essential for managing a healthcare setting where accuracy really matters.

Also relevant

• Law - GP practice managers need to understand employment law, data protection regulations, and health and safety legislation. They are responsible for making sure the practice complies with legal requirements around patient records, staff contracts, and workplace safety.
• Psychology - GP practice managers lead teams of receptionists, secretaries, and other staff, so understanding what motivates people and how to manage workplace dynamics is valuable. They also need to handle stressful situations calmly, including dealing with upset or frustrated patients.
• Biology - GP practice managers work in a medical environment and benefit from understanding basic health and medical terminology. This helps when managing medical records, liaising with clinical staff, and understanding the services the practice provides.
• Computer Science - GP practice managers oversee digital appointment systems, electronic medical records, and practice management software. Understanding how these systems work at a deeper level – including data security and system configuration – helps when troubleshooting issues or implementing new technology.