practice manager in Rochdale

A unique opportunity has arisen for a well organised, dynamic individual to join our business at a critical time in its development in the role of Senior Practice Manager. You will be based in our modern offices within the borough of Rochdale but expected to travel frequently to our GP practices.

You will provide leadership to RHA practice managers, ensuring compliance with NHS contractual obligations, adherence to CQC regulations, and key business objectives. As a member of the senior management team, the postholder will ensure compliance with governance, health and safety and other regulatory requirements across all business activities.

• Provide support, guidance, coaching and mentoring to practice managers.
• Engage with performance, support and conduct training, and identify development needs working in partnership with the Primary Care Academy team.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and communicative work environment.
• Handle conflict resolution and performance issues.
• Support the GP practice PMs to ensure staff have regular compassionate managerial supervision and an annual appraisal.
• Identify and implement areas for collaborative working across GP practices and RHA core activities.
• Work and support board directors and nominated members of SMT to develop and explore innovative, cost-efficient GP practice‑based systems and services.
• Support board and SMT in exploring and developing new business opportunities.
• Be line managed by the lead board director for IG, IT and CQC unless notified otherwise.
• Be the registered CQC manager for the organisation.
• Work with HR to ensure practices and core RHA contracts are compliant with all regulatory and professional standards.
• Review, support and, if necessary, respond to patient complaints and significant events as required to support practice PMs.
• Review and ensure compliance with governance, quality, and business performance standards.
• Undertake regular audits, risk assessments and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Contribute to and implement RHA strategic plans, objectives and service development initiatives.
• Oversee CQC readiness for all sites within the organisation, including identification and escalation of any gaps to the relevant senior manager.
• Manage the CQC tool to evidence readiness and compliance.
• Provide on‑site managerial support to RHA GP practices when the PMs are absent or unavailable.

• Educated to GCSE standard grade 4 and above including Maths and English (or equivalent).
• Evidence of and commitment to personal and professional development.
• Management or Leadership qualification, e.g., ILM Leadership and Management Level 2.
• Experience of working in a primary care environment and familiarity with GP practice IT systems such as EMIS, Docman, e‑consult and CQRS/PCSE.
• Experience of CQC, professional bodies and other regulatory requirements, including preparing a CQC presentation and having led and passed at least one CQC site inspection.
• Experience of complaints management and incident reviews.
• Experience of handling situations of potential conflict.
• Experience of managing and developing a diverse workforce.
• Experience of working at a senior level within an organisation.
• Experience of handling highly confidential information.
• Experience of working in a fast‑paced GP practice.
• Experience of handling and resolving conflict.
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office packages.
• Excellent leadership, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and patient in stressful situations.
• Ability to interpret data and present information.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in a team.
• Excellent written, verbal and listening skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality and compassion.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and confidentiality in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in change management processes.
• Experience in interpreting and implementing national and local policy initiatives.
• Shows resilience and ability to adapt to change.
• Highly professional and acts as a role‑model.
• Willingness to be hands‑on to support business needs when required.
• Ability to travel to locations across Greater Manchester as required.
• Ability to work unsocial hours on occasions (with advance notification).

Rochdale Health Alliance is a GP federation formed in 2016, delivering primary care services to the boroughs of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR). Core business activities include supporting member practices with a range of core activities such as providing in‑hours, extended hours and weekend clinical services, supporting primary care nursing in our networks together with the homeless and transient communities. The organisation also manages GP practices across HMR and Bolton. Our bespoke primary care academy provides CPD accredited training to the primary care workforce as well as hosting a variety of student placements and summer school opportunities for aspiring medical students.