At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business operations and drive positive change in a busy GP practice.
- Company: Fairfield Park Health Centre, a friendly and dynamic GP practice in Bath.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with bonus options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to staff wellbeing and patient care.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transformation and make a real impact on healthcare delivery.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Fairfield Park Health Centre is looking for an ambitious, capable Practice Business Manager to lead our business and operational functions at a genuinely exciting time for the practice. We're in the middle of some real, positive change: modernising our pay structure, sharpening up our systems, and preparing confidently for our next CQC inspection. We need someone with the drive and the know-how to help lead that change, and to build a thriving practice. This isn't a caretaking role. You'll set direction, shape how we work, and lead a small management team to deliver it, working hand in hand with our GP partners to turn strategic priorities into practical progress on the ground.
Main duties of the job
- Lead business planning and performance.
- Take charge of HR across the practice.
- Modernise our systems and processes.
- Work with our Finance Manager on financial systems and business development.
- Own our CQC inspection readiness.
- Represent the practice with the PCN, ICB, and other partners.
About us
Fairfield Park Health Centre is a busy, friendly GP practice in Bath, caring for around 14,500 patients with a team of 50 great people across clinical and non-clinical roles. The practice is currently working through a period of positive organisational development, including a pay structure review, CQC inspection readiness, and a renewed focus on staff wellbeing following a practice-wide listening exercise. You'll be joining at a moment where the groundwork for real change has already been laid, and what we need now is someone to lead it forward.
Job responsibilities
The Practice Business Manager provides overall business leadership for Fairfield Park Health Centre: setting direction, developing the practice's systems and processes, leading its people functions, and building a financially sustainable practice for the long term. The role leads a small management team and works closely with the GP partners to translate strategic priorities into practical delivery. The role carries particular responsibility for continuing the practice's CQC inspection readiness work, embedding the pay structure changes, and supporting the practice as a whole through a demanding period of transformation, all with a compassionate approach to people management.
Leadership, Business Planning and Systems Development
- Provide overall leadership of business planning, including monitoring practice performance against QOF, enhanced services, and other contractual and national requirements.
- Lead the ongoing development of practice systems and processes, ensuring they are modern, efficient, and fit for purpose.
- Lead and support the practice's management team, delegating operational and specialist delivery while retaining oversight of standards and outcomes.
- Ensure all practice systems are used effectively to support safe patient care and good information management.
People and HR Management
- Provide overall HR leadership across the practice, working closely with the team on day-to-day matters.
- Develop modern, fit-for-purpose HR policies and processes, reflecting current legislation and good practice.
- Apply practice HR policies consistently and fairly.
- Lead recruitment and induction across the practice.
- Maintain a compassionate approach to staff issues, addressing concerns early, directly, and positively.
Finance and Business Sustainability
- Work with the Finance Manager to modernise financial systems and processes, and to develop robust annual budgets.
- Provide regular financial reporting and analysis to partners to support decision-making.
- Support implementation of the new pay banding structure.
- Lead on business development, identifying funding streams, enhanced services, and efficiencies that build the practice's financial sustainability for the long term.
Compliance, Quality and CQC Readiness
- Hold overall responsibility for CQC inspection readiness.
- Ensure the practice meets its obligations under health and safety, safeguarding, information governance, and employment law.
- Lead on incident reporting, significant event analysis, and complaints handling.
- Keep practice policies under regular review and ensure staff are aware of and trained on them.
Strategic and Partnership Support
- Work closely with the partners to implement the practice's action plan and priorities.
- Provide accurate, timely information and recommendations to support partner decision-making.
- Represent the practice in dealings with the PCN, ICB, and other external and system-wide stakeholders.
- Support a positive, open working culture across the practice, in keeping with the practice's approach to people management.
Working Relationships
The Practice Business Manager reports to the GP partners and leads the practice's management team.
Person Specification
- Clear, confident communicator, able to work well with GPs, clinical staff, and non-clinical teams alike.
- Sound, practical judgement, able to prioritise across competing operational demands.
- A genuinely compassionate and fair approach to managing people, comfortable addressing issues directly.
- Well organised, with strong attention to detail, particularly in relation to compliance and financial matters.
- Resilient and calm under pressure, with the confidence to lead a team through a period of change.
- IT literate, with the ability to learn practice-specific systems such as SystmOne.
Experience
- Experience in an operational management role, ideally within primary care, the wider NHS, or another regulated care setting.
- Experience of line managing staff, including handling HR issues fairly and confidently.
- Experience of budget management and financial reporting.
- Direct experience of CQC inspection processes and evidence preparation.
Qualifications
- Good general education, including numeracy and literacy to a standard that supports financial and written reporting.
- Masters-level qualification in business, management, or leadership, or equivalent significant experience.
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.
Depending on experience, competitive with bonus options.
Practice Business Manager employer: Fairfield Park Health Centre
Fairfield Park Health Centre is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the beautiful city of Bath. With a strong focus on employee development and collaboration, you will have the opportunity to lead meaningful change while working alongside dedicated professionals committed to delivering high-quality healthcare. The practice fosters a culture of innovation and support, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally as you contribute to the centre's growth and sustainability.
Contact Details:
Fairfield Park Health Centre Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Business Manager
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We think you need these skills to ace Practice Business Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in health sciences administration, it's super important to spotlight any relevant experience you have in healthcare settings. Whether you've worked in a hospital, a clinic, or any related environment, make sure to detail those roles in your CV – focusing on your responsibilities and achievements that align with the job at Fairfield Park Health Centre.
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Craft a Meaningful Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the health sciences field and your eagerness to contribute to Fairfield Park Health Centre. Share a bit about why you’re drawn to this sector, any impactful situations or challenges you’ve encountered, and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in health sciences administration. This personal touch can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Documents to the Job:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role. Highlight any certifications you have relevant to health administration, and ensure you clearly connect your previous roles to the skills needed for the full-time position at Fairfield Park Health Centre. This way, you're showing them you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fairfield Park Health Centre
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
In health sciences administration, being organised is key. Make sure you can demonstrate your skills in managing schedules, paperwork, and data accurately. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like electronic health record systems or scheduling software, and how they improved efficiency in your past experiences.
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance is crucial. Brush up on HIPAA, GDPR, or other relevant policies before your interview. We recommend preparing examples of how you've ensured compliance or handled sensitive information in past roles—this will show you're not just knowledgeable but also responsible.
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Interviews for administrative roles often involve scenario-based questions to assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to common situations you might face, such as dealing with a challenging patient or managing a sudden schedule change. This will not only demonstrate your ability to think on your feet but also highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Align Your Goals with the Organisation
As a full-time candidate, employers will want to know how your long-term career goals align with their mission. Take some time to research Fairfield Park Health Centre’s values and be ready to tie your passion for health sciences administration into their objectives. Demonstrating enthusiasm and career alignment can be a game-changer in this competitive field!
