About the role
NHS managers are located either at a clinical practice establishment, for example, a hospital, GP Clinic or a standalone office complex such as those occupied by Primary Care Trusts (PCTS), Strategic Health Authority (SHA) or the Department of Health in London. Typical managerial tasks include:
- Reviewing periodic performance information and data and comparing results with budgets and targets. Carry out variance analysis for improvement potential
- Daily informal discussions with clinical and non-clinical staff
- Implementing and/or modifying health care programmes
- Developing staff by continuous planning, monitoring, support and assessment
The vast majority of NHS managers work in defined disciplines – clinical management; estates and facilities management; finance; general management; GP practice; health informatics management; human resources; operations; strategy & planning
EMPLOYABILITY
There is a strong sense that managerial roles in NHS healthcare are that bit different. For a start, you will be working in the largest company in Europe with 1.3 million employees – which means lots of bureaucracy. And because human lives are involved, protocols and guidelines are usually set in stone – there is no way of personalising your job or being a maverick. Aspiring trainee managers need to show evidence of
- A strong level of patience and acceptance of bureaucracy
- Team player par excellence, an ability to collaborate effectively
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Good listening skills and the ability to negotiate with and persuade others
- Motivation and interest in the sector. Identification with values and aims of the NHS
- A transparent patient/customer focus
CAREER ENTRY
The NHS Graduate management training scheme is open to internal and external graduates of all disciplines. In England, there are four specialisms: general management, human resource management, informatics management and finance management. Each requires a minimum 2.2 degree classification in any subject; or an alternative equivalent health or management-related qualification. A full list of accepted qualifications is available online from the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme at NHS Leadership Programmes but note that the website is closed for applications between November and August.
EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES
The National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in Europe, with 1.37 million staff providing services to approximately 60 million people. In 2008, there was a 9.4% increase in the number of managers. Managers may work in one of the around 500 NHS organisations in England alone, covering four main areas:
- Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)
- Secondary Care, including NHS hospital trusts
- Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs)
- Department of Health (DOH)
| Entry Level Trainee | £21,176 | Band 5 (excluding London allowance) |
| First substantive post salary | £25, 472 | Band 6 |
| Senior roles up to | £97,478 | Band 9 |
| Chief Executive Large DGH | £150,000+ |
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