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You could enter a career in practice management from a range of different backgrounds. You don't necessarily need to be a qualified healthcare professional. Qualifications and experience required will vary, but you’ll usually need a management qualification, and a proven experience of motivating people. Experience of working in the NHS/general practice experience can be an advantage.

Terms and conditions vary for practice managers. Most are employed directly by the partners of the practice but some practices run on Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions. Your pay and conditions of employment are determined by a number of different factors including the number of patients registered with the practice, the number of sites it operates from, and your level of responsibility within the management structure.

To work in practice management, you’ll typically need excellent financial skills, the ability to manage a changing environment, good communication skills, leadership and motivational skills, organisational skills, a willingness to work with others and respect their views, confidence with information technology, negotiating skills, the ability to challenge the way things are and find better alternatives, honesty and fairness in dealing with other people and a commitment to the ideals of quality and fairness in delivering healthcare.

With further training and experience, you will be able to develop your career in a number of directions, depending on how your practice is set up. You could work in a management role within your Primary Care Network (PCN ), or get involved in the work of your local integrated care board (ICB), looking at the care needs of a bigger population. Your employer may also offer you the opportunity to become a managing partner.