Project manager
NHS project managers set up and lead projects that are vital to patient care being of the highest possible standard.
Working life
You’ll be responsible for the planning, delivery and implementation of a new policy or service. You'll manage each step of this including planning, budgets, risk assessment and planning.
Staff will work on a broad range of projects in the NHS. Job roles and titles are varied but examples include:
Primary care development manager
You would work closely with GP practices to develop new ways of working in order to improve patient access and patient experience. You may work in a clinical commissioning group [1] (CCG) or commissioning support unit (CSU) and coach, facilitate and share good practice across the region.
Specific duties may include:
- managing the rollout of local projects and programmes
- responsibility for the monitoring and analysis of primary care [2] access data
- development and implementation of a local referral management initiatives.
You might be tasked to review services in specific clinical settings and map the workforce needed to deliver this. You will work with stakeholders such as local health providers, workforce planners and local education and training boards.
The role of a project director will really depend on the area and setting they are working in.
For example, a project director working in a CCG or CSU could lead on a strategic review of services across primary and secondary care [3] resulting in concrete plans for a major reconfiguration and development of services.
This type of post would be responsible for handling all aspects of the work, from ensuring a full review of health needs is delivered, along with clinical engagement in service reviews, to briefing local politicians and the media and ensuring significant patient and public involvement throughout the project.
Want to learn more?
- Find out more about the entry requirements, skills and interests required to enter a career in project management [4]
- Find out more about the training you’ll receive for a career in project management [5]