Lincluden Medical Centre
Uddingston
Lanarkshire
Appointment of a
Practice Manager
Further Information for Applicants
Please apply with a copy of your C.V. by e-mail to:
neil.doherty@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Application Closing Date: 24/5/2015
Interviews planned to commence week beginning: 25/5/15
The Practice Philosophy and the Partners
Lincluden Medical Practice is a long established medical practice in the suburban town
of Uddingston. The practice covers the communities of Uddingston, Bothwell
Tannochside and Viewpark. Neighbouring practice closure has left the practice as the
sole practice in central Uddingston and with local housing growth we expect the
practice list to continue to grow. It is currently around 7700.
The practice currently has six partners and one salaried GP. The practice ethos is that
of a strong close knit practice team, maintaining high standards of patient care. The
Doctors are keen and willing to give new ideas a try and are not afraid of change. The
practice has adapted well to changing medical contracts and has achieved full QOF
points and high patient satisfaction scores. We use the Vision clinical system and are a
pilot practice. Dr Thomson is the GP IT Advisor for Lanarkshire and chair of the
National GP IT Change Advisory Board and the practice is an early adopter and testing
site for IT initiatives. The practice works as a supportive and democratic organisation.
Many of the doctors and staff live within the community they serve. It is apparent that
the partners communicate well with each other and their staff and consequently staff
turnover is low. The practice has a good relationship with neighbouring practices and
the practice manager attends local manager groups. The practice operates under a
General Medical Services (GMS) contract
We currently practise from our owned premises. In July 2015 we are moving to new
rented purpose build premises. The practice sees many opportunities for service
redesign and development in our long awaited spacious new premises and
management of practice development and response to any GP services contractual
change as part of Health and Social Care Integration will be a substantial
responsibility of the new manager.
Services offered to patients
In addition to the wide variety of medical services provided by all general practices,
the surgery also provides a range of services for chronic disease management.
Partners have special interests in dermatology, diabetes, family planning and child
health. We have 3 practice nurses and one health care assistant/phlebotomist. We
also manage two local care homes and an intermediate care home delivered under
enhanced services contracts. Our ability to develop our services has been limited by
space constraints which will be resolved in the new premises.
The Person We Are Seeking
The principal areas of responsibility and the qualities required of the manager can be
seen from the job description attached to this profile. The practice philosophy
identified above gives a further indication of the kind of person being sought.
In addition, it should be explained that the current manager is relocating to a practice
close to his home. He has been with the practice for 4 years and has instituted a range
a modern business and office practices as well as overseeing the new premises
development. This later task will be complete by July 2015 and we are now seeking to
make further incremental improvements and have an agile response to any business
needs . This is a happy practice and has a strong, committed team and as such the
new Practice Manager will be expected to understand this and fit in with the team and
ethos. There have been a number of office staff retirals in the last year and an essential
responsibility will be in continued staff development.
It is not an essential requirement that the person appointed has NHS or practice
management experience, nor be an expert in every area. However, candidates are
expected to bring strong interpersonal skills and be experienced and confident in the
areas of people management, information technology, financial control, strategic
management and human resource issues. We have a deputy manager who has a wide
range of IT skills and who can initially provide support with the GP IT system.
Maintaining and developing our position as IT leading practice in Lanarkshire is an
important responsibility.
Medical practice business management has grown in importance over the last few
years. The need to ensure that the practice is financially efficient, has well-trained,
well motivated staff, and complies with an increasing range of health and safety and
other legislation, is as important as ensuring the continuing provision of good patient
care. A good, versatile manager is an essential part of today’s successful practice.
This role has at least two dimensions. On the one hand, the manager will be expected
to have an operational role to ensure, often through delegation to others, that the
day-to-day running of the practice is carried out efficiently and effectively, and this
will be a major focus of the work. On the other hand, he/she will need to look beyond
today’s challenges and assimilate any forthcoming changes in the NHS
and the impact they may have on the practice. It is expected that the newly
appointed manager will be comfortable looking strategically, exploring new ways of
working, suggesting options for change and being prepared to push the boundaries of
established thinking.
All potential applicants should be able to identify with the values and philosophy of
the practice and the role as outlined in these papers. Whilst being an integral part of
the team, you will need to feel confident enough at times to use your skills of
persuasion and direction to ensure that the business of the practice is carried forward
efficiently. The Partners are looking for someone to demonstrate strong leadership,
and someone who can ensure the existing team spirit and practice ethos and
communication remains intact. They would also be looking for someone to look
forward and plan for the future maximising the practice’s potential in relation to the
business efficiency and quality and range of patient care.
Every opportunity for training will be given to help the incoming manager develop the
necessary skills and knowledge to undertake this role to the best of his/her ability.
The post has the attraction of relative long-term security.
We are seeking a candidate who can start work with us around August 2015. We plan
a period of handover where the new manager can work in tandem with our existing
manager. This will allow time for training if required and for the incoming manager to
have protected time to bed into the role.
This is a full time 37.5 hour a week role. There is a requirement for some flexibility for
example to attend business meetings or facilitate work on the building or IT systems
outside normal working hours. However the position holder will be expected to
manage their own time and can expect reciprocal flexibility from the practice.
The Principal Contract Terms

The role will attract a salary within the agenda for Change Bands 7 to 8
dependent on experience. This will be paid monthly and, after a satisfactory
probationary period, will be reviewed annually.

This has been a full-time post of 37.5 hours per week.

The working days will be Monday to Friday.

Annual leave entitlement will be 25 days plus all statutory and bank holidays.

Access will be available to the NHS pension scheme.

There will be a standard contract of employment which, after the probationary
period, will be subject to 3 months notice on either side.

The contract will provide for a six-month period of mutual assessment, during
which time the period of notice will be 4 weeks on either side.
Job Description – Practice Manager
JOB TITLE:
RESPONSIBLE TO:
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
JOB PURPOSE:
PRACTICE MANAGER
GP/Partners
All staff
 To ensure the effective and efficient management of the practice.
 To lead and develop individual/team and practice performance
 To provide day-to-day management of all staff within the Practice.
 To ensure the profitability and efficiency of the Practice, in line with
NHS, Partners and legislative guidelines.
 To provide general guidance to the Partners on any NHS
developments and legislative changes that may affect the general
management of the Practice.
 To ensure compliance with all current Health and Safety and
Employment legislation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Leadership and Management of the Practice team and function as a whole.
Development and preparation of Practice financial management reports and business plans
for the Partners.
Day-to-day financial management of the Practice
Provide strategic management for the practice to ensure an effective long term plan and
appropriate business training and support to the medical partners
Continual review of practice systems to ensure optimal delivery of patient services
Overall responsibility for the HR functions for all staff.
Including recruitment, training, appraisals, contracts of employment, current legislation and
payroll and pension scheme arrangements.
Develop and maintain effective communication between teams within the Practice to ensure
a high standard of information flow within the Practice
Ensure that all training, development and induction of all staff members are undertaken in
line with practice policies and procedures, ensuring ongoing reviews are undertaken
Development, implementation and review of practice policies and procedures
Attendance and chair of Practice/Partner meetings, ensuring sharing of Practice
development information.
Represent the practice at external meetings with Primary Care Trust, Solicitors, Accountants
and any other relevant organisations.
Overall responsibility for dealing with patient complaints
Overall responsibility for ensuring that buildings, services and facilities are effectively
maintained.
Overall responsibility for Practice equipment maintenance, testing, repairs and security in
line with legislative and insurance requirements .
Responsible for implementing Buildings Insurance, legal business requirements and
appropriate Sickness/Locum insurance.
To oversee the arrangements for locum cover within the practice, including carrying out
clearance procedures and organising information packs.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically after review and
consultation. You will also be expected to carry out any reasonable duties which may be
requested from time-to-time.
Work safely at all times in accordance with Legislative requirements and Practice Policy and
Procedures.