Job summary
We are seeking a capable and organised Practice Operations Manager to support the day-to-day running of our rural practice based in Debenham, with branch sites at Otley and Grundisburgh.
This role would suit someone who is:
- Well organised and able to maintain oversight of multiple operational priorities
- Calm and measured when managing operational pressures
- Able to prioritise effectively and make balanced decisions
- Comfortable working with a wide range of staff across clinical and non-clinical teams
- Reliable and consistent in following through on agreed actions
- A clear and confident communicator
- Comfortable working with IT systems and digital tools
Substantial experience in an operational management role is essential, including responsibility for managing staff and coordinating operational processes across a service, department or site.
About us
Debenham Practice is part of Suffolk Primary Care, a group of GP practices working together to provide high-quality accessible local services.
We aim to provide a well-run and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and clinicians can focus on delivering excellent patient care.
This role carries real responsibility and will suit someone who takes satisfaction in ensuring systems run reliably and services are well organised.
Effective operational leadership in primary care is often calm, consistent and dependable. That is exactly what we are looking for.
Main duties of the job
You will be part of Suffolk Primary Care, a group of practices working together. While your main focus will be the Debenham practice and branch sites, you will work closely with SPC shared teams including HR, Finance and Estates, as well as other managers across the organisation.
This is a practical operational leadership role focused on ensuring the practice runs effectively and reliably day to day. You will work closely with GP Partners, the Locality Manager and team leads to ensure systems are organised, staff are supported and services operate safely and smoothly.
You will take responsibility for coordinating the operational aspects of the practice, maintaining oversight of day-to-day activity and ensuring that issues are identified early and addressed in a timely and pragmatic way.
Your work will help ensure clinicians can focus on patient care while staff feel supported, informed and able to work effectively.
Experience in primary care or healthcare would be highly desirable, but is not essential.
You will also bring an interest in how services develop and improve over time, with the confidence to contribute ideas and support the partners and locality manager in shaping the direction of the practice.
About us
Suffolk Primary Care (SPC) is a forward-thinking partnership of GP surgeries across Suffolk. Our collaborative approach enables doctors and staff to share resources, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Benefits of Working with SPC
NHS Pension Scheme:
- Defined benefits scheme
- Life insurance
- Family benefits, including adult dependents & children's pensions
- Ill health benefits
- 23.7% employer contribution
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme:
- Low monthly payments, no deposit, no credit check
- Fully comprehensive insurance, servicing, tyres & breakdown cover
- Up to £2,000 annual SPC contribution (subject to conditions)
Additional Benefits:
- Eye care vouchers
- Health service discounts, including a complimentary Blue Light Card for new starters
- Minimum 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) for full-time employees, with enhancements for long service
- Enhanced maternity & paternity terms
- High street discounts via our online portal
- Salary sacrifice schemes for technology, homewares (Currys, John Lewis, Decathlon), cycling, and gym memberships
At SPC, we invest in our staffs professional growth and well-being, fostering a positive work environment that benefits both our team and the communities we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for the operational coordination of the practice, including:
- Oversight of access and staffing arrangements to ensure patient demand is managed effectively
- Supporting reception, administration, nursing and dispensary teams in the day-to-day running of services
- Monitoring operational pressures and helping resolve issues before they escalate
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding and staff development
- Supporting complaints management and governance processes
- Supporting Partners and the Locality Manager in planning and developing services locally
- Contributing to operational and financial planning for the practice
- Identifying opportunities to improve services, systems and patient access
- Ensuring the practice functions effectively as a whole across all sites
You will not be responsible for supervising clinical work,
but you will ensure the systems, staffing and processes that support clinical
care operate safely and effectively.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for the operational coordination of the practice, including:
- Oversight of access and staffing arrangements to ensure patient demand is managed effectively
- Supporting reception, administration, nursing and dispensary teams in the day-to-day running of services
- Monitoring operational pressures and helping resolve issues before they escalate
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding and staff development
- Supporting complaints management and governance processes
- Supporting Partners and the Locality Manager in planning and developing services locally
- Contributing to operational and financial planning for the practice
- Identifying opportunities to improve services, systems and patient access
- Ensuring the practice functions effectively as a whole across all sites
You will not be responsible for supervising clinical work,
but you will ensure the systems, staffing and processes that support clinical
care operate safely and effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in an operational management role, including responsibility for managing staff and coordinating operational processes across a service or department
- Demonstrable ability to organise and oversee day-to-day operational activity within a complex working environment
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing operational demands
- Ability to maintain oversight of multiple workstreams and ensure tasks are completed reliably
- Clear and confident written and verbal communication
- Good working knowledge of IT systems and digital tools
- Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and information governance
- Ability to exercise calm sound judgement and make balanced pragmatic decisions
Desirable
- Experience working within primary care or a healthcare setting
- Knowledge of SystmOne or similar clinical systems
- Experience in operational workforce planning
- Experience managing complaints, service issues or complex situations
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- We are looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Professional integrity, discretion and sound judgement
- A calm and measured approach, particularly when managing operational pressures
- Reliability and consistency in following through on agreed actions
- Respect for professional boundaries and different areas of expertise
- Fairness and consistency in decision-making
- The ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive professional way
- A commitment to maintaining a positive and supportive working environment
- This role requires someone who is comfortable taking responsibility for ensuring that operational processes run reliably across the practice and that staff are supported to work effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in an operational management role, including responsibility for managing staff and coordinating operational processes across a service or department
- Demonstrable ability to organise and oversee day-to-day operational activity within a complex working environment
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing operational demands
- Ability to maintain oversight of multiple workstreams and ensure tasks are completed reliably
- Clear and confident written and verbal communication
- Good working knowledge of IT systems and digital tools
- Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and information governance
- Ability to exercise calm sound judgement and make balanced pragmatic decisions
Desirable
- Experience working within primary care or a healthcare setting
- Knowledge of SystmOne or similar clinical systems
- Experience in operational workforce planning
- Experience managing complaints, service issues or complex situations
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- We are looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Professional integrity, discretion and sound judgement
- A calm and measured approach, particularly when managing operational pressures
- Reliability and consistency in following through on agreed actions
- Respect for professional boundaries and different areas of expertise
- Fairness and consistency in decision-making
- The ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive professional way
- A commitment to maintaining a positive and supportive working environment
- This role requires someone who is comfortable taking responsibility for ensuring that operational processes run reliably across the practice and that staff are supported to work effectively.
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.
