Adnan Saad is a GP Principal at Sheepcot Medical Centre, Watford; Associate Professor at St. George’s University, Grenada; and Clinical Tutor at Imperial College School of Medicine, London.
Most practices at some point may find themselves in a tricky situation of having to look for a new practice manager (PM). This is often because the existing manager is retiring, but can also be due to resignation, maternity leave, or even a new start-up practice needing to employ.
Thankfully, there are several sources one can use to potentially recruit:
1. The best source would be someone working within or around the practice, such as the deputy manager or even a primary care network manager. Some practices have a GP partner working as the PM. The advantage here is that both parties know each other’s strengths and limitations.
2. Using professional network systems with fellow colleagues or other healthcare professionals to help put the word out of the present or upcoming vacancy.
3. Posting on media sites such as the surgery website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. The advantage here is that there is no cost. However, the candidates may already be patients of the practice, and so may have to deregister if successful in applying. Similarly, posting an advert in the local newspaper would incur a cost but would have the added benefit of attracting local applicants.
4. Healthcare-specific platforms can be used, reaching to a wider local applicant, but no doubt may incur costs to the practice. These include:
a. NHS Jobs
b. UKIndeed.com
c. Jobrapido
d. Local intranet job vacancies
5. Medical associations such as a local medical committee or the British Medical Association may also provide useful platforms for finding PMs, the former having the added advantage of reaching to a local cohort of applicants.
6. Healthcare conferences and events — by attending seminars, courses, events, or professional gatherings on topics specifically related to medical administration or management will provide an excellent opportunity to network and meet professionals in this area.
7. Contacting universities or colleges that offer healthcare administration or management programmes would allow you to connect with career centres that can introduce you to potential applicants.
The method the practice finally decides on will, among other factors, depend on its finances and time-frame needed to recruit.
Featured photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash.
