Aspiring Practice Managers

This development programme is designed specifically for Aspiring Practice Managers or Managers that would like to ‘brush up’ on their understanding of management processes.

The programme is a mix of reflective discussions, theoretical input, and 1:1 coaching; all brought together to make real life experiences, lived and shared through an improvement lens.

Training Delivery Model

The programme is a mixture of on-line learning, blended with taught face to face (F2F) sessions. Each session has a mixture of practical/interactive exercises. All learners on the programme have access to 1:1 coaching input throughout the programme virtually. Learners are strongly encouraged to utilise this as a support network to embed and deepen the learning and to test their own understanding of the theories and approaches covered.

The Key Deliverables

1:1 coaching support will be given to embed the learning and consider the learner's further personal development.
Level 1: Essential workshops
Level 2: Optional workshops
A final feedback report will be provided for each learner by their coach

1:1 Coaching

Our 1 to 1 Coaching is invaluable to help the learner move forward and improve themselves. Our experienced training managers will act as guides that provide a roadmap through the many challenges in healthcare. The training manager will become a coaching friend to help the learners achieve their goals, have greater confidence, improve work performance and build effective leadership /communication skills which lead to greater job satisfaction.

We recommend a one hour coaching session prior to the training programme, mid-way and at the end of the training programme – these will be held virtually.

Each learner will be given a detailed final report by their coach.

Kick Off Session

Establish coaching relationship/Contracting.
Establish Coachee’s goal and reality using the GROW model
Understand Coachee preferred learning style, using Honey and Mumford’s or VARK models to support coaches learning through the programme
Introduce Coachee to reflective practice and journaling to record progress toward goal in-between sessions.

Midway Session

Review journal and reflections with Coachee.
Coachee to establish options using the GROW model to support their learning and overall achievements on the programme
Reflect on progress to date
Identify any obstacles and agree how to overcome these/ support required.
Agree further actions to be reviewed in the last session.

Final Session

Review journal and reflections with Coachee
Review Coachee Goal; has the original goal been met?
Coachee to establish ongoing will through the GROW model
Celebrate achievements/career progression
Coach to present Coachee with final report.

Aspiring Practice Managers Essential Workshops

Employment and Contractual Responsibilities: The aim of this workshop is to provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage their employment responsibilities. The workshop will cover the employment contract and the employment relationship as well as taking an in-depth look at contractual responsibilities, including the requirements of employment legislation.

Health and Safety for Primary Care Managers: Develop a clear understanding of the legislation affecting health and safety in primary care and their responsibilities within that. Delegates will learn about the risk management process and the need for risk assessment in key areas of the work in primary care. The key focus of the workshop will be on identifying and reducing the risks – the workshop will be highly interactive and practical, with an emphasis on understanding the problem areas and action planning.

Introduction to Practice Finance and Contracts: The workshop provides grounding in the basics of managing a Practice’s finances. Delegates will gain confidence in how to control cost of the day-to-day operation, whilst at the same time developing an awareness of planning and forecasting skills, to successfully deal with any financial challenges ahead.

Introduction to Practice Management: Begin to understand the key areas for which you will be responsible in the practice. An intensive workshop covering 8 modules:

Workforce Management
Business Planning and Processes
Partnership
Finance
Health and Safety
Unlocking the Potential of IT in the Practice
Involving Patients and Service Delivery
The Future of Primary Care
Practice and Practice Managers Support

Preparing for CQC Inspection: This practical and interactive workshop will ensure that general practice managers and their teams are fully aware of the requirements for CQC compliance and are prepared for their practice’s next inspection. The workshop will also focus on the policies and documents required and the training needs of the team.

This programme was co-designed with the Primary Care Training Hub (North East & North Cumbria – Central locality) and piloted within Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland with fantastic feedback! This has resulted in a further 8 cohorts being commissioned across the region to support the General Practice workforce.

"I would just like to say how good I think this APM Course was, and for anyone interested in becoming a Practice/Business Manager this is a must! I would like to thank Primary Care Training Hub (North East & North Cumbria) for the opportunity and Thornfields for all the material and hard work, it is much appreciated."

"Attending all of the sessions provided me with a well-rounded view of the PM role, I have developed a network of support with my peers on the programme and the knowledge I gained has contributed to a growth in confidence."

Aspiring Practice Managers Optional Workshops

Continuous Improvement Methodologies: The workshop gives delegates a brief practical understanding of the drivers for quality improvement, how to meet quality improvement requirements, and also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement in their organisation.

Fine Tune Your Appraisal Skills: Appraisal is a considerable investment in terms of time and resources for practices. This interactive workshop will provide managers with the skills and tools to reinvigorate their process to ensure that it achieves tangible objectives. The workshop will provide guidance and paperwork to support the creation of appraisals, including team-based appraisal and using a 360° approach.

Handling Difficult Conversations: The aim of this workshop is to provide delegates with the skills to deal with difficult people in the workplace. These may be patients, colleagues or other people they meet in work situations. By the end of the workshop delegates will be more confident in their ability to deal with these tricky situations.

Leading People in Health Care: Lead, motivate and inspire – three essential ingredients of exceptional management. The key objective of this workshop is to enable managers to not only master the above, but also look at the effective use of delegation, to plan creative reward systems, and deal with the difficult behaviour that can lower morale and team spirit.

Managing Change in Health Care: Delegates will recognise why managing change is vital to an organisation. Delegates will understand how to communicate change and achieve successful change management, understand the journey, the resistance and the team strategy to keep the team focused, up to date and motivated towards effective change plans.

Partnership Working: The aim of this full-day workshop is to develop understanding and the ability to work effectively with partner organisations to achieve a common goal. By the end of this workshop, delegates will understand the principles of partnership working and how to meet the needs and expectations of partners.

Road Map for Managing Complaints: The purpose of the session is to remind delegates of their Practice's obligations under the NHS complaints regulations of 2009, as well as the NHS constitution. In addition, it gives delegates a practical appreciation of how to meet the “my expectations” principle, which is the basis of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) key lines of enquiry during Practice inspections.

Succession Planning: Succession planning is an important KPI for ICSs. However, it is also important for all organisations, regardless of scale, to appreciate the potential risk to them of losing key individuals. Therefore, they need to plan, in a managed way, to mitigate that risk. This workshop gives delegates an increased understanding of the key principles of succession planning, as well as awareness of some practical tools. It gives delegates a toolkit to plan to ensure the sustained, safe, operational effectiveness of their organisation.

Talent Management: This is a key skill for both ICSs and organisations of all sizes to optimise individual and team performance, because delivering success through people should be an objective of every people manager/leader in any organisation. This workshop gives delegates a brief introduction to Talent Management, together with some practical tools to help them optimise the contribution of individuals within their teams, both for the benefit of themselves and their organisation.