Practice Manager

Job Reference: PM0044

Location: Thornbury

Remuneration: Dependent on experience

Description:

Job title: Practice Manager
Reports to: Practice Owner / Group Operations
Location: Dental practice in Thornbury with added site in near future
Contract mix: NHS General Dental Services (UDA-contracted) with a growing private/independent patient base
Hours: Full-time
Salary: dependent on experience

Job Purpose

The Practice Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational, financial, compliance and people management of the practice, ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care within a mixed NHS and private business model. The role requires a confident working knowledge of NHS dental contracting, UDA performance management, and CQC regulatory compliance, alongside strong commercial and leadership skills to grow private income and support the wider multi-site group.

Key Responsibilities

NHS Contract & UDA Management

• Monitor UDA/UOA delivery against contract targets on an ongoing basis, flagging under- or over-performance risk to the practice owner in good time.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within NHSBSA Compass, including contract details, performer schedules, activity reports and Complex Care Pathway declarations.
• Reconcile SOE (Software of Excellence/EXACT) UDA and claims data — including the UDA Health Check report — against NHSBSA Compass, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Support forecasting and year-end UDA reconciliation, minimising clawback risk and maximising contract value.
• Keep abreast of NHS dental contract reform, patient charge bands, and NHSBSA bulletins relevant to practice operations.

CQC & Regulatory Compliance

• Act as (or support) the CQC Registered Manager, ensuring the practice meets all five CQC key lines of enquiry (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led).
• Own the practice's compliance calendar: audits, risk assessments, infection control (HTM 01-05), radiation protection (IRMER/IRR), fire safety and health & safety.
• Maintain up-to-date policies, staff training records, DBS checks, GDC/CPD registrations and CQC statement of purpose.
• Lead on CQC inspection readiness and act as primary point of contact during inspections.
• Manage incident reporting, complaints handling and significant event logs in line with regulatory requirements.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee day-to-day running of the practice, including rotas, appointment book management and patient flow across NHS and private clinics.
• Manage practice P&L, controllable costs and budgets; report on KPIs including UDA delivery, private treatment uptake and patient charge collection.
• Identify and drive opportunities to grow private income (e.g. treatment plan conversion, cosmetic/implant referrals, Denplan or similar plans).
• Manage stock control, supplier relationships and equipment servicing/calibration schedules.
• Liaise with the group's central functions (finance, HR, procurement) as part of a multi-site dental business.

People & HR Management

• Recruit, induct, manage and develop the clinical and support team, including dentists, nurses, hygienists, therapists and reception staff.
• Conduct appraisals, manage performance and handle HR matters (absence, grievance, disciplinary) in line with employment law and group policy.
• Coordinate staff rotas, annual leave and cover arrangements to maintain continuity of NHS and private clinical sessions.
• Foster a positive, patient-focused team culture and lead regular practice meetings.

Patient Experience

• Ensure a consistently high standard of patient care, communication and complaint resolution across both NHS and private pathways.
• Monitor patient feedback (e.g. Friends and Family Test, online reviews) and implement improvements.
• Maintain accurate patient records in line with GDPR and information governance requirements.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience as a Practice Manager (or senior manager) within an NHS dental or wider healthcare setting.
• Sound working knowledge of the NHS dental contract, UDA/UOA system and NHSBSA Compass platform.
• Experience managing CQC compliance, ideally as a registered manager or in close support of one.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and KPI reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Confident using SOE (Software of Excellence/EXACT) practice management software, including NHS Contracts, UDA Health Check and reporting functions.
• Working understanding of employment law, HR processes and health & safety in a clinical environment.

Desirable

• Experience across multiple practice sites or within a dental group structure.
• Track record of growing private/independent income within an NHS practice.
• GDC registration or a clinical dental background (e.g. dental nurse qualification).
• CQC Registered Manager status already held.
• Experience of NHS dental tenders, contract variations or practice acquisitions.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive, close-knit team within a high-quality private practice focused on patient care and professional standards.

Compliance requirements

• Full NHS Performer Number if applicable
• Local Area Team confirmation
• GDC certificate
• UK Blood test report showing Hep B Immunisation and Titre levels, Hep C, HIV and TB results dated within last 5 years
• Indemnity certificate
• Passport
• Enhanced DBS (within the last 12-36 months)
• Clinical references covering places of employment over past 2 years (minimum 2 referees)
• Degree certificate
• CPR/AED/Medical Emergencies certificate dated within the last 12 months
• IRMER
• PIN number

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