Service Manager

Service Managers are responsible for the financial, strategic and daily operations of running a hospital, GP practice or community health service.

You will manage the cost, delivery and quality of health care services. The work you do varies depending on the area you specialise in. For example, you could manage an ambulance service, GP practice or community health service team, be responsible for a division of staff and a multi-million pound budget in a hospital trust, or manage mental health services across many sites.

Service Manager is also known as Health Service Manager, Hospital Manager, NHS Hospital Manager, Clinical Service Manager.

Role Characteristics

Oversee the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organisation, a specific unit or a service area
Gather and analyse data, using it to plan and manage both projects and systems
Implement new policies and directives
Manage the recruitment, selection, appraisal and development of staff Implement policies and ensure government guidelines are followed
Manage service financial budgets across all staff within the service and that appropriate cost improvement measures are upheld
Lead on the development of reports and presentations to provide operational assurance at various committees and meetings

Skills

Delegating
Managing people
Organisation
Planning
Problem-solving
Decision-making

Day in the life

Watch this video to learn about the role of a Clinical Service Manager.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

A-Levels

Degree apprenticeship

How to become

There are a variety of training and education routes into roles in Service Management including applying directly, apprenticeships and undergraduate degree programmes.

You will normally need 5 GCSEs including English and maths. You will normally need either A-Levels, BTEC or T-Levels depending on your preference in learning.

If you decide to undertake a degree you might consider Business or Business Management which could be helpful in this role. After your degree, you might be interested in applying for an NHS Graduate Scheme in Management.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

You could apply to become a member of the Institute of Health & Social Care Management. This would give you access to training and development opportunities and professional recognition.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

You could complete a Masters in Business Management and develop into a more senior position. With time in service and experience you could apply for jobs like Head of Department or Director.