Practice Manager

Green Apple Dental; West of England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Apple Dental is seeking a Practice Manager to lead the Thornbury clinic and support a developing multi-site group. You will oversee NHS UDA performance, compliance with CQC standards, financial management, and staff leadership to ensure high-quality patient care.

The role requires strong knowledge of NHS contracts, experience in risk management and KPI reporting, and the ability to grow private income while maintaining clinic administration and patient experience across NHS and private

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Practice Manager within NHS dental or healthcare setting.
• Strong understanding of NHS dental contracts and UDA/UOA system.
• Experience managing CQC compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Financial acumen with budget control and KPI reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily practice operations, rotas, and patient flow across NHS and private clinics.
• Manage P&L, controllable costs and budgets; report on KPI including UDA delivery.
• Grow private income through plan conversions and cosmetic referrals.
• Maintain compliance calendars, audits, DBS checks and staff training records.
• Coordinate with central functions (finance, HR, procurement) for multi-site operations.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

NHS contracting knowledge

Regulatory compliance

People management

Tools

SOE/EXACT

NHSBSA Compass

Job description

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