Level 4 Dental Practice Manager

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Entry requirements

Individual employers may set any entry requirements but these may typically include:

  • Be aged 16+ at the time of enrolment
  • Be a UK or European Economic Area (EEA), or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past three consecutive years
  • Not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
  • Not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in the same area that you wish to study
  • Apprentices without level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths or an equivalent certificate will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.

What apprentices will learn?

The Practice Manager is responsible for managing all non-clinical aspects within a specified practice/s to achieve excellent patient care, quality, cost and delivery performance in line with practice strategy, goals and values. The Practice Manager leads the team by providing support and direction to enhance performance, skills and knowledge of all practice staff.

The Dental Practice Manager apprenticeship requires development of the following professional behaviours, skills and knowledge:

Knowledge The practice manager will have knowledge of:
Human Resources Policies, procedures and processes for:

  • recruitment, selection, contracts
  • personal/professional development planning (induction and training)
  • performance management (supervision and appraisal)
  • equality, diversity, grievance, discipline, whistleblowing
  • rota management and absence management
Patient Care Clinical frameworks, guidelines and processes for:

  • establishing high quality patient care/customer service standards
  • managing the patient journey
  • managing patient records and databases (updates, recalls, governance)
Clinical
  • understanding and knowledge of all roles within dental team
  • broad understanding of dental diseases
  • understanding and executing of clinical audits
  • understanding of dental terminology
Marketing The market within which the practice operates with regard to:

  • size, share, competitor profile
  • effective strategies for attracting and retaining patients
  • how to represent the practice in the local community
Risk Management Legal and ethical requirements set out by external regulators with particular reference to:

  • General Health and Safety (e.g. facilities, fire)
  • Healthcare Safety (e.g. Infection Control, Waste, Radiation, Medical Emergencies)
  • Information Governance (e.g. confidentiality, information security, data protection, access to records)
Quality Assurance A Registered Manager’s responsibilities to:

  • Establish internal standards (policies & procedures) for high quality care
  • Train the team to meet internal and external standards
  • Implement monitoring systems for continuous improvement e.g. complaints handling, learning from feedback, incidents, complaints
Finance How to collect, use, interpret and report relevant financial data to: – establish budgetary & production targets

  • manage claims and monitor compliance with claim requirements
  • meet the expectations of organisational stakeholders
Dental Industry Requirements for:

  • service delivery and remuneration under the National Health Service
  • service delivery and remuneration for private delivery of dental care
  • local / national changes in dental service delivery
Skills The practice manager will be able to:
Leadership skills Lead (in non-clinical matters) and motivate the practice team effectively by:

  • Understanding the role and responsibilities of a manager
  • Communicating the organisation’s vision and strategy
  • Clarifying & supporting company policies
  • Setting clear goals and expectations
  • Supporting individual personal and professional development
  • Providing mentoring & coaching for individual team members
  • Being able to seek feedback on workplace performance
  • Leading by example
  • Strategic thinking at a local/practice level
Management skills Organise efficient operational practice systems by:

  • setting SMART objectives
  • planning and delegating work
  • allocating resources efficiently to meet deliverables and deadlines
  • monitoring, evaluating and improving individual and team processes
  • developing advanced IT Skills to meet requirements in role (SOE/R4)
Communication Skills Communicate effectively with internal/ external stakeholders (senior management, patients, team, dental reps, colleagues, third parties) when:

  • negotiating
  • presenting internal & external marketing plans and campaigns
  • presenting and interpreting data for Senior Management
  • briefing the work team
  • communicating change
Behaviours The practice manager will demonstrate:
Ethical Integrity and moral leadership

Commitment to the General Dental Council Standards for the Dental Team
Professional An approach which is fair, equitable and credible

Reliability with high standards

A commitment to excellent customer service Effective time management and self-management Willingness to help others as required, e.g. on reception
Commercially astute
  • ability to be business focused and patient/customer centric.
  • capability for managing budget, practice development and growth
  • ability to improve data from local knowledge e.g. using practice profiles
Passionate
  • A caring approach toward patients and colleagues
  • A commitment to striving for the best at all times
Responsible
  • ownership and accountability for practice and leads team.
  • informed decision-making to ensure safety and best practice at all times
Reflection and Self Awareness
  • Impact and influence when working with others
  • an awareness of how to get the best from each individual

Download End-Point Assessment plan

Duration

Typically, this apprenticeship will take 24 months

Qualifications

Outcomes of this standard include:

  • Level 4 Qualification – Certificate in Leadership & Management
  • Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.

Progression

This is an entry level role which provides the foundation knowledge, skills and experience for progression into a number of career paths including Practice Manager, Area Manager and Regional Manager leading to Senior Management roles.

Level

4

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