Managers in the NHS
Entry requirements
There are a variety of entry routes into a career in management. The following are general entry requirements. For specific entry requirements for individual job roles visit career options.
With good GCSEs and/ or work experience
You can join the NHS administrative level and work your way up to management, supported by in-house and external training schemes. For most junior positions, you will need 4 or 5 GCSEs at Grades A-C or equivalent. Employers may also consider applicants with fewer formal qualifications if they can demonstrate they have the right skills, for example, previous clerical experience.
With A-Levels
If you have 2 or 3 A-levels or equivalent vocational qualifications you may be able to start at a higher administrative grade, leading to a supervisory role and then into management. Internal and external training schemes, for example in communications skills or budget management, will assist your progress and enable you to apply your academic skills to work situations. Previous work experience can be an advantage.
As a graduate
IIf you have a degree or equivalent vocational qualifications you can apply for junior management posts or apply for entry on the NHS Management Training scheme in which you can specialise in general, human resource or finance management. As well as the fast-track graduate scheme (see training section), depending on your degree and your employment experience, you may be able to apply directly for junior management vacancies. Alternatively, you can join an NHS trust or organisation in an administrative role, gain experience of staff supervision and move on into management with appropriate training and support.
If you already have management experience
We welcome applications from people who have already built up management experience in the private sector or in other public or voluntary organisations. You can often join at a level corresponding to your skills and expertise. Some managers are recruited directly for specific positions.
The skills and qualifications needed vary according to the type of post. For example, membership of the Hotel and Catering Institutional Management Association may be needed for some catering management posts. If you are looking to work in human resources you may be expected to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects may be needed if you want to join as an architect.
