The Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) has launched an accreditation framework to support Practice Managers to become formally accredited and obtain professional status.
IGPM developed this framework to provide people working in the practice management community with the opportunity to become formally accredited and obtain professional status. Applicants who pass the assessment will be awarded Member of the Institute of General Practice Management (MIGPM) status.
The domains that IGPM have created can also be used as a framework for career progression for Practice Managers new in post and those looking to develop their career in practice management. They include:
- Qualifications and achievements
- Personal qualities, professional development and working with others
- Leadership, level of responsibility and accountability. Strategic planning, vision and decision making
- Managing and improving patient services
- Working with patients
- Workforce
- Financial proficiency and practice stability
- Estates and Facilities management
- Working with other organisations and service providers
- Probity, legal and compliance, governance
Become an Associate of the IGPM
To become an Associate of the IGPM you may apply and pay an annual retention fee. If the Associate is appropriately experienced, they may apply to be accredited as a full Member of the IGPM.
Become Accreditated
To become accredited, and obtain the level of Member of the Institute of General Practice Management (MIGPM), Associates must apply to be assessed by an accreditation panel.
Applicants for the award of Member of the Institute of General Practice Management (MIGPM) must demonstrate the required proficiency as detailed in the accreditation framework.
Comprehensive evidence is required to be able to advance your application. Evidence needs to be supplied in each of 10 domains and the awarding panel must be satisfied that an aggregate pass level has been reached in all of these domains
The IGPM have set out the following suitability criteria to be eligible and apply to become a full accredited member of the IGPM.
Criterion 1 The applicant must have been in a substantive managerial role in general practice for not less than 2 years at the time of application.
This covers the following roles:
- Practice Manager
- Business Manager
- Operations Manager
- Assistant/Deputy Practice Manager
- Manager of a specific function with a higher level of accountability/responsibility (e.g. finance manager, HR manager etc.)
- Managing in a scaled model incorporating general practices e.g. GP federation, Primary Care Network
Should your role not be listed above, but you feel the meet criteria of all the domains, please email info@igpm.org.uk for guidance.
Criterion 2 The applicant must not be in breach of any article in the Constitution of the IGPM
Criterion 3 The applicant must not be in any pending or active disciplinary action at the time of application. This would not disqualify an applicant to apply in future after the resolution of such action.
Download IGPM Constitution | GPM Accreditation Framework
How to apply
Applications can be submitted for assessment during the following calendar months; January, May and September.
Fee Structure
One-off Accreditation fee – £280
Resubmission (should your application not meet the criteria) – £120 within 12 months
To apply for accreditation please email info@igpm.org.uk, fee of £280 is payable prior to receiving your application pack.
Submission
Once you have paid and completed your application form, this should be returned to the office (info@igpm.org.uk) and the team will acknowledge receipt.
Following the meeting of the assessment panel during the application window, the outcome will be communicated via email to the candidate.
Successful candidates will receive their printable certificate and e-signature.
If the candidate did not meet the criteria on this occasion, this will be explained via email for the opportunity to resubmit.
Further questions
If you have any further questions on the accreditation process, you would like to talk to us about group funding or you would like to ask about eligibility, please do email us at info@igpm.org.uk