careers in cancer

Are you good at solving problems? How about encouraging people to work together?

Operational Managers are responsible for the effective delivery of their service. It is a varied role that is not patient facing but focuses on planning services and resources and working with staff to ensure they are able to deliver front line patient care.
As an Operational Manager in cancer care, you are most likely to: 
  • work in a hospital setting
  • work with staff at all levels
  • have responsibility for planning how services operate
  • be required to solve problems to ensure that services and staff can work effectively
  • collate information and data and present your findings
  • make suggestions for how services could be improved

Entry Requirements

Five GCSE’s at grades A-C/9-4 including Maths and English

A levels or equivalent experience would be preferable but there may be opportunities to develop on the job through apprenticeships

Training Routes

There is no single route to become an operational manager. Many operational managers will start their career in other administrative, project or operational roles within the health service, however a health service background is not essential. If you are interested in supporting the delivery of cancer services, it would be helpful to start in a role that gives you experience of the complexity of cancer pathways such as an MDT coordinator or project officer.

Within the NHS there are opportunities to develop your career whilst at work through apprenticeships, operational management is one job you can work towards in this way.

Key Skills

You will:
  • be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation
  • be confident using different computer systems and creating reports
  • have strong organisational skills and be able to prioritise effectively
  • be able to work under pressure and remain calm in challenging situations
  • be able to think creatively and solve problems that arise

Career Development

With experience and further training, Operational Managers could move into other management roles within cancer care.

Pay and benefits

As a new or trainee operational manager you will be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on a Band 5 with the opportunity to progress with training and experience.

Operational Manager

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