Diploma of Practice Management | Become a Practice Manager

Become a sought-after healthcare practice manager with a nationally recognised Diploma in Practice Management (HLT57715). This qualification is designed for individuals aspiring to manage medical, dental, or allied health practices. The Diploma in Practice Management combines essential business, managerial, and healthcare skills so that graduates are equipped to manage complex and busy health practices. This qualification is particularly useful for practice managers for counselling, occupational therapy, and psychology practices.

This ASQA-recognised vocational qualification is accredited by the Australian government and is recognised across Australia. It is available to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents with a study visa.

What Does a Practice Manager Do?

As a practice manager, you’ll oversee daily operations, including managing reception staff, allied health professionals, accounts, KPIs, recruitment, scheduling, and business development.

How Do I Become a Practice Manager in Australia?

While the Diploma of Practice Management is the ideal qualification for this role, a Certificate IV in Health Administration or a Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration) can also provide a strong foundation and pave the way to a successful career. Students who complete the Diploma of Practice Management might register with these professional associations

• Australian Association of Practice Management or AAPM is a not-for-profit, national peak association that identifies as the professional body for supporting effective Practice Management in the healthcare profession. AAPM members are employed in all areas of healthcare including general practice, allied health, dental, medical specialties, physiotherapy, and podiatry. AAPM represents Practice Managers, business managers, service managers, CEOs, and principals – the key decision-makers in a practice.
• Practice Managers Australia (PMA) is the industry body for practice management professionals. PMA seeks to be a resource for Practice Managers to develop skills and to provide professionals with relevant news, industry-related information, and updates in IT, human resources, marketing, finance, strategic planning, governance, and risk management.

What Does a Practice Manager Earn?

Glassdoor estimates the total pay for a Practice Manager is $101,467 per year, with an average salary of $85,467 per year.

Due to a significant shortage of qualified practice managers, this qualification offers a lucrative and rewarding career in a management role within the allied health setting.  Experienced practice managers can also leverage their skills to establish their own management consulting businesses potentially serving multiple practices.  The career possibilities are broad and, given this is a managerial-level qualification, capable of leading to roles involving significant organisational management. 

Should Practitioners Study a Diploma of Practice Management?

The Diploma of Practice Management is also a relevant qualification for practitioners who are seeking to make the move into launching their own practice and considering developing the necessary skills. The skills involved with being a good practice manager are wholly different from the skills involved in being a good practitioner. The experience of many practice managers is that the transition to being a manager requires a whole new skill set.

Course Content of the Diploma of Practice Management

10 core units and 5 elective units must be completed successfully for the award of the Diploma of Practice Management.

Core Units:                                                                                                                             

• CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• CHCLEG003 – Manage legal and ethical compliance. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research information about compliance and ethical practice responsibilities, and then develop and monitor policies and procedures to meet those responsibilities.
• HLTADM004 – Manage health billing and accounting system. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor a billing and accounting system in health practice, with consideration of client accessibility, practice viability, and regulatory and legislative requirements.
• HLTINF007 – Implement and monitor infection prevention and control standards, policies, and procedures. This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills, and knowledge required to provide information about infection prevention and control procedures, integrate those procedures into work practices, and monitor workplace performance.
• HLTWHS004 – Manage work health and safety. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain, and evaluate work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures, and programs in the relevant work area, according to WHS legislative requirements.
• BSBCUS501 – Manage quality customer service. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop strategies to manage organisational systems that ensure products and services are delivered and maintained to standards agreed by the organisation.
• BSBFIM501 – Manage budgets and financial plans. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake financial management within a work team in an organisation. It includes planning and implementing financial management approaches, supporting team members whose role involves aspects of financial operations, monitoring and controlling finances, and reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of financial management processes.
• BSBMED301 – Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and respond to instructions; to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal/external clients in a medical environment; as well as use appropriate medical terminology.
• BSBMGT502  – Manage people’s performance. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the performance of staff who report to them directly. Development of key result areas and key performance indicators and standards, coupled with regular and timely coaching and feedback, provide the basis for performance management.
• BSBRSK501 – Manage risk. This unit describes skills and knowledge required to manage risks in a range of contexts across an organisation or for a specific business unit or area in any industry setting.

Elective Units:

• CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve professional practice. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.
• BSBMKG501 – Identify and Evaluate Marketing Opportunities. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, evaluate, and take advantage of marketing opportunities by analysing market data, distinguishing characteristics of possible markets, and assessing the viability of changes to operations.
• BSBWOR502 – Lead and manage team effectiveness. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation.
• CHCDIV003 – Manage and promote diversity. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and promote diversity at work, and to contribute to the planning of diversity policies and procedures. This may apply to internal work practices or external service delivery.
• CHCPRP005 – Engage with health professionals and the health system. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work within the health care system and engage effectively with other health professionals, including writing referral reports.
• HLTADM001 – Administer and coordinate Telehealth services. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to administer, support and monitor Telehealth services in a healthcare organisation in collaboration with health professionals and other service providers. The unit covers only additional administration skills that are specific to Telehealth.
• HLTADM002 – Manage Telehealth technology. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to select, use and maintain Telehealth technology according to organisation needs. It requires the ability to protect the security of data, particularly in relation to client confidentiality and privacy.
• CHCPOL002 – Develop and implement policy. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, develop and implement new policy initiatives.

Performance Tasks:

All Nationally recognised qualifications have a requirement to complete a set of practical tasks which are called performance tasks. Students are required to complete Performance Tasks with each Unit. For this qualification, the performance tasks will be completed with a combination of:

• Research and Reporting
• Workplace assessments can be done either at the workplace or via Zoom with the trainer
• Role-play
• Surveys
• Developing procedures and processes

What are the Entry requirements for a Diploma of Practice Management?

HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management has no specific qualification entry requirements.