Experience/Qualifications

To become a PMA Professional Member (MPMA), you will need at least 10 years’ work experience or relevant qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and experience.

Work Experience

By ‘work experience’ we mean being professionally engaged in any aspect of General Practice Management or General Practice Business Management – and/or the teaching or training of these activities – on a full-time basis.
You will need to detail your work experience specifying job role(s), time-period in the role(s), and relevant tasks and responsibilities.
You will have the option to provide this information by uploading your CV.

Relevant qualifications

Holding a higher education qualification can reduce the amount of work experience you will need to have to be eligible for PMA Professional membership.

• Qualifications from a UK higher education institution
  If you hold a BA or BSc Hons degree, you will be allocated an equivalent in years’ experience based on the outline below – and together with your work experience, your application will be assessed. Similarly, with an accredited MSc, Ordinary degree, foundation degree, or HNC/HND, you will also need a minimum of five years’ experience. Our online application process allows you to check your qualifications and will guide you to the most appropriate membership grade.
• PMA Higher Education Qualifications
  If you hold a PMA Professional Diploma at Level 3 or above you will be allocated an equivalent in years’ experience based on the outline below – and together with your work experience, your application will be assessed.

Holding a non-accredited qualification from a UK higher education institution may also reduce the amount of work experience you need to have to apply for PMA Professional membership.

This chart shows the number of years’ work experience that the following qualifications are equivalent to.

Supporters and Sponsors

PMA will need the details of two supporters who can comment on your experience and competence to verify your application.
This could be a GP, GP Partner or Clinical Director or they should be somebody working at the same level as you or above and able to offer a reliable opinion of your work performance.
Supporters are typically employers, colleagues or clients. Please speak to your supporters in advance to confirm they are happy to verify your application and for PMA to hold their details for the purposes of PMA membership assessment and quality control.

• Professional recognition with post-nominals for Member status (MPMA)
• 15% discount on other PMA products and services
• Annual Networking Event & Awards Ceremony
• Quarterly exclusive workshop/webinar

• Application, approval and the first year are free of charge.
• From year 2 onwards there will be an annual fee of £100.
• The annual fee is waivered if you are a subscriber to PMA Premium Membership.

Code of Conduct for PMA Members 

As a professional body, the Practice Managers Association (known as PMA), has a responsibility to set rules and professional standards to direct the behaviour of its members in professional matters. It is expected that these rules and professional standards will be enforced through disciplinary action which can result in expulsion from membership. 

Members are expected to exercise their own judgement (which should be made in such a way as to be reasonably justified) to meet the requirements of the code and seek advice if in doubt. 

Appendix 1 to the code sets examples of interpretation of the tenets of professional conduct and forms part of this Code of Conduct. 

DEFINITIONS 

Legislation
The term “Legislation” means any applicable laws, statutes and regulations. 

Third Parties
The term “Third Parties” includes any person or organisation that might be affected by your activities in your professional capacity, irrespective of whether they are directly aware or involved in those activities. 

Relevant Authority
The term “Relevant Authority” in this document is used to identify the person(s) or organisation(s) which has/have authority over the activity of individuals in their professional capacity. 

For practising PMA members this is normally an employer or general practice. 

This Code of Conduct: 

• sets out the professional standards required by PMA as a condition of membership. 
• applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations. 
• governs the conduct of the individual, not the nature of the business or ethics of any Relevant Authority. 

Public Interest
You shall: 

• have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment. 
• have due regard for the legitimate rights of Third Parties 
• conduct your professional activities without discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability, or of any other condition or requirement 

Professional Competence and Integrity
You shall:

• only undertake to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence. 
• NOT claim any level of competence that you do not possess. 
• develop your professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis, maintaining awareness of healthcare developments, technological developments, procedures, and standards that are relevant to your field. 
• ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding of Legislation* and that you comply with such Legislation, in carrying out your professional responsibilities. 
• respect and value alternative viewpoints and, seek, accept and offer honest criticisms of work. 
• avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious or negligent action or inaction. 
• reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement.

Duty to Relevant Authority
You shall: 

• carry out your professional responsibilities with due care and diligence in accordance with the Relevant Authority’s requirements whilst exercising your professional judgement at all times. 
• seek to avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between you and your Relevant Authority. 
• accept professional responsibility for your work and for the work of colleagues who are defined in a given context as working under your supervision. 
• NOT disclose or authorise to be disclosed or use for personal gain or to benefit a third party, confidential information except with the permission of your Relevant Authority, or as required by Legislation. 
• NOT misrepresent or withhold information on the performance of products, systems or services (unless lawfully bound by a duty of confidentiality not to disclose such information) or take advantage of the lack of relevant knowledge or inexperience of others. 

Duty to the Profession
You shall: 

• accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not take any action which could bring the profession into disrepute. 
• seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement. 
• uphold the reputation and good standing of PMA. 
• act with integrity and respect in your professional relationships with all members of PMA and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity. 
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development 

Interpretation of the PMA Code of Conduct
The explanatory notes below are offered for guidance only. The examples are not, and not intended to be, exhaustive. If you are in a leadership position and especially if you hold an executive position you are expected to: 

• encourage and facilitate colleagues to develop as professionals. 
• seek to ensure that no one is penalised for raising areas of concern or conflicts of interest. 
• encourage colleagues to follow this code of conduct. 

Public Interest
Acting in the public interest may be governed by Legislation. 

Legitimate rights of third parties include protecting personal identifiable data to prevent unlawful disclosure and identity theft, and also respect for patient data, copyright, patents and other intellectual property. 

Professional Competence and Integrity
All members are required to undertake professional development activities as a condition of membership. Continuing professional development activities should broaden your knowledge of the profession and maintain your competence in your area of specialism. 

You should seek out and observe good practice exemplified by rules, standards, conventions or protocols that are relevant in your area of specialism 

You should only claim current competence where you can demonstrate you have the required expertise e.g., through recognised competencies, qualifications or experience. 

Legislation that may apply in carrying out your professional responsibilities might include that applicable to: 

• your Relevant Authority 
• the geographic area in which you are carrying out your professional responsibilities. 
• the geographic area in which your responsibilities will be discharged. 
• You may need to seek guidance from your Relevant Authority. Where you are leading a first of kind project you will ensure that you make use of peer review and support where appropriate. 

Duty to Relevant Authority
Exercising of your professional judgement: 

• Where there is conflict between full and committed compliance with the Relevant Authority’s instructions and the independent and considered exercise of your professional judgement, you will indicate the likely risks and consequences. 
• If any conflict is likely to occur or be seen by a third party as likely to occur, you will make full and immediate disclosure to your Relevant Authority. 
• If for any reason you are unable to complete any assigned tasks in accordance with their requirements (e.g., on time or within budget) you will advise the Relevant Authority as soon as practicable. 

Duty to the Profession
As a member of PMA, you have a responsibility to: 

• share knowledge and understanding of practice management and support inclusion of every sector of PMA. 
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development. 
• In circumstances where a member is also a member of another professional body the clauses of any other applicable code of conduct cannot be employed to diminish or negate the clauses of the PMA Code of Conduct. 
• You will not make any statement on behalf of PMA or purport to represent PMA through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorised to do so by PMA. 

BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
If a member of PMA should know of, or become aware of, any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify PMA immediately. 

Breaches of the Code of Conduct may also be brought to the attention of PMA by others who are not members of PMA. 

Any breach of the Code of Conduct brought to the attention of PMA, or of which PMA becomes aware, will be considered under the PMA’s Disciplinary procedures. 

Correspondence in connection with this Code of Conduct should be directed to: The PMA Council via 

PMA Professional Membership Secretary
Sue Chadwick
PMA House
The Old Post Office
1 Macclesfield Road
Alderley Edge
Cheshire,
SK9 7BQ 

Main Contacts: 

Ian Jones
Operations Director
ian@practicemanagersuk.org
07880 788 985

Austin Ambrose
Client Services Director
austin@practicemanagersuk.org
07726 921 685

Lisa Lindgren
Head of Education
lisa@practicemanagersuk.org
07751 091 395

Should you have any concerns around Safeguarding please email:
PMA DSL, Lisa Lindgren at: safeguarding@practicemanagersuk.org 

Please be assured your email will be treated in the strictest confidence and that you will receive a direct reply from Lisa within 24 hours. 

Experience

To achieve PMA Fellowship (FPMA), you will be a leader in General Practice Management or GP Business Management, recognised for your eminence, authority or seniority in your field. You will have at least (10) year’s work experience or relevant qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and experience – and hold MPMA status.

Eminence: you are an expert in GP Practice Management or Business Practice Management

You are likely to have a substantial record of published work and public-speaking, training and development. You will be an active coach or mentor in General Practice and have made a significant contribution to advancing the knowledge and understanding across General Practice.
You will be active within your locality, within the CCG, LMC, Federation, PCN, Training Hubs and other allied NHS bodies that make up the wider Integrated Care Sector.

Authority: you will be recognised for your knowledge and influence

You might have influence in the areas of General Practice business, systems and organisational development; be prominent within your PCN or be recognised for developing a technique that is now widely used.
You could be involved in a national or standards committee, or a professional body like PMA, in a technical or professional capacity; or you hold a senior position in which you demonstrate significant influence.

Seniority: you’ve held a senior position in General Practice Management of General Practice Business Management for several years

Do you manage a team of 20 or more people, at least 2 of whom are at PMA Professional (MPMA) membership level or equivalent?
Or you might now be a consultant in an organisation working for major clients across the Primary Care Sector and the wider Health Care Sector; a senior lecturer teaching across general practice; or in a role as a principal within a PCN or senior principal level or higher.

CV

You will need to provide a CV or resume covering your General Practice experience in full – together with details of any other referenced contributions you have made – to allow our assessors to confirm your status as a leader through your eminence, authority or seniority.
You should include the positions you have held, your key achievements and how you view your contribution to the sector.

Supporters

PMA will require contact details for at least two supporters who can comment on your standing in the profession to verify your application. You can provide details for more than two supporters to verify different areas of your experience if necessary.
Supporters should be working at a similar level to you and it is preferable, though not essential, that they are PMA Professional Members or Fellows.
Please speak to your supporters in advance to confirm they are happy to verify your application and for PMA to hold their details for the purposes of PMA Fellowship assessment and quality control.

You will be required to attend a formal interview with a committee of the PMA Members Council. This may be conducted virtually.

• Professional recognition with post-nominals for Fellow status (FPMA)
• 15% discount on other PMA products and services
• Annual Networking Event & Awards Ceremony
• Quarterly exclusive workshop/webinar

• Application, approval and the first year are free of charge.
• From year 2 onwards there will be an annual fee of £145.
• The annual fee is waivered if you are a subscriber to PMA Premium Membership.

Code of Conduct for PMA Members

As a professional body, the Practice Managers Association (known as PMA), has a responsibility to set rules and professional standards to direct the behaviour of its members in professional matters. It is expected that these rules and professional standards will be enforced through disciplinary action which can result in expulsion from membership.

Members are expected to exercise their own judgement (which should be made in such a way as to be reasonably justified) to meet the requirements of the code and seek advice if in doubt.

Appendix 1 to the code sets examples of interpretation of the tenets of professional conduct and forms part of this Code of Conduct.

DEFINITIONS

Legislation
The term “Legislation” means any applicable laws, statutes and regulations.

Third Parties
The term “Third Parties” includes any person or organisation that might be affected by your activities in your professional capacity, irrespective of whether they are directly aware or involved in those activities.

Relevant Authority
The term “Relevant Authority” in this document is used to identify the person(s) or organisation(s) which has/have authority over the activity of individuals in their professional capacity.

For practising PMA members this is normally an employer or general practice.

This Code of Conduct:

• sets out the professional standards required by PMA as a condition of membership.
• applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations.
• governs the conduct of the individual, not the nature of the business or ethics of any Relevant Authority.

Public Interest
You shall:

• have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment.
• have due regard for the legitimate rights of Third Parties
• conduct your professional activities without discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability, or of any other condition or requirement

Professional Competence and Integrity
You shall:

• only undertake to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence.
• NOT claim any level of competence that you do not possess.
• develop your professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis, maintaining awareness of healthcare developments, technological developments, procedures, and standards that are relevant to your field.
• ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding of Legislation* and that you comply with such Legislation, in carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• respect and value alternative viewpoints and, seek, accept and offer honest criticisms of work.
• avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious or negligent action or inaction.
• reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement.

Duty to Relevant Authority
You shall:

• carry out your professional responsibilities with due care and diligence in accordance with the Relevant Authority’s requirements whilst exercising your professional judgement at all times.
• seek to avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between you and your Relevant Authority.
• accept professional responsibility for your work and for the work of colleagues who are defined in a given context as working under your supervision.
• NOT disclose or authorise to be disclosed or use for personal gain or to benefit a third party, confidential information except with the permission of your Relevant Authority, or as required by Legislation.
• NOT misrepresent or withhold information on the performance of products, systems or services (unless lawfully bound by a duty of confidentiality not to disclose such information) or take advantage of the lack of relevant knowledge or inexperience of others.

Duty to the Profession
You shall:

• accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not take any action which could bring the profession into disrepute.
• seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement.
• uphold the reputation and good standing of PMA.
• act with integrity and respect in your professional relationships with all members of PMA and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development

Interpretation of the PMA Code of Conduct
The explanatory notes below are offered for guidance only. The examples are not, and not intended to be, exhaustive. If you are in a leadership position and especially if you hold an executive position you are expected to:

• encourage and facilitate colleagues to develop as professionals.
• seek to ensure that no one is penalised for raising areas of concern or conflicts of interest.
• encourage colleagues to follow this code of conduct.

Public Interest
Acting in the public interest may be governed by Legislation.

Legitimate rights of third parties include protecting personal identifiable data to prevent unlawful disclosure and identity theft, and also respect for patient data, copyright, patents and other intellectual property.

Professional Competence and Integrity
All members are required to undertake professional development activities as a condition of membership. Continuing professional development activities should broaden your knowledge of the profession and maintain your competence in your area of specialism.

You should seek out and observe good practice exemplified by rules, standards, conventions or protocols that are relevant in your area of specialism

You should only claim current competence where you can demonstrate you have the required expertise e.g., through recognised competencies, qualifications or experience.

Legislation that may apply in carrying out your professional responsibilities might include that applicable to:

• your Relevant Authority
• the geographic area in which you are carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• the geographic area in which your responsibilities will be discharged.
• You may need to seek guidance from your Relevant Authority. Where you are leading a first of kind project you will ensure that you make use of peer review and support where appropriate.

Duty to Relevant Authority
Exercising of your professional judgement:

• Where there is conflict between full and committed compliance with the Relevant Authority’s instructions and the independent and considered exercise of your professional judgement, you will indicate the likely risks and consequences.
• If any conflict is likely to occur or be seen by a third party as likely to occur, you will make full and immediate disclosure to your Relevant Authority.
• If for any reason you are unable to complete any assigned tasks in accordance with their requirements (e.g., on time or within budget) you will advise the Relevant Authority as soon as practicable.

Duty to the Profession
As a member of PMA, you have a responsibility to:

• share knowledge and understanding of practice management and support inclusion of every sector of PMA.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development.
• In circumstances where a member is also a member of another professional body the clauses of any other applicable code of conduct cannot be employed to diminish or negate the clauses of the PMA Code of Conduct.
• You will not make any statement on behalf of PMA or purport to represent PMA through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorised to do so by PMA.

BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
If a member of PMA should know of, or become aware of, any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify PMA immediately.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct may also be brought to the attention of PMA by others who are not members of PMA.

Any breach of the Code of Conduct brought to the attention of PMA, or of which PMA becomes aware, will be considered under the PMA’s Disciplinary procedures.

Correspondence in connection with this Code of Conduct should be directed to: The PMA Council via

PMA Professional Membership Secretary
Sue Chadwick
PMA House
The Old Post Office
1 Macclesfield Road
Alderley Edge
Cheshire,
SK9 7BQ

Main Contacts: 

Ian Jones
Operations Director
ian@practicemanagersuk.org
07880 788 985

Austin Ambrose
Client Services Director
austin@practicemanagersuk.org
07726 921 685

Lisa Lindgren
Head of Education
lisa@practicemanagersuk.org
07751 091 395

Should you have any concerns around Safeguarding please email:
PMA DSL, Lisa Lindgren at: safeguarding@practicemanagersuk.org

Please be assured your email will be treated in the strictest confidence and that you will receive a direct reply from Lisa within 24 hours.

Experience/qualifications

To become a PMA Associate member, you will need a year’s General Practice work experience or a qualification at ILM level 3 or above.
By ‘General Practice work experience’ we mean being professionally engaged in any aspect of developing, maintaining or managing systems, processes and or people within any aspect of non-clinical General Practice – or the teaching, training or mentoring of these activities.

Supporter

We will require the details of a supporter who can comment on your competence and experience to verify your application. They should be working at the same level as you or above, and able to offer a reliable opinion of your performance at work.
Supporters are typically employers, colleagues or those that you work closely with.
Please speak to your supporter in advance to confirm they are happy to verify your application and for PMA to hold their details for the purposes of PMA membership assessment and quality control.

• Annual Networking Event & Awards Ceremony
• Quarterly exclusive workshop/webinar

• Application, approval and the first year are free of charge.
• From year 2 onwards there will be an annual fee of £65.

Code of Conduct for PMA Members

As a professional body, the Practice Managers Association (known as PMA), has a responsibility to set rules and professional standards to direct the behaviour of its members in professional matters. It is expected that these rules and professional standards will be enforced through disciplinary action which can result in expulsion from membership.

Members are expected to exercise their own judgement (which should be made in such a way as to be reasonably justified) to meet the requirements of the code and seek advice if in doubt.

Appendix 1 to the code sets examples of interpretation of the tenets of professional conduct and forms part of this Code of Conduct.

DEFINITIONS

Legislation
The term “Legislation” means any applicable laws, statutes and regulations.

Third Parties
The term “Third Parties” includes any person or organisation that might be affected by your activities in your professional capacity, irrespective of whether they are directly aware or involved in those activities.

Relevant Authority
The term “Relevant Authority” in this document is used to identify the person(s) or organisation(s) which has/have authority over the activity of individuals in their professional capacity.

For practising PMA members this is normally an employer or general practice.

This Code of Conduct:

• sets out the professional standards required by PMA as a condition of membership.
• applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations.
• governs the conduct of the individual, not the nature of the business or ethics of any Relevant Authority.

Public Interest
You shall:

• have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment.
• have due regard for the legitimate rights of Third Parties
• conduct your professional activities without discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability, or of any other condition or requirement

Professional Competence and Integrity
You shall:

• only undertake to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence.
• NOT claim any level of competence that you do not possess.
• develop your professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis, maintaining awareness of healthcare developments, technological developments, procedures, and standards that are relevant to your field.
• ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding of Legislation* and that you comply with such Legislation, in carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• respect and value alternative viewpoints and, seek, accept and offer honest criticisms of work.
• avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious or negligent action or inaction.
• reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement.

Duty to Relevant Authority
You shall:

• carry out your professional responsibilities with due care and diligence in accordance with the Relevant Authority’s requirements whilst exercising your professional judgement at all times.
• seek to avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between you and your Relevant Authority.
• accept professional responsibility for your work and for the work of colleagues who are defined in a given context as working under your supervision.
• NOT disclose or authorise to be disclosed or use for personal gain or to benefit a third party, confidential information except with the permission of your Relevant Authority, or as required by Legislation.
• NOT misrepresent or withhold information on the performance of products, systems or services (unless lawfully bound by a duty of confidentiality not to disclose such information) or take advantage of the lack of relevant knowledge or inexperience of others.

Duty to the Profession
You shall:

• accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not take any action which could bring the profession into disrepute.
• seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement.
• uphold the reputation and good standing of PMA.
• act with integrity and respect in your professional relationships with all members of PMA and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development

Interpretation of the PMA Code of Conduct
The explanatory notes below are offered for guidance only. The examples are not, and not intended to be, exhaustive. If you are in a leadership position and especially if you hold an executive position you are expected to:

• encourage and facilitate colleagues to develop as professionals.
• seek to ensure that no one is penalised for raising areas of concern or conflicts of interest.
• encourage colleagues to follow this code of conduct.

Public Interest
Acting in the public interest may be governed by Legislation.

Legitimate rights of third parties include protecting personal identifiable data to prevent unlawful disclosure and identity theft, and also respect for patient data, copyright, patents and other intellectual property.

Professional Competence and Integrity
All members are required to undertake professional development activities as a condition of membership. Continuing professional development activities should broaden your knowledge of the profession and maintain your competence in your area of specialism.

You should seek out and observe good practice exemplified by rules, standards, conventions or protocols that are relevant in your area of specialism

You should only claim current competence where you can demonstrate you have the required expertise e.g., through recognised competencies, qualifications or experience.

Legislation that may apply in carrying out your professional responsibilities might include that applicable to:

• your Relevant Authority
• the geographic area in which you are carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• the geographic area in which your responsibilities will be discharged.
• You may need to seek guidance from your Relevant Authority. Where you are leading a first of kind project you will ensure that you make use of peer review and support where appropriate.

Duty to Relevant Authority
Exercising of your professional judgement:

• Where there is conflict between full and committed compliance with the Relevant Authority’s instructions and the independent and considered exercise of your professional judgement, you will indicate the likely risks and consequences.
• If any conflict is likely to occur or be seen by a third party as likely to occur, you will make full and immediate disclosure to your Relevant Authority.
• If for any reason you are unable to complete any assigned tasks in accordance with their requirements (e.g., on time or within budget) you will advise the Relevant Authority as soon as practicable.

Duty to the Profession
As a member of PMA, you have a responsibility to:

• share knowledge and understanding of practice management and support inclusion of every sector of PMA.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development.
• In circumstances where a member is also a member of another professional body the clauses of any other applicable code of conduct cannot be employed to diminish or negate the clauses of the PMA Code of Conduct.
• You will not make any statement on behalf of PMA or purport to represent PMA through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorised to do so by PMA.

BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
If a member of PMA should know of, or become aware of, any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify PMA immediately.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct may also be brought to the attention of PMA by others who are not members of PMA.

Any breach of the Code of Conduct brought to the attention of PMA, or of which PMA becomes aware, will be considered under the PMA’s Disciplinary procedures.

Correspondence in connection with this Code of Conduct should be directed to: The PMA Council via

PMA Professional Membership Secretary
Sue Chadwick
PMA House
The Old Post Office
1 Macclesfield Road
Alderley Edge
Cheshire,
SK9 7BQ

Main Contacts: 

Ian Jones
Operations Director
ian@practicemanagersuk.org
07880 788 985

Austin Ambrose
Client Services Director
austin@practicemanagersuk.org
07726 921 685

Lisa Lindgren
Head of Education
lisa@practicemanagersuk.org
07751 091 395

Should you have any concerns around Safeguarding please email:
PMA DSL, Lisa Lindgren at: safeguarding@practicemanagersuk.org

Please be assured your email will be treated in the strictest confidence and that you will receive a direct reply from Lisa within 24 hours.

PMA support you throughout your studies and into the health sector

By becoming a member of PMA at this early stage in your health sector career, you signal your dedication to delivering high ethical standards of practice to current and future employers as well as your commitment to your own professional development.

Building your career

PMA membership offers access to tools, insight, advice, guidance and learning resources and workshops that you will need you need to kick start your early journey and career pathway.

Learn from others

Access our workshops, web workshops and mentoring network to gain valuable advice and insight from our more experienced members. Be an active participant in PMA workshops and web workshops, specialist groups and PMA webinars to hear talks and network with thought leaders.

Make your voice heard

Just because you are new to the health sector, doesn’t mean that you don’t have a voice. PMA actively encourages our younger and early career members to contribute to all PMA activities, as well as take part in our member surveys.

• Annual Networking Event & Awards Ceremony
• Quarterly exclusive workshop/webinar

• Application, approval and the first year are free of charge.
• From year 2 onwards there will be an annual fee of £25.

Code of Conduct for PMA Members

As a professional body, the Practice Managers Association (known as PMA), has a responsibility to set rules and professional standards to direct the behaviour of its members in professional matters. It is expected that these rules and professional standards will be enforced through disciplinary action which can result in expulsion from membership.

Members are expected to exercise their own judgement (which should be made in such a way as to be reasonably justified) to meet the requirements of the code and seek advice if in doubt.

Appendix 1 to the code sets examples of interpretation of the tenets of professional conduct and forms part of this Code of Conduct.

DEFINITIONS

Legislation
The term “Legislation” means any applicable laws, statutes and regulations.

Third Parties
The term “Third Parties” includes any person or organisation that might be affected by your activities in your professional capacity, irrespective of whether they are directly aware or involved in those activities.

Relevant Authority
The term “Relevant Authority” in this document is used to identify the person(s) or organisation(s) which has/have authority over the activity of individuals in their professional capacity.

For practising PMA members this is normally an employer or general practice.

This Code of Conduct:

• sets out the professional standards required by PMA as a condition of membership.
• applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations.
• governs the conduct of the individual, not the nature of the business or ethics of any Relevant Authority.

Public Interest
You shall:

• have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment.
• have due regard for the legitimate rights of Third Parties
• conduct your professional activities without discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability, or of any other condition or requirement

Professional Competence and Integrity
You shall:

• only undertake to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence.
• NOT claim any level of competence that you do not possess.
• develop your professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis, maintaining awareness of healthcare developments, technological developments, procedures, and standards that are relevant to your field.
• ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding of Legislation* and that you comply with such Legislation, in carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• respect and value alternative viewpoints and, seek, accept and offer honest criticisms of work.
• avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious or negligent action or inaction.
• reject and will not make any offer of bribery or unethical inducement.

Duty to Relevant Authority
You shall:

• carry out your professional responsibilities with due care and diligence in accordance with the Relevant Authority’s requirements whilst exercising your professional judgement at all times.
• seek to avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between you and your Relevant Authority.
• accept professional responsibility for your work and for the work of colleagues who are defined in a given context as working under your supervision.
• NOT disclose or authorise to be disclosed or use for personal gain or to benefit a third party, confidential information except with the permission of your Relevant Authority, or as required by Legislation.
• NOT misrepresent or withhold information on the performance of products, systems or services (unless lawfully bound by a duty of confidentiality not to disclose such information) or take advantage of the lack of relevant knowledge or inexperience of others.

Duty to the Profession
You shall:

• accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not take any action which could bring the profession into disrepute.
• seek to improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement.
• uphold the reputation and good standing of PMA.
• act with integrity and respect in your professional relationships with all members of PMA and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development

Interpretation of the PMA Code of Conduct
The explanatory notes below are offered for guidance only. The examples are not, and not intended to be, exhaustive. If you are in a leadership position and especially if you hold an executive position you are expected to:

• encourage and facilitate colleagues to develop as professionals.
• seek to ensure that no one is penalised for raising areas of concern or conflicts of interest.
• encourage colleagues to follow this code of conduct.

Public Interest
Acting in the public interest may be governed by Legislation.

Legitimate rights of third parties include protecting personal identifiable data to prevent unlawful disclosure and identity theft, and also respect for patient data, copyright, patents and other intellectual property.

Professional Competence and Integrity
All members are required to undertake professional development activities as a condition of membership. Continuing professional development activities should broaden your knowledge of the profession and maintain your competence in your area of specialism.

You should seek out and observe good practice exemplified by rules, standards, conventions or protocols that are relevant in your area of specialism

You should only claim current competence where you can demonstrate you have the required expertise e.g., through recognised competencies, qualifications or experience.

Legislation that may apply in carrying out your professional responsibilities might include that applicable to:

• your Relevant Authority
• the geographic area in which you are carrying out your professional responsibilities.
• the geographic area in which your responsibilities will be discharged.
• You may need to seek guidance from your Relevant Authority. Where you are leading a first of kind project you will ensure that you make use of peer review and support where appropriate.

Duty to Relevant Authority
Exercising of your professional judgement:

• Where there is conflict between full and committed compliance with the Relevant Authority’s instructions and the independent and considered exercise of your professional judgement, you will indicate the likely risks and consequences.
• If any conflict is likely to occur or be seen by a third party as likely to occur, you will make full and immediate disclosure to your Relevant Authority.
• If for any reason you are unable to complete any assigned tasks in accordance with their requirements (e.g., on time or within budget) you will advise the Relevant Authority as soon as practicable.

Duty to the Profession
As a member of PMA, you have a responsibility to:

• share knowledge and understanding of practice management and support inclusion of every sector of PMA.
• encourage and support fellow members in their professional development.
• In circumstances where a member is also a member of another professional body the clauses of any other applicable code of conduct cannot be employed to diminish or negate the clauses of the PMA Code of Conduct.
• You will not make any statement on behalf of PMA or purport to represent PMA through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorised to do so by PMA.

BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
If a member of PMA should know of, or become aware of, any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify PMA immediately.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct may also be brought to the attention of PMA by others who are not members of PMA.

Any breach of the Code of Conduct brought to the attention of PMA, or of which PMA becomes aware, will be considered under the PMA’s Disciplinary procedures.

Correspondence in connection with this Code of Conduct should be directed to: The PMA Council via

PMA Professional Membership Secretary
Sue Chadwick
PMA House
The Old Post Office
1 Macclesfield Road
Alderley Edge
Cheshire,
SK9 7BQ

Main Contacts: 

Ian Jones
Operations Director
ian@practicemanagersuk.org
07880 788 985

Austin Ambrose
Client Services Director
austin@practicemanagersuk.org
07726 921 685

Lisa Lindgren
Head of Education
lisa@practicemanagersuk.org
07751 091 395

Should you have any concerns around Safeguarding please email:
PMA DSL, Lisa Lindgren at: safeguarding@practicemanagersuk.org

Please be assured your email will be treated in the strictest confidence and that you will receive a direct reply from Lisa within 24 hours.