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NHS Scotland

Management Training Scheme

About the Management Training Scheme

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What does the Scheme offer ?

  • The NHS Scotland Management Training Scheme (MTS) is a three-year programme, with general management trainee placements in Health Boards across Scotland.  
  • Trainees work alongside, and learn from, NHS Scotland's top leaders and clinicians and gain a relevant post-graduate qualification.    
  • The Scheme is for talented and emotionally intelligent individuals, who are educated to a minimum of SCQF level 10, who seek a career in management with Scotland's biggest employer, and who possess the drive to help protect and improve health and care in Scotland.
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Scheme structure

Preparation 

  • Trainees will select a host board for the length of the Scheme. This is in agreement with the Scheme Management, and based on availability of suitable placements. The host board could be anywhere in Scotland.  

  • Trainees will identify a relevant and appropriate post-graduate programme in a UK institution. The day release for academic study is one day per week on average, whether attending in person or studying a distance course.  

The Scheme offers: 

  • Placements that offer real management experience in a health and care setting  

  • Competitive salary including pension  

  • A fully funded post-graduate course at Master's level 

  • An in-house leadership development programme  

  • Support team including a mentor, a coach and a buddy

General Management Scheme

Year 1 

Induction and orientation 

  • Trainees get a comprehensive induction to the Scheme and their host board; 

  • The induction will give an opportunity to experience a range of NHS services in their host Board and across Scotland;   

  • Trainees gain an introduction to the role of general managers across the service. 

First placement (9 months)  

Trainees will work in a real general management post with responsibility e.g. for people, services and resources such as skills, budgets and equipment.  

Trainees continue academic study and will attend internal leadership development programmes. 

Year  2  

Elective (3 months) 

Trainees will identify, and focus on, a specialist area of work and study.  

The elective placement is designed to expose trainees to various organisations and cultures. While some placements may be within different departments of the host Board, trainees will have the opportunity to work with a range of other organisations, both within and outside the Health and Care sector in Scotland.  

Second placement (9 months)  

Trainees will move into another general management post in the host board, continuing to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities, and consolidate experience across the general management system.    

Trainees continue academic study and will attend internal leadership development programmes. They will also be allocated a coach to further support development.  

Year 3  

After successful completion of the year two placement, trainees will move to the year three 12-month contract in the host board.  

Trainees will complete their academic qualification; and continue the coaching.    

After the Scheme  

Many trainees stay with the host board; some move to another NHS Scotland Board, or to a Health and Social Care Partnership, Third  Sector, or other organisations. Â