Strengthening practice management through external mentoring programmes

Mentoring is a powerful tool for professional development; offering a supportive relationship where experienced individuals help others build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in their roles.

Within our network, newly appointed practice managers, especially those transitioning from outside the healthcare sector, often require additional support to confidently navigate the complexities of practice operations.

We conducted an environmental scan to identify existing mentoring programmes that may be accessible to practice managers. Our focus was on structured, one-on-one mentorship models.

The following mentoring programmes have been identified as suitable options to support practice managers in their professional development.

• PMAANZ (Practice Managers and Administrators Association of New Zealand) – a national, practice manager-specific programme requiring membership and a one-off mentee registration fee. Additional costs may apply and are arranged independently.
• Wāhine Connect– a national programme open to all wāhine/women working in health. While not specific to practice managers, it offers structured support and involves a one-off mentee fee.
• Community Waikato – a local, free program for those in the ‘for purpose’ sector, available to practice managers volunteering for charities or trusts in the Waikato region.

Each program offers unique strengths. PMAANZ and Wāhine Connect are volunteer-led, with PMAANZ offering flexible matching (though resource-intensive) and Wāhine Connect operating four structured matching rounds annually, supported by regional “Matching Bands".

Community Waikato takes a different approach, employing a dedicated staff member to manage its program and maintain its database.

In addition, Wāhine Connect and Community Waikato provide additional support to mentors to connect with other mentors and both evaluate their programmes. A course for coaching and mentor is also provided.  

Practice managers have valuable opportunities to enhance their professional development by engaging with existing mentoring networks.

While the below lists highlight some useful resources and organisations, it is not exhaustive. We encourage practice managers to explore these, and other avenues, that may support their growth. Inclusion in these lists does not imply endorsement of any specific organisation.

The Practice Managers and Administrators Association of New Zealand (PMAANZ) 

• Nationwide for members - represents practice managers, administrators and the profession of practice management. PMAANZ set up this nationwide mentorship programme and services to their members in 2021.  Specific for Practice Managers.  
• PMAANZ offers a matching programme for mentors and mentees. PMAANZ’s role in the programme is to provide an experienced practice managers’ mentor database; support mentors and mentees; and establish, administer and maintain the mentor database. Once the database is set up, PMAANZ plans to provide a branch mentor list on their mentor website page.
• Once members have access, they will select and engage a mentor. The relationship of how the mentorship should run is discussed between the two parties. 
• Cost: Free to mentors and $50+GST (as at May 2021) for mentees to join. Additional cost negotiated between mentor and mentee. Also on offer to members is access to social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp for sharing of knowledge. Informal ad-hoc mentoring is provided by members on a volunteer basis outside of this. Read more about PMAANZ.

Wāhine Connect 

• Nationwide. Promotes the wellbeing and professional development of women in the NZ health sector. 
• Wāhine Connect match women looking for support with volunteer mentors and provide a structured mentoring programme. They provide two streams of support:  
  • Wāhine Connect JOURNEY – mentees seeking 1:1 with mentor for around 6-months
  • Wāhine Connect JUMP – mentees wanting to jump into a ready-made network when they are a decision-point in their careers or personal lives. One meeting connection with 1-3 mentors acting as ‘key informants’ (with personal experience with the issue or knowledge with it).  
• Cost: This programme is free to mentors and a one-off $50.75 registration fee for mentees. No additional cost. Read more about Wāhine Connect.

Community Waikato

• Community Waikato is offering a mentoring program designed to support and develop leaders in the ‘for purpose’ sector across the Waikato region. 
• A six-month time commitment involving monthly meetings. Mentees must be willing to be ready for new and different ideas, be responsible for their own learning and actions, and be prepared for each session. Mentors provide advice, support, guidance and challenge the Mentee. See Mentoring Foundation of New Zealand below to find similar mentoring programmes for the ‘for purpose’ sector.
• Cost: Admin fee on registration of $50. Read more about Community Waikato.

NZ Coaching and Mentoring Centre 

• Coaching and Mentoring Skills: Helping Others Succeed. 
• Cost: One day coaching and mentoring skills online workshop (3 hours) $295+GST. Read more about NZ Coaching and Mentoring.

Business Mentors NZ for small business owners and not-for-profit executives. Requires joining fee which gives you access to a low-cost programme of mentoring support. 

Mentoring Foundation of New Zealand joins up with community partners across Aotearoa New Zealand to bring mentoring support to community sector leaders - organisational, programme, project and governance leaders - via their proven mentoring programme customised to the needs of each community. Look where they have partnered in your local region.