Jen Blakeman
National Certificate NEBDSA 1992, Cert Hum (OU)
Thank you for taking a moment to read about me and my role within The Grove Practice team.
So what is a Practice Manager, and what do they do? Simply put, a Practice Manager coordinates and oversees the non-clinical and business side of the practice. Like the rest of the team, my job is to ensure that every patient receives the best care possible. But unlike the clinical team, I deliver this care by developing an effective team, who have the support, equipment, systems and motivation to undertake their roles well.
I like to believe that if you don’t see me very much, it means I am doing my job well! That is because my team are engaged, efficient, knowledgeable and skilled and empowered and trusted to do the right thing at the right time. That being said, I like meeting patients and talking with them about their experience, what we do well and what we could do better.
I received my Leadership and Management training in the restaurant industry and during my 30+ years in Dental Practice I have worked as a Dental Nurse, Care Coordinator, Practice Coordinator, as part of a dental training team and as a Practice Manager. I have been exceptionally fortunate to work with brilliant clinicians and teams through the years, all of whom I have learned from, not just about dentistry, but about people and myself.
I joined the team at The Grove Practice in 2018, and immediately felt like I had found a new family. The shared values of Upen, Viren and the entire team have made me feel completely at home. I am passionate about caring for people, for making lives better and for creating understanding, and I always try to do the right thing at the right time to ensure patients receive the best care and service possible. I am a bit of a ‘compliance nerd’ as I enjoy working with a framework of quality and standards. I also love the creativity involved in solving problems and training and developing the team. I am very proud of the team I work with and even prouder to be one of them!
Outside of work you will find me spending time with my husband, Mum and my two rescue dogs, who are my fur-children!
I endeavour to treat people as individuals and as I would wish to be treated in their circumstances. I believe in a culture of equality, diversity and fairness and also strive to live in harmony with the world and it’s other inhabitants.
