Your clinic can’t scale if it’s still running on people instead of systems.
In this episode, Sachin sits down with Jess Rankin, Business Manager at Walker Street Doctors, for a masterclass on what it really takes to transform a clinic from “held together by heroic individuals” into a calm, scalable, system-driven practice.
Jess shares her unexpected transition into practice management, the baptism-by-fire early days, and the pivotal mindset shifts that allowed her and owner Nerida to work as a true leadership team instead of two exhausted people putting out fires.
From rebuilding trust after a tough internal transition, to implementing a service fee increase without losing a single doctor, to moving an entire practice in just eight weeks, to building an intranet that finally ended the “Where is that document?” chaos, Jess lifts the curtain on how real clinics grow - not through hacks or heroics, but through curiosity, communication, and the courage to challenge the old way of doing things.
If you’re a Clinic Owner or Practice Manager who’s ambitious but overwhelmed, struggling with key-person dependency, or craving a smoother, saner way to scale, this conversation will feel like oxygen.
In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:
- 05:11 - Why challenging the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset is crucial for breaking growth plateaus and reducing key-person dependency.
- 12:20 - Building the dream practice with your doctors, not for them
- 17:12 - Raising service fees the right way without losing a single GP
- 19:55 - Why centralising processes, policies, and “the way we do things here” is one of the highest-leverage moves
- 29:58 - The power of a true PM – Owner leadership rhythm
ABOUT JESSICA RANKIN
Jess Rankin is the Business Manager at Walker Street Doctors in North Sydney, where she blends strategic thinking with genuine care for people. With a background in HR and health administration, including experience with the AMA NSW, Jess is passionate about creating an efficient, joyful, and values-driven workplace that allow doctors and staff to deliver exceptional care. She’s also the Chairperson of the Unsworth Foundation, leading her family’s philanthropic work to support community and health initiatives across Australia. Known for her energy, organisation, and her favourite question “Why?” Jess believes that strong systems create the space for connection and better care. Away from work, she’s grounded by her husband, two adult children, her parents who live a bit too nearby, and two much-loved cats, Loki and George.
WHERE TO FIND JESSICA RANKIN
Missed the previous Episode?
Listen to Episode 81 here: The Pressure Index of Ownership: Lessons from AFL, Medicine, and Building a Future-Ready Clinic
P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are 4 ways we can help you grow your General Practice without burning out:
- Ask Us Anything (Free Support): Post your toughest Practice question in the SGPO Facebook Group and get answers from us + 1,000 Owners who "get it." [Click here]
- Sharpen Your Skills: Join one of our regular live workshops. Practical, proven tactics for recruitment, team performance, and profit tailored to Owners juggling it all. [Click to Register]
- Get the Blueprint: Watch the free Practice Success Blueprint Training; the proven roadmap Owners use to grow profit, reclaim time, build trusted teams, and protect legacy. [Watch Training Now]
- Explore Working With Us: We partner hands-on with a select group of GP Owners each year. Your free Practice Growth Call is where we'll diagnose your biggest constraint, map next steps, and see if there's a fit to work together. [Click to Book Your Call]
