Principal Clinical Pharmacist and Team Lead (Maternity Cover)NHS

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Principal Clinical Pharmacist and Team Lead to join Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network on a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, commencing in December 2026.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a senior clinical and leadership role within our established PCN Pharmacy Team, providing day-to-day clinical support, supervision and leadership to our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians whilst continuing to work directly with patients across our three member practices.

The successful candidate will play a key role in medicines optimisation, structured medication reviews, long-term condition management and quality improvement, working closely with GPs, nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team.

We are particularly keen to hear from an Independent Prescriber, ideally with experience in the management of long-term conditions and the ability to undertake annual diabetes reviews, including making appropriate adjustments to treatment.

If you are an experienced clinical pharmacist looking for the opportunity to combine advanced clinical practice with team leadership within a supportive and collaborative Primary Care Network, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide senior clinical pharmacy leadership across Jurassic Coast PCN, supporting the day-to-day running and development of the Pharmacy Team alongside delivering a patient-facing clinical service.

The role will involve supporting and supervising pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, helping to coordinate team workload and providing clinical guidance and mentorship.

Clinically, the post holder will work alongside GPs, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team to support medicines optimisation, structured medication reviews and the management of long-term conditions. This will include face-to-face and remote consultations, with a particular focus on areas such as diabetes, hypertension and lipid management.

The successful candidate will also contribute to medicines safety, prescribing quality improvement and wider PCN clinical priorities, helping to ensure patients receive safe, effective and evidence-based medicines care.

Job description

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: 12-month fixed-term maternity cover

The Principal Clinical Pharmacist and Team Lead will provide senior clinical pharmacy leadership across Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network and will be responsible for supporting the delivery and development of a high-quality, patient-centred pharmacy service across our member practices.

The post holder will lead and support the PCN Pharmacy Team, providing day-to-day clinical guidance, supervision, mentorship and line management to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This will include supporting team development, workload planning, appraisals and ensuring the pharmacy team is able to work effectively across the PCN.

Alongside the leadership responsibilities, the post holder will maintain a strong patient-facing clinical role, working closely with GPs, nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to support the safe, effective and rational use of medicines.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing clinical leadership, supervision and mentorship to the PCN Pharmacy Team.
• Supporting the day-to-day management and development of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• Undertaking patient-facing clinical medication reviews and Structured Medication Reviews for patients with complex needs, multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
• Supporting medicines optimisation and making appropriate prescribing changes within scope of practice.
• Holding long-term condition clinics and supporting the management of conditions including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders.
• Supporting annual reviews and ongoing medicines management for patients with long-term conditions.
• Reconciling and reviewing medicines following hospital discharge and other transfers of care.
• Supporting patients who may be at increased risk of medicines-related harm or unplanned hospital admission.
• Providing specialist medicines advice to patients, GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
• Supporting medicines safety activity, including responding to relevant safety alerts, prescribing risks and national or local guidance.
• Identifying opportunities for medicines-related quality improvement, audit and service development.
• Supporting implementation of local and national prescribing guidance, NICE recommendations and formulary requirements.
• Contributing to relevant PCN medicines optimisation, QOF and contractual priorities.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across primary care, community pharmacy, care homes, secondary care and the wider health and social care system.
• Contributing to education, training and professional development within the pharmacy team and wider multidisciplinary team.

The role will require the post holder to communicate effectively with a wide range of professionals and patients, manage competing priorities and contribute to the ongoing development of clinical pharmacy services across the PCN.

The post holder will be expected to maintain General Pharmaceutical Council registration, professional competence and appropriate indemnity cover, and to work in accordance with relevant professional standards, clinical governance requirements and organisational policies.

The post requires independent travel between PCN practices and other locations where required.

Please refer to the attached full Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding the role, responsibilities and requirements.

About us

Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of GP practices based in rural West Dorset, working together to provide high-quality, personalised healthcare to the local community. The PCN includes a mix of healthcare professionals like social prescribers, clinical pharmacists, digital care coordinators, and admin staff. These teams work across several hubs in the area to make sure everyone can access the care they need.

The PCN prides itself on being supportive and inclusive, with a real focus on staff well-being as a key part of delivering great patient care. Its built on values like respect, attention to detail, active listening, openness, empowering patients, and always learning and improving.

People who work there often describe it as fast-paced, lively, and caring. Theres a real sense of teamwork and making a difference to the lives of local patients, with the beautiful surroundings of the Jurassic Coast providing an added bonus.