Principal Pharmacist (Clozapine and Community Mental Health Services)

Job summaryAre you an ambitious pharmacist looking for an opportunity to lead transformational change within mental health services?Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional pharmacist to lead the development and delivery of our Community Clozapine Pathway. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of specialist mental health pharmacy services and play a pivotal role in improving outcomes for people living with severe mental illness.The postholder will provide professional, clinical and operational leadership for community clozapine services, community clozapine initiation, medicines optimisation, physical health improvement and medicines safety programmes across mental health services.The role supports delivery of the Trust's Community Clozapine Pathway, helping reduce reliance on inpatient admission and improving access to one of the most effective treatments available for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence service transformation, workforce development, clinical governance and system-wide improvement across the physical health and mental health interface.Closing date: 29th September 2026Shortlisting: 30th September 2026 onwardsInterviews: Likely to be week commencing 12th October 2026 TBCMain duties of the jobo The post holder will provide strategic and operational leadership for clozapine services, including implementation, development and ongoing oversight ofcommunity clozapine initiation pathways and associated medicines optimisation initiatives.o To provide, develop and promote a responsive, patient focused, highly specialised clinical pharmacy service to patients and staff within Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust community mental health services. o To deliver specialist information and expert advice to all members of the multidisciplinary team to maximise patient pharmaceutical care and ensure that medicines are prescribed, administered, and supplied in a safe, effective and economic manner and to reduce harm caused by medication errors. o To provide clinical and professional leadership for the development, implementation and ongoing oversight of community clozapine initiation services, ensuring safe, effective and equitable access to clozapine treatment.o Support the development and work within Community Mental Health Transformation programme pathways, protocols, and guidelines so the patients receive safe, clinically effective, and timely mental health medication in the most appropriate care setting. o Lead and support the development and delivery of specialist clozapine services, including community clozapine initiation pathways, physical health monitoring and medicines optimisation interventions.About usEverything we do is underpinned by our core values: -We Care- We act with respect and empathy, and always value differenceWe Listen- We understand people's views and respond to their individual needsWe Deliver- We develop and provide excellent services and support our partnersWe will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :Increase mileage rates for > 4500A wide range of health and wellbeing support packagesA range of internal and external development and learning opportunitiesPlus many more.We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possibleDetailsDate posted15 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8bSalary
66,582 to 77,368 a year
Per Annum
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number Job locationsLynfield Mount HospitalHeights LaneBradfordBD9 6DPUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.Right to Work in the UKApplicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesPlease read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.Right to Work in the UKApplicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialMaster of Pharmacy degree, or equivalent qualificationRegistration with General Pharmaceutical CouncilNon-Medical Prescribing (or be willing to work towards)Postgraduate diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, or equivalent experienceDesirablePostgraduate qualification in Psychiatric TherapeuticsFull Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy (CMHP) (credentialed status)Leadership or management qualification
Experience
EssentialSignificant experience working within specialist mental health pharmacy services.Experience of service development and quality improvementDesirableExperience of developing or implementing clozapine pathways or servicesProject Management and/or Quality Improvement Training
Training
EssentialEvidence of delivering education and training to healthcare professionals.Evidence of training and experience in medicines safety, risk management and clinical governance.DesirableClinical supervisor or educational supervisor training
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialMaster of Pharmacy degree, or equivalent qualificationRegistration with General Pharmaceutical CouncilNon-Medical Prescribing (or be willing to work towards)Postgraduate diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, or equivalent experienceDesirablePostgraduate qualification in Psychiatric TherapeuticsFull Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy (CMHP) (credentialed status)Leadership or management qualification
Experience
EssentialSignificant experience working within specialist mental health pharmacy services.Experience of service development and quality improvementDesirableExperience of developing or implementing clozapine pathways or servicesProject Management and/or Quality Improvement Training
Training
EssentialEvidence of delivering education and training to healthcare professionals.Evidence of training and experience in medicines safety, risk management and clinical governance.DesirableClinical supervisor or educational supervisor trainingDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameBradford District Care NHS Foundation TrustAddressLynfield Mount HospitalHeights LaneBradfordBD9 6DPUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameBradford District Care NHS Foundation TrustAddressLynfield Mount HospitalHeights LaneBradfordBD9 6DPUnited KingdomEmployer's website