248391 R1 (SNIS) Pharmacy Technician

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Pharmacy Technician – Higher Level

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Services

Western General Hospital

Band 5 | 1.0 WTE | 36 hours per week | Permanent

£34,544 - £43,039

(Includes evenings, weekends and public holiday commitments)

The vision for the Pharmacy & Medicines service is to deliver clinically led, person-centred services to ensure patients across Lothian get the best from their medicines and pharmacy services. We are focused on creating an environment where each person in the team has the opportunity to flourish, develop and make best use of their skills.

Why Join Us?

The Western General Hospital (WGH) is a large teaching hospital with an established reputation for offering the best practice across a wide variety of specialist services. It is also home to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, which is a leading centre for cancer services provision.

We are looking for a reliable and dependable higher level Pharmacy Technician who is a great team worker and professional, flexible and holds a strong work ethic.

About the Role

This post is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic pharmacy technician to:

• Work closely with the Dispensary Manager and the Dispensary Operational Team Lead to organise, maintain and develop the service
• Collaborate closely with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers
• Undertake leadership responsibilities including line management and mentorship for pre-registration and registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers
• Involvement in the organisation of the day-to-day workflow in the dispensary by delegating tasks and duties to the team where appropriate

The successful candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills and strong leadership skills, as this post requires the training and development of rotational technical staff. You should be able to manage your own workload and will be responsible for helping to organise the day-to-day workflow in the dispensary by delegating tasks and duties to the team. There is a commitment to continuing professional development.

About You

We are seeking a dedicated and qualified individual who meets the following criteria:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

• Holds a Final Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) qualification (HN Unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians or Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before)

• Candidates are expected to hold a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Pharmacy Services Development and Management. However, individuals who do not possess this qualification but can demonstrate equivalent professional experience may also be considered. In such instances, a Mapping Assessment Form must be completed and submitted as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to contact us in advance for further guidance on the completion and submission of this documentation. If you are shortlisted you will receive detailed guidance, including instructions and timelines, for completing and submitting this documentation.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing patient care through proactive and evidence-based pharmaceutical services.

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian covers Edinburgh city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We are the second largest health system in NHS Scotland and one of only four teaching Boards. We have strategic partnerships with local Universities, Local Authorities and our four Integration Joint Boards. We serve a population of 900,000, providing a range of primary, community based and acute hospital services. We also provide regional and national services across a range of clinical specialties.

Ready to Take the Next Steps?

For further information on what is included in the role and the skills or experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification. However, we understand that there’s only so much a job pack can convey. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting role, the team you’ll be joining, pr the opportunities available, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with the hiring manager. This is a great chance to have an informal discussion, ask questions, and explore how this role aligns with your career goals.

We’d love to hear from you! Please phone or email:

Nicola Monaghan, Dispensary Operational Team Lead

📞 0131 537 1210 | Nicola.monaghan2@nhs.scot

David Barry, Dispensary Manager

📞 0131 537 1210 | David.barry@nhs.scot

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Pharmacy Technician – Higher Level

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Services

Western General Hospital

Band 5 | 1.0 WTE | 36 hours per week | Permanent

£34,544 - £43,039

(Includes evenings, weekends and public holiday commitments)

The vision for the Pharmacy & Medicines service is to deliver clinically led, person-centred services to ensure patients across Lothian get the best from their medicines and pharmacy services. We are focused on creating an environment where each person in the team has the opportunity to flourish, develop and make best use of their skills.

Why Join Us?

The Western General Hospital (WGH) is a large teaching hospital with an established reputation for offering the best practice across a wide variety of specialist services. It is also home to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, which is a leading centre for cancer services provision.

We are looking for a reliable and dependable higher level Pharmacy Technician who is a great team worker and professional, flexible and holds a strong work ethic.

About the Role

This post is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic pharmacy technician to:

• Work closely with the Dispensary Manager and the Dispensary Operational Team Lead to organise, maintain and develop the service
• Collaborate closely with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers
• Undertake leadership responsibilities including line management and mentorship for pre-registration and registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers
• Involvement in the organisation of the day-to-day workflow in the dispensary by delegating tasks and duties to the team where appropriate

The successful candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills and strong leadership skills, as this post requires the training and development of rotational technical staff. You should be able to manage your own workload and will be responsible for helping to organise the day-to-day workflow in the dispensary by delegating tasks and duties to the team. There is a commitment to continuing professional development.

About You

We are seeking a dedicated and qualified individual who meets the following criteria:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

• Holds a Final Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) qualification (HN Unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians or Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before)

• Candidates are expected to hold a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Pharmacy Services Development and Management. However, individuals who do not possess this qualification but can demonstrate equivalent professional experience may also be considered. In such instances, a Mapping Assessment Form must be completed and submitted as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to contact us in advance for further guidance on the completion and submission of this documentation. If you are shortlisted you will receive detailed guidance, including instructions and timelines, for completing and submitting this documentation.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing patient care through proactive and evidence-based pharmaceutical services.

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian covers Edinburgh city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We are the second largest health system in NHS Scotland and one of only four teaching Boards. We have strategic partnerships with local Universities, Local Authorities and our four Integration Joint Boards. We serve a population of 900,000, providing a range of primary, community based and acute hospital services. We also provide regional and national services across a range of clinical specialties.

Ready to Take the Next Steps?

For further information on what is included in the role and the skills or experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification. However, we understand that there’s only so much a job pack can convey. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting role, the team you’ll be joining, pr the opportunities available, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with the hiring manager. This is a great chance to have an informal discussion, ask questions, and explore how this role aligns with your career goals.

We’d love to hear from you! Please phone or email:

Nicola Monaghan, Dispensary Operational Team Lead

📞 0131 537 1210 | Nicola.monaghan2@nhs.scot

David Barry, Dispensary Manager

📞 0131 537 1210 | David.barry@nhs.scot

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.