Pharmacy Technician - Higher Level

Job details

• Job reference: 261260
• Salary: Band 5 (£34,544 - £43,039)
• Job closing date: 19/10/2026
• Job Type: Other Therapeutic
• Location: Western General Hospital
• Employment type: Permanent
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 05/10/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Lothian
• Department: Pharmacy

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Pharmacy Technician Higher Level (Band 5)NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines ServiceWestern General HospitalBand 5 | 1.0 WTE | 36 Hours | Permanent£34,544 to £43,039(including evenings, weekends and public holidays commitment)

Advance Your Career as a Higher-Level Pharmacy TechnicianAre you an experienced pharmacy technician ready to take the next step in your career? Join our proactive and supportive pharmacy team and play a key role in delivering high-quality patient care.

About the RoleThis post is a ward-based role based primarily on Acute and General Medicine admission wards, with a weekly dispensary commitment, and the rotational cover of our Same Day Emergency Care department (SDEC).

As a Clinical Pharmacy Technician, you will work closely with both pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the safe, timely, and effective use of medicines.

Your responsibilities will include:• Taking comprehensive medication histories upon patient admission• Supporting medicines management throughout the inpatient stay• Verifying discharge prescriptions to ensure accuracy and continuity of care• Providing specialist counselling to patients to promote understanding and adherence to their medication regimens• Participate in regular ACT activities within the Dispensary• Directing the day-to-day workflow and supporting the senior technical team.• Deputising for the senior technician as required.

We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and passionate about improving patient outcomes through safe and effective medicines use.

What We Offer• A dynamic and collaborative working environment• Opportunities for professional development and training• A chance to make a real difference in patient care

About YouWe are seeking a dedicated and qualified individual who meets the following criteria:• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council• National Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent• Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Pharmacy Services• HN Unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians or Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before)• HNC in Pharmacy Services Development and Management or equivalent experience. 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• Demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing patient care through proactive and evidence-based pharmaceutical services.

About NHS LothianNHS 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.

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 focussed on creating an environment where each person in the team has the opportunity to flourish, develop and make best use of their skills.

Ready to Take the Next Step?For comprehensive details regarding the responsibilities of this position and the qualifications we are seeking, please consult the job description and person specification provided below.If you're curious about the role, the team you'll be joining, or the opportunities that come with it, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to the hiring manager for an informal chat; it's a great opportunity to ask questions and see how this role could fit with your career goals.

For further information please contact the following:

Heather Symons, Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician📞 0131 537 1267 Heather.Symons@nhs.scotorHonoratha Massawe, Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician📞 0131 537 1267 | Honoratha.massawe@nhs.scot

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.

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.

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.

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.