Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
The State Hospital, Carstairs, Lanarkshire
Band 6 | up to 1.0 WTE (up to 37 hours/week)
Fixed Term or 12-month Secondment opportunity
£41,608 - £50,702 plus Higher Clinical Environmental Allowance £1,750 & High Secure Clinical Responsibility Allowance £4,201
Are you an experienced pharmacy technician looking to shape a new role and develop your leadership skills in an interesting, unique and supportive environment?
This newly created role is a 12‑month fixed‑term / secondment opportunity with potential for a permanent post.
About the Role
This unique opportunity would allow you to shape and develop:
- Professional and operational leadership to The State Hospital pharmacy technical team comprising technicians and a pharmacy support worker.
- Clinical technician services, leading on their evolution to meet both current and future needs.
- Management of the technical team including performance management and appraisal.
- Training, education and staff development, helping colleagues achieve their potential.
- Patient‑facing care, contributing to a safe, effective and person‑centred pharmacy service.
NHS Lothian provide pharmacy services under Service Level Agreement. This comprises the onsite clinical pharmacy team and co-ordination of medicines supply via St John’s Hospital, Livingston.
There is no weekend working, and we welcome applications for part‑time hours or job‑share arrangements. Salary and allowances will be pro rata for part-time.
Why Join Us?
- You’ll be joining a dedicated and ambitious pharmacy team delivering high‑quality, person‑centred care.
- Opportunity to grow your clinical, leadership and service‑improvement skills within a truly unique and supportive environment. The State Hospital is one of only four high secure hospitals in the UK, supporting patient rehabilitation and safe transition to lower levels of security.
- We focus on every member of the team feeling valued and having the opportunity to develop and make best use of their skills.
- The State Hospital is a structured, safe and rewarding place to work, with truly multidisciplinary collaboration.
About you
We’re looking for a dynamic, motivated, experienced pharmacy technician who:
- Leads by example and champions high‑quality, advanced practice.
- Has excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Brings enthusiasm for service development and meticulous attention to detail.
- Is a team player, aligned with NHS Lothian values, committed to delivering quality patient care.
Essential qualifications and experience include:
- Pharmacy Technician General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration.
- National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent).
- 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*).
- Experience of planning, co-ordinating and managing a pharmacy technical service in a patient-focused environment.
*Individuals who do not possess the HNC who can demonstrate equivalent 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 completion and submission of this documentation.*
For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We know that choosing to work in a high secure setting is a big decision — and a job pack can only tell you so much. If you’d like to understand the environment, meet the team, or simply have an informal chat, we warmly encourage you to get in touch. We’re more than happy to answer questions or arrange a visit so you can see the working environment first hand.
For internal candidates: Please ensure that you have discussed your application with your line manager and that a completed and signed 'Pharmacy Secondment Approval Form' has been authorised prior to attending your interview.
We’d love to hear from you by phone or email:
Nicola Watkins, Lead Pharmacist (📞01555 842087, 📧 nicola.watkins@nhs.scot )
Alice Boron, Advanced Pharmacist (📞01555 842119, 📧 alice.boron2@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.
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.
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.
