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.
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- Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn.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.
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
St John’s Hospital
Pharmacy Technician – Higher Level
Band 5, 1.0 wte, 36 hours, Permanent
£34,544 - £43,039
Are you an experienced pharmacy technician ready to take the next step in your career by joining a dynamic and pro-active pharmacy team?
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated pharmacy technician to join the clinical pharmacy team at St John’s Hospital. The post holder will be working at ward level and within the pharmacy department, supporting the wider pharmacy team with the safe and effective supply of medicines.
About the Role
This post is an excellent opportunity for an eager pharmacy technician looking to specialise or advance in a clinical setting. As a pharmacy technician at higher level, you will:
- Play a key role in the pharmaceutical care of patients
- Collaborate closely with the pharmacy team and wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to optimise patients’ medicines and care
- Provide counselling to patients on their medicines
- Support and develop other members of the pharmacy team
- Benefit from opportunities for service improvement, delivery of education and training and other personal and professional development initiatives
Why Join Us?
If you are passionate about delivering high quality, patient focused care and wish to expand on your knowledge, skills and experience as a registered pharmacy technician, in a clinical setting, we would love to hear from you.
About you
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
- Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- National Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
- Hold a National Certificate in Pharmacy Services and 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)
- Candidates should normally hold a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Pharmacy Services Development and Management. However, applicants who do not possess this qualification but can demonstrate equivalent professional experience may also be considered. In such cases, a completed Mapping Assessment Form and a supporting Portfolio of Evidence must be submitted as part of the application process (copies are included with the Job Description and Person Specification with this advert). Applicants who are shortlisted will receive detailed guidance, including instructions and timelines, for completing and submitting this documentation.
- A commitment to improving patient care through pro-active, evidence-based pharmaceutical services.
About NHS Lothian
At NHS Lothian, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workforce. Serving a population of 900,000, we are the second-largest health system in Scotland and home to one of its four teaching boards. Join a dynamic organisation that values innovation, research, and excellence in healthcare delivery.
The vision for the Pharmacy and Medicines service is to deliver clinically led, person-centered 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.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
For further information on what is included in the role and the skills/experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below. However, if you’d like to learn more about this exciting role, the team you’ll be joining, or the opportunities available then we 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.
For further information please contact the following:
📧 Contact: Rachel Clarke or Jane Watson
📩 Email: Rachel.clarke@nhs.scot or jane.watson5@nhs.scot
📞 Phone: 01506 523691 or 01506 522034
The post will include participation in weekend, evening and public holiday rotas.
As from 1st April 2026, 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.
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 cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early.
The email address you provide will be used for notifications. Please check your Junk and Spam inboxes as notifications may go directly to these.
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.
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.
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.
