212088 Pharmacy Support worker (AJM)

NHS Lothian; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Join NHS Lothian as a Pharmacy Support Worker at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, where you'll ensure patients receive their medicines safely. This entry-level role offers full training and the chance to develop valuable skills in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• No previous experience in healthcare is necessary.
• Support to achieve SCQF level 6 within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Receiving and checking deliveries of medicines and supplies.
• Helping to prepare medicines for patients under supervision.
• Contributing to the safe disposal of waste.

Skills

Reliable

Organised

Flexible

Willing to learn

Education

Nat 4 level with passes in English and Mathematics

Job description

Pharmacy Support Worker

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Band 2 | 1.0 WTE | 37 Hours

£24,647 - £26,763

(including evening, weekend, and public holidays commitment as required)

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

Start your career in Healthcare with NHS Lothian: Join Our Pharmacy Team!

Are you looking for a role where you can make a real difference to patients' lives while gaining valuable skills and qualifications? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the pharmacy team in our Dispensary and Distribution services at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

About The Role

As a Pharmacy Support Worker, you’ll be a vital part of our pharmacy team, helping to ensure patients receive the medicines they need, on time and safely. This is an entry-level position, so no previous experience in healthcare is necessary - we’ll provide you with full training and support to help you succeed.

Your Main Tasks Will Include

• Receiving and checking deliveries of medicines and supplies, ensuring everything is stored safely and correctly.
• Helping to prepare medicines for patients by selecting and assembling items under supervision.
• Keeping track of stock, checking expiry dates, and ordering new supplies so that nothing runs out.
• Contributing to the safe disposal of waste, ensuring our pharmacy environment is clean and organised.
• Assisting in the preparation of medicines for use in specialist cancer treatments, including assembling equipment and labelling.

This role is all about teamwork. You’ll be working closely with experienced pharmacy professionals who will guide you every step of the way. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in a variety of tasks, helping you develop valuable skills for a future career in healthcare or pharmacy services.

Why Join Us?

We’re committed to supporting our team members' growth and development. As a Pharmacy Support Worker, you’ll be:

• Working as part of a friendly, supportive team dedicated to providing life-changing treatments.
• Supporting the safe and efficient delivery of systemic anticancer therapy for oncology and haematology patients.
• Gaining hands-on experience in a variety of technical areas, helping ensure the smooth operation of our pharmacy services.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to start or develop their career in pharmacy. You should be educated to Nat 4 level with passes in English and Mathematics, and we will support you to achieve an SCQF level 6 and complete the Healthcare Support Worker standards within 12 months after your probation.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Reliable, organised, and flexible, with a passion for delivering high-quality care.
• Willing to learn and contribute to service improvement initiatives, including working in clinical areas to optimise medicines management.
• Previous experience in pharmacy services or stock management is beneficial but not essential - we’ll provide all the training you need to succeed.

Core working hours are 0900-1700, with flexible working arrangements available based on service needs.

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 Scotland's second-largest health system and home to one of its four teaching boards.

Our vision is to deliver clinically led, person-centred care that helps every team member flourish. Joining our pharmacy team means becoming part of an organisation committed to professional growth and making a real difference in patient care.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

For further details about this role, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below. If you’d like to discuss the role, the team, or the opportunities available, contact our hiring managers:

• Janet Cowan, Distribution Team Lead: 0131 537 6303
• Jacqueline Gilchrist, Pharmacy Technician: 0131 537 6303

We’re happy to answer your questions and help you explore whether this role is right for you.

Don’t wait — apply now!

This role requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If not currently a PVG member for the required group, an application must be made to Disclosure Scotland and approved before starting.

NHS Scotland is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to supporting candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, or neurodivergence by making reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process.