219191 Pharmacy Support Worker (AP)

NHS National Services Scotland; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join NHS Lothian's Pharmacy & Medicines Service as a Clinical Pharmacy Support Worker, based in cardiology and respiratory at the Western General Hospital. This permanent role offers career progression opportunities, a supportive environment, and the chance to significantly contribute to patient care by managing medicines and training fellow staff. With a focus on teamwork and personal development, this position is ideal for those passionate about healthcare and patient outcomes.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive and friendly team environment

Qualifications

• Previous experience in healthcare or pharmacy is essential.
• Willingness to complete a competency-based Group Award qualification.
• Alignment with NHS Lothian’s core values is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicines management for ward orders and ensure stock rotation.
• Check patients' medicines for suitability and continuity of supply.
• Support training and development of the pharmacy support team.

Skills

Teamwork

Patient Care

Organizational Skills

Medicines Management

Education

SCQF Level 6

Job description

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.

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.

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service

Western General Hospital

Band 3 | 1.0 WTE | 37 Hours | Permanent

£28,011–£30,230

(including weekend and public holidays commitment)

Are you ready to take the next step in your healthcare career? Would you like to join a supportive team where you can develop advanced skills and contribute to the smooth operation of vital pharmacy services? If you have a passion for learning, teamwork, and improving patient care, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a difference.

About the Role

As a Clinical Pharmacy Support Worker (Higher Level) based in cardiology and respiratory at the Western General Hospital, a renowned teaching hospital with a reputation for excellence, you will be an integral part of both the clinical and pharmacy teams. In this role, you will:

• Take a lead role in medicines management for the ward, ensuring ward orders are placed and received in a timely manner, rotating stock, providing nurse education on medication supply and storage issues, and ensuring medicines availability to promote seamless patient care.
• Carry out higher-level activities, including the checking of patient’s own medicines to ensure suitability for use, ensuring continuation of medication supply, ordering medicines for inpatients, reducing missed doses and facilitating timely patient discharges.
• Support the training and development of the Clinical Pharmacy Support Worker team, ensuring high standards of service delivery.
• Spend time with the pharmacy team in the dispensary labelling and assembling prescribed medicines for inpatients and outpatients.

Why Join Us?

When you join NHS Lothian’s Pharmacy & Medicines Service, you’re joining a team that values professional growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s why this role could be perfect for you:

• Career progression: Gain advanced skills through structured training and expand your scope of practice.
• Supportive environment: Work with a friendly, professional team that is committed to helping you succeed.
• Impactful work: Contribute to the efficient supply of medicines, directly supporting high-quality patient care.
• Flexibility: We offer flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a better work-life balance.

About you

• Educated to SCQF Level 6, with the willingness to complete an in-house competency-based Group Award college-accredited qualification within 12 months of starting. We will support you to complete this qualification in-post if you do not already hold it.
• Previous experience in healthcare or pharmacy is essential.
• A passion for learning and development, with a professional attitude and commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
• Personal values aligned with NHS Lothian’s core values: quality, teamwork, care, compassion, dignity, respect, openness, honesty, and responsibility.

If you’re enthusiastic, organised, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian is Scotland’s second-largest health system, serving a population of 900,000 across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is committed to delivering person-centred, clinically led care, ensuring patients benefit fully from their medicines. At the Western General Hospital, you’ll join a team dedicated to excellence in patient care and professional development.

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. We know that a job pack can only tell part of the story. To find out more about this exciting opportunity and how it could fit your career aspirations, we warmly invite you to contact:

Heather Symons, Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician
0131 537 1267| [e-mail]

Or

Chloe Sharp, Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician n
0131 537 1267 [e-mail]

Take the first step toward a rewarding career in pharmacy—apply now!

**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**

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.