262442 (LI) Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician

NHS National Services Scotland; Livingston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic environment

Professional development

Impact on patient care

Job summary

NHS National Services Scotland is seeking a Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician to work with pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, timely use of medicines. You will supervise staff and drive competency-based training, maintain records, and support service improvement.

The role emphasizes leadership, governance, and patient-focused pharmaceutical services within a dynamic NHS environment.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Final Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) qualification (HN Unit).
• Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Pharmacy Services Development and Management or equivalent.
• Work Based Assessor Certificate to be obtained within 24 months of appointment.
• PVG Scheme membership/record required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage staff within clinical services.
• Deliver competency-based training to pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams.
• Maintain governance records, documentation and audit trails.
• Lead service improvement projects and quality initiatives.
• Provide medicines management guidance and patient-facing information.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Co-ordination

Communication

Education

Final ACT qualification

HNC in Pharmacy Services Development and Management

Work Based Assessor Certificate

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.

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• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn.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.

Advance Your Career as a Pharmacy Technician

Are 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 Role

As a Lead 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:

• Supporting the day-to-day co-ordination of work within clinical services, including supervision and management of staff.

• Contributing to staff development by preparing, regularly evaluating and delivering comprehensive competency-based training to all members of the pharmacy and multidisciplinary team.

• Maintaining accurate records, documentation and audit trails in line with governance and quality standards.
• Participating actively in service improvement and change initiatives, including audit, workflow reviews and quality improvement projects.
• Supporting the hospital site for medicines management issues and promoting adherence to the safe use of medicines policy.
• Provide information and guidance to patients on the safe and effective use of their medicines to aid patient understanding and conducting medicine reconciliations with appropriate sources.

We are looking for a proactive, organised and motivated pharmacy technician who can bring leadership and a commitment to ongoing service improvement across our clinical services.

Please note that there are 2 posts available 1 x 36 hours and 1 x 28.8 hours

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 You

We are seeking a dedicated and qualified individual who meets the following criteria:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Holds a Final Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) qualification (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.

• Holds a Work Based Assessor Certificate (to be obtained within 24 months of appointment to post if not already in place)
• Enjoys working in a dynamic environment, contributing to positive service change.
• Is confident in leading, planning, coordinating and supporting a clinical team in a patient focused environment.
• Brings enthusiasm for service development and meticulous attention to detail.
• Communicates effectively with a wide range of different staff.
• Is organised, proactive and a team-player, leading by example.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing patient care through proactive and evidence-based pharmaceutical services.

About NHS Lothian

NHS 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:

Carrie-Anne Pringle - Technical Services Manager
01506 522029 | [e-mail]

or

Jane Watson, Lead Clinical Pharmacy Technician
01506 523034 | [e-mail]

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.

Please note: As this post is part-time, the salary will be pro-rata.