Annex 21 Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (LW)

NHS Scotland; Dunfermline; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Earn while you learn

Fully funded vocational training

Career progression in NHS Scotland

Job summary

NHS Fife is offering a fully funded two-year Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician programme. You will be employed from day one, earning a salary while training to register with the GPhC.

You will complete the Diploma in Pharmacy Services while gaining practical experience in GP practices, community and primary care settings. PVG clearance and UK work eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• IELTS score of 7 if English is not your first language.
• Applicants must meet eligibility for the Modern Apprenticeship programme and have right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Complete the Diploma in Pharmacy Services via West College Scotland.
• Undertake structured workplace learning across primary care pharmacy settings during the two-year programme.

Skills

Right to work in UK

Education

National 5 Biology

National 5 Chemistry

National 5 English

National 5 Mathematics

One additional subject

Job description

• 2 posts at Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline, Fife
• Year 1: 70% of Band 4 salary (currently aligned to the Real Living Wage – approx. £12.60/hour)
• Year 2: 75% of Band 4 salary

Earn While You Learn. Build a Professional Career in Healthcare.

Have you considered a career in healthcare but feel university may not be the right route for you?

Would you like to gain a nationally recognised professional qualification, develop valuable clinical skills and build a rewarding healthcare career whilst earning a salary?

If so, a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician role with NHS Fife could be the perfect opportunity.

As a trainee Pharmacy Technician, you will be employed by NHS Fife from day one whilst completing a fully funded vocational training programme leading to registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Unlike many traditional higher education routes, you will earn a salary throughout your training whilst gaining practical experience in real healthcare environments.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and supportive Primary Care Pharmacy Team with a strong track record of developing successful Pharmacy Technicians. Many of our previous trainees have progressed into Pharmacy Technician, Senior Pharmacy Technician and Specialist Pharmacy Technician roles within NHS Fife.

Why Choose This Route?

During your training you will:

• Earn a salary whilst you learn.
• Gain a nationally recognised professional qualification.
• Work alongside experienced Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacists and GP Practice teams.
• Develop clinical, technical and communication skills.
• Gain valuable workplace experience from the very start of your career.
• Qualify as a registered Pharmacy Technician without university tuition fees.
• Join a profession with excellent career progression opportunities across NHS Scotland.
• Develop digital learning and professional skills that will support your future career.

About the Training Programme

Based within Primary Care Pharmacy Services, you will complete the Diploma in Pharmacy Services through West College Scotland whilst undertaking structured workplace learning across a range of pharmacy settings.

The programme combines:

• Knowledge-based learning (PDA in Pharmacy Services SCQF Level 7)
• Vocational training (SVQ in Pharmacy Services SCQF Level 8)
• Workplace competency assessment

Learning resources, tutorials and supporting materials are delivered online, allowing trainees to develop effective digital learning, study and time-management skills alongside practical workplace experience.

You will spend time within our Primary Care Pharmacy training hub, GP practice environments and community pharmacy placements, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician. NHS Fife has an established trainee support programme and is committed to providing a high-quality learning experience that enables trainees to succeed and progress within the profession. On successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and apply for Pharmacy Technician posts across NHS Scotland.

Important Information About the Programme

Please note that these are the minimum entry requirements for the programme.

The course is academically demanding and requires motivation, commitment, resilience and strong organisational skills. Successful applicants will be expected to balance study requirements with workplace learning throughout the two-year programme and should be prepared to work at a high academic and professional standard.

Much of the knowledge-based learning is delivered through online resources and tutorials. Applicants should therefore be comfortable with independent learning, managing their workload and working towards deadlines whilst undertaking a full-time training post.

Minimum Entry Requirements

National 5 qualifications at Grades A-C (or equivalent) in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Mathematics
• One additional subject

Additional Requirement

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 7 is required in line with GPhC regulatory standards.

Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements for the Modern Apprenticeship programme and have the appropriate right to work in the United Kingdom at the point of appointment.

We actively encourage informal enquiries and would be delighted to speak with anyone interested in learning more about the role, the team, or career opportunities within NHS Fife Primary Care Pharmacy. For an informal discussion, please contact: Michelle Jackson, Lead Pharmacy Technician [e-mail] Louise Hamilton, Specialist Pharmacy Technician [e-mail] Martin Jackson, Specialist Pharmacy Technician [e-mail]

A requirement of this post is to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Prior To appointment.

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.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website here.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.

We offer flexible working and family-friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Please note the salary is pro rata for part-time hours.

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 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.