Principal Pharmacy Technician

NHS National Services Scotland; Scotland; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Scotland is seeking a Principal Pharmacy Technician to manage and support pharmacy technicians in GP practices. This role includes significant responsibilities in leading the pharmacy team and ensuring quality patient care through pharmacotherapy services. Candidates must have substantial pharmacy experience and be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The position is fixed-term until March 2026 and requires a UK driving license.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience as a qualified pharmacy technician, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Good knowledge of medicines management and prescribing practices.
• Commitment to Continuous Professional Development.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support pharmacy technicians in GP practices.
• Lead and develop the pharmacy technician team.
• Contribute to pharmacotherapy service delivery.

Skills

Team management

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

SQA Higher National Unit Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician

HNC Pharmacy Services Development and Management

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.

Who we are:

NHS Ayrshire and Arran is one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net)

Position:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Pharmacy Technician based at South Ayrshire.

Please note this vacancy is fixed term until March 2026.

What you will do:

We require an enthusiastic, self-motivated and innovative Principal Pharmacy Technician in Primary Care to manage and support pharmacy technicians and pre-registration pharmacy technicians working in GP practices in South Ayrshire. Ayrshire & Arran are participating in a programme with the Scottish Government to support delivery of a fuller pharmacotherapy service. This provides an opportunity to work with Health Improvement Scotland and the wider multidisciplinary teams to utilise the technical team to deliver excellent patient care. You will be responsible for leading, managing and developing the team of pharmacy technicians, working closely with senior pharmacists, to support the delivery of the pharmacotherapy service including prescribing improvement plans. You will also contribute to the work of the primary care pharmacy teams to provide pharmaceutical care to patients in GP practices and care homes to ensure safe, appropriate and cost effective use of medicines. This is a key role within the primary care pharmacy team which requires strong team management and leadership skills. An important part of this post will be to further develop the role of the General Practice Pharmacy Technicians and to identify training needs. The post requires a certain degree of autonomous working, being responsible for your own outcomes, and contributing to the prescribing support team objectives. This will require self-direction, confidence and problem solving skills.

For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description

Knowledge, training and/or experience required to do the job:

The post also requires good knowledge of medicines management and recent developments in prescribing work in GP practices. A flexible, adaptable approach is necessary with evidence of project and team work being advantageous. Good communication, organisational and IT skills
along with the ability to work with patients and other healthcare professionals will also be necessary. You will have substantial experience as a qualified pharmacy technician, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, with a commitment to Continuous Professional Development. The post requires SQA Higher National Unit Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) or community pharmacy equivalent -or able to demonstrate a highly specialised level of pharmacy knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning and judgement and HNC Pharmacy Services Development and Management (or currently undertaking), or equivalent qualifications to the same level. The Personal Development Award (or working towards) and a management qualification would be desirable. In future, in accordance with AfC Terms and conditions, you may be required to work over 7 days and/or an extended working day.

For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification

Hours:

18.5 hours per week

UK Driving Licence/Car Ownership:

A UK car licence/car ownership is essential to this role.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact [e-mail]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS CANDIDATES

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 within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

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.

The Recruitment Team are unable to answer individual queries at application stage about this, please visit here for further information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CANDIDATES

You should apply for this post by completing the application process on JobTrain.

• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
• For help to complete an application on JobTrain, please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
• Please note that our correspondence method is by email, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.
• Please check your email regularly (including junk folders) and also your JobTrain account for updates.
• Please contact JobTrain Candidate Support Hub: https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home - for advice and support with any system issues.
• We recommend using the Internet Browser “Google Chrome” or “Microsoft Edge” when using JobTrain.
• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments.
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a staff member, please ensure you update your JobTrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
• Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is, without exception, granted by UK Visas and Immigrations. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category. Candidates who require a Certificate of Sponsorship can access further information at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

We are unable to provide sponsorship for bank contracts.