Senior Pharmacy Support Worker

NHS Shetland; Lerwick; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Distant Island Allowance

Job summary

NHS Shetland seeks a Senior Pharmacy Support Worker to join our team on a part-time basis (22.5 hours per week). The role supports Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to ensure medicines are provided safely and efficiently across hospital, vaccination centre and NHS sites.

The post requires a minimum of 3 National 5s in English, Mathematics and another science. Training will be provided, with a pathway to SVQ in Pharmacy Services (SCQF Level 6).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 National 5 or equivalent in English, Mathematics and at least one other science subject.
• On-the-job training provided with a vocational training programme (SVQ in Pharmacy Services).
• Experience not required, training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Receive and distribute medications within the dispensary.
• Support vaccines and top up service to wards and stock areas.
• Date checking, cleaning and administrative filing.
• Work alongside Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to ensure safe, efficient medicines provision.

Skills

Dispensing medicines

Stock management

Vaccine service

Administrative work

Education

National 5 in English

National 5 in Mathematics

National 5 in a science subject

SVQ Pharmacy Services (SCQF Level 6)

Job description

Part time 22.5 hours per week

Band 3 - Salary Range £29,103 - £31,409 per annum (pro rata)

Distant Island Allowance of £2,578 per annum (pro rata)

(Ref: 261676)

Substantive

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our fabulous pharmacy team, as a senior pharmacy support worker (PSW). The post holder will work alongside Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to ensure that medicines are provided safely and efficiently within the hospital, vaccination centre and other NHS sites.

The PSW fulfils a vital role within the dispensary receiving and distributing medications, stock management, dispensing of medicines, vaccine service, top up service to wards and other stock holding areas. Other general duties include date checking, cleaning and administrative work including filing.

This post requires a minimum of 3 national 5 or equivalent in English, Mathematics and at least one other science subject. Previous experience is not necessary as training will be provided. This role required the post holder to work towards a vocational training programme: SVQ in Pharmacy Services (SCQF Level 6). Time during work will be provided for this training.

Rise to the challenge and enjoy the opportunity - Shetland is a wonderful place to live and work. Shetland offers low pollution, low crime, excellent schools, great leisure facilities, unique wildlife and amazing scenery, whilst still only a short flight away from the UK mainland. To find out more about living and working in Shetland go to and/or

You will be expected to comply with the Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers within 3 months of commencing your role details can be viewed on

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.

Please note that this post is not eligible for sponsorship in line with current Gov.uk guidance. It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship BEFORE submitting any applications. Further information can be found

Preferred candidates will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: 29 November 2026

Interview date: 14 December 2026

• Please note this is a local advertisement and no relocation or interview expenses are applicable.