Pharmacy Support Worker – Higher Level
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
Pharmacy Clinical Trials - Western General Hospital or Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker – Higher Level | 4 x 1.0 WTE | 37 Hours
(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 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 Pharmacy Support Worker (Higher Level) based in clinical trials at either the Western General Hospital or the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, renowned teaching hospitals with international reputation for excellence in research, you will be an integral part of the delivery of the pharmacy aspect of clinical research. In this role, you will take a lead role in the safe handling of investigational medicinal products (IMPs). This includes:
* Support the ordering, receipt, storage, and delivery of IMPs
* Assist in dispensing, drug accountability, and destruction of IMPs in accordance with SOPs and regulatory standards.
* Maintain accurate documentation and clinical trial files, including prescriptions and accountability logs.
* Process returned trial materials and prepare documentation for sponsor returns.
* Monitor and record storage conditions, reporting deviations promptly.
* Communicate effectively with research teams, sponsors, and pharmacy clinical trials team to resolve queries.
* Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Regulations, and NHS Lothian policies.
Comprehensive training and support will be provided to help you succeed in this role and meet its exciting ambitions as well having opportunities to develop your skills within a supportive team.
You may be required to work across other NHS Lothian sites to support the delivery of the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Service. While your primary base will be at either the Western General Hospital or the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, occasional travel to other sites may be necessary to meet service requirements.
Why Join Us?
Role
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 cutting edge research bringing new treatments to patients, directly supporting high-quality patient care.
About You
* Essential qualifications: National 4 (or equivalent) English, Mathematics and a Science (Biology or Chemistry). Educated to/or within 12 months following probationary period, completion of; SQA Pharmacy Services Group Award (GA) SCQF Level 6 and specific education requirements for individual areas within pharmacy. For Clinical Trials - Pharmacy Services SCQF Level 6 units Pharm 09, 13 and 14
* Completion of a comprehensive on the job training programme to be fully proficient within the pharmacy support worker role.
* Previous experience in healthcare or pharmacy is essential.
* A passion for learning and development, work accurately and follow detailed procedures 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. Within the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Service, you'll join a team dedicated to excellence in the delivery of research, patient care and professional development. Flexible working arrangements may be considered where they align with and support the operational requirements of the service.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Job Description
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:
Jacqueline Waters, Lead Pharmacy Technician – Clinical Trials,
Phone: WGH) or RIE)
Email:
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.
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.
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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.
Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.
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.
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.
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.