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.
Dispensary Operational Team Lead
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service – Lauriston Pharmacy
Band 6 | 1.0 WTE | 37 hrs/week
Fixed Term/Secondment opportunity 9 months – £41,608 - £50,702 (including weekend and public holiday rota commitments)
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced registered pharmacy technician to join our pharmacy dispensary team at Lauriston, on a nine-month secondment. You will be part of the dispensary management team leading a team of core and rotational pharmacy technical and support staff. We invite applicants with post qualification knowledge and experience of dispensing services and management, training and supervision of others, to join the team delivering pharmaceutical care to patients in a variety of specialities.
About The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic leader who demonstrates a high level of professional practice and technical reasoning to implement local, regional and national strategies and work collaboratively with the wider pharmacy team and relevant teams in clinical services. The post holder will have responsibility for the clinical trials drug handling for an increasing portfolio of work including advanced investigational therapeutic medicinal products, stock accountability and ensuring appropriate drug storage and maintenance of storage temperature records within this site.
The job will require limited travel across hospital sites in NHS Lothian with a main base at the Lauriston site and includes participation in the weekend and public holiday rotas at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. 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.
Why Join Us?
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 focused on creating an environment where each person in the team has the opportunity to flourish, develop and make best use of their skills.
About You
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
* Substantial experience as a qualified pharmacy technician
* Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
* Hold a National Certificate in Pharmacy Services and Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
* Completed the HN unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians or Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before)
* HNC Pharmacy Services Development and Management qualification. If not possessed, equivalent professional experience may be considered with a Mapping Assessment Form
* Hold a recognised work‑based assessor’s certificate (if not already achieved, must be obtained within 24 months of starting in the position)
Skills And Attributes:
* Ability to work autonomously
* Good problem‑solving skills and ability to make decisions
* Experience of training and managing staff
About NHS Lothian
At NHS Lothian, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workforce. Serving a population of 900,000, we are the second‑largest health system in Scotland and home to one of its four teaching boards. Join a dynamic organisation that values innovation, research, and excellence in healthcare delivery.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
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. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting role, the team you’ll be joining, or the opportunities available, we warmly encourage you to get in touch with the hiring manager. This is a great chance to have an informal discussion, ask questions, and explore how this role aligns with your career goals.
For internal candidates: Please ensure that you have discussed your application with your line manager and that a completed and signed “Pharmacy Secondment Approval Form” has been authorised prior to attending your interview.
To Start The Conversation Contact
Janet Nicholson, Dispensary Technical Services Manager, RIE (0131 242 2914)
janet.nicholson@nhs.scot
Ewan McLean – ewan.mclean@nhs.scot
We’d love to hear from you! 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.
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 Immigration Service.
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 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. For more details on these changes please visit: .
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