Annex 21 Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician inKirkcaldy inKirkcaldy PUBLISHED 28 AUG 2024

The Pharmacy Technician qualification is gained through a combination of knowledge-based learning (PDA in Pharmacy Services SCQF level 7) and vocational education (SVQ in Pharmacy Service at SCQF level 8) over 2 years.
Do you have an interest in pharmacy and medicines? Do you want to work in a caring profession? Do you want to work while you study? If so, we want to hear from you!

The NHS Fife Pharmacy & Medicines Directorate serves a population of approximately 380,000 people and is provided by an integrated team of around 300 Pharmacy staff, including Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Support Workers, Nurses, and Administrators. The team works across Acute and Community hospital sites, Mental Health services, and a range of specialist teams. Partnership working is at the core of our values, and we work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, to deliver the highest quality care for everyone in Fife.

This is an exciting opportunity to train to be a Pharmacy Technician across our pharmacy hospital service teams. As this is a training post, previous pharmacy experience is not essential.

Pharmacy Technicians work as part of the pharmacy team and in partnership with the wider multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients have safe and appropriate access to medicines in a wide range of healthcare settings. All our staff are focused on delivering patient centred care according to our NHS Fife values.

The Pharmacy Technician qualification is gained through a combination of knowledge-based learning (PDA in Pharmacy Services SCQF level 7) and vocational education (SVQ in Pharmacy Service at SCQF level 8) over 2 years. This is a newly developed qualification and is collectively called the ‘Diploma in Pharmacy Services’. On successful completion of the training you will register with the General Pharmaceutical Council in order to practice as a Pharmacy Technician. Successful candidates will require to invest some of their own time for study to ensure completion of the diploma within the 2 year timeframe.

Once registered you will be eligible to apply for a range of roles in various sectors of pharmacy, with further opportunities of progression available.

Applicants must have as a minimum

National 5 grades A or C (or equivalent) in Biology, Chemistry, English & Mathematics or approved access courses for example underpinning knowledge via Fife College.

Placements will be in pre-arranged block rotations across hospital services.

You will be based at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy but will be required to work throughout NHS Fife. To meet the needs of the service, you will work variable shifts and participate in a weekend and public holiday rota.

Trainees are paid a percentage of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate which is dependent on the duration of the training period (see Terms and Conditions).

Applications on a secondment basis will be considered providing you have prior agreement from your current line manager.

For informal enquiries, please contact Colin Sinclair, Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Education & Training or Graeme Smith, Medicines Supply Chain Manager,

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

NHS Scotland is reducing their full-time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay. This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff. Your offer/contract of employment will therefore reflect the new working hours. However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Hiring Manager.

NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.

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

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.
Do you have an interest in pharmacy and medicines? Do you want to work in a caring profession? Do you want to work while you study? If so, we want to hear from you!

The NHS Fife Pharmacy & Medicines Directorate serves a population of approximately 380,000 people and is provided by an integrated team of around 300 Pharmacy staff, including Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Support Workers, Nurses, and Administrators. The team works across Acute and Community hospital sites, Mental Health services, and a range of specialist teams. Partnership working is at the core of our values, and we work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, to deliver the highest quality care for everyone in Fife.

This is an exciting opportunity to train to be a Pharmacy Technician across our pharmacy hospital service teams. As this is a training post, previous pharmacy experience is not essential.

Pharmacy Technicians work as part of the pharmacy team and in partnership with the wider multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients have safe and appropriate access to medicines in a wide range of healthcare settings. All our staff are focused on delivering patient centred care according to our NHS Fife values.

The Pharmacy Technician qualification is gained through a combination of knowledge-based learning (PDA in Pharmacy Services SCQF level 7) and vocational education (SVQ in Pharmacy Service at SCQF level 8) over 2 years. This is a newly developed qualification and is collectively called the ‘Diploma in Pharmacy Services’. On successful completion of the training you will register with the General Pharmaceutical Council in order to practice as a Pharmacy Technician. Successful candidates will require to invest some of their own time for study to ensure completion of the diploma within the 2 year timeframe.

Once registered you will be eligible to apply for a range of roles in various sectors of pharmacy, with further opportunities of progression available.

Applicants must have as a minimum

National 5 grades A or C (or equivalent) in Biology, Chemistry, English & Mathematics or approved access courses for example underpinning knowledge via Fife College.

Placements will be in pre-arranged block rotations across hospital services.

You will be based at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy but will be required to work throughout NHS Fife. To meet the needs of the service, you will work variable shifts and participate in a weekend and public holiday rota.

Trainees are paid a percentage of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate which is dependent on the duration of the training period (see Terms and Conditions).

Applications on a secondment basis will be considered providing you have prior agreement from your current line manager.

For informal enquiries, please contact Colin Sinclair, Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Education & Training or Graeme Smith, Medicines Supply Chain Manager,

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

NHS Scotland is reducing their full-time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay. This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff. Your offer/contract of employment will therefore reflect the new working hours. However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Hiring Manager.

NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.

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

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.


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