241229 Pharmacy technician Team Manager, Clinical Trials (SNIS)

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.

Are Ready to take on your next big challenge?

Step into the world of Clinical Trials and be part of something extraordinary. This is your chance to help deliver cutting‑edge, life‑changing therapies that are shaping the future of medicine. Join us on the front line of innovation where every day brings new discoveries, and your work truly makes a difference.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of medicine through research, contributing to the delivery of NHS Lothian’s ambitious clinical trials portfolio across a wide range of specialties. You’ll play a pivotal role in managing and delivering clinical trials including advanced therapies and emerging innovative treatments, aligned with NHS Lothian’s pharmacy and research strategies.

NHS Lothian Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team plays a vital role in delivering around 200 clinical trials across multiple sites, covering a broad spectrum of clinical specialties. We’re looking for a motivated and enthusiastic pharmacy technician team manager with strong professional judgement to join our well‑established multidisciplinary team.

This is a brand new role that has come from a recent service redesign. In this role, you’ll contribute to the strategic and operational planning of pharmacy clinical trials service across NHS Lothian and help ensure the highest standards apply to all aspects of clinical trial activity and medicine supply. You will lead and develop the technical team within this team’s structure ensuring a resilient and responsive workforce to underpin the skill set required to deliver this essential function of clinical trial delivery. You will also plan and manage the service workflow, training and workforce recruitment and development for staff working within the service.

Although based at the Western General Hospital, the position requires regular presence at other NHS sites.

This a fantastic opportunity to join our forward‑thinking and innovative team, dedicated to modernising pharmacy services and expanding the roles of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff in delivering high‑quality clinical trials.

You’ll play a key role in developing services that improve patient access to clinical trials and enhance how we deliver care. Your work will span multiple sites, giving you exposure to a wide range of new drugs from different clinical specialties.

Join a dynamic organisation that values innovation, research, and excellence in healthcare delivery.

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• National Certification in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
  
• SVQ Level III qualification in pharmacy sciences or equivalent.
  
• HNC in Pharmacy Services Development and Management or ability to demonstrate equivalent skills and experience (should be evidenced within application). However, individuals who do not possess this qualification but can demonstrate equivalent professional experience may also be considered. In such instances, a Mapping Assessment Form must be completed and submitted as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to contact us in advance for further guidance on the completion and submission of this documentation.
  
• HN Unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians
  

Or Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before).

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• D32/33 Work Based Assessor Certificate.
  
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
  
• Formal Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) – to be obtained within 3 months of starting post if not already in place.
  

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• Experience of working in a pharmacy technician role at a senior level with the line management skills and proven leadership skills.
  
• Specialist knowledge and experience of working in clinical trials gained through relevant training courses (must be completed within the first 12 months in post) e.g. NES Pharmacy Clinical Trials module, GCP Certification, NIHR IMP management module, Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) eLearning.
  

NHS Lothian covers Edinburgh city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We are the second largest health system in NHS Scotland and one of only four teaching Boards. We have strategic partnerships with local Universities, Local Authorities and our four Integration Joint Boards. We serve a population of 900,000, providing a range of primary, community based and acute hospital services.

We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional development, making NHS Lothian an exciting place to work and grow your career.

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. However, we understand that there's only so much a job pack can convey. 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.

Reach out to:

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• Hazel Milligan, Lead Pharmacist, Clinical Trials – –
  
• Ben Elliott, Advanced Pharmacist‑Cancer Clinical Trials – –
  

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‑rated. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

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.

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.

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. 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.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

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• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
  
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
  
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI‑generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
  

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

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.