Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) – Band 4 (Annexe 21)

Would you like the opportunity to earn while you learn and work towards a professional qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician?

We are looking to recruit a motivated and committed trainee pharmacy technician to undertake a 2-year distance learning training programme during which you will work towards the Diploma in Pharmacy Services. This includes completing the Professional Development Award (PDA) in Pharmacy Services (SCQF 7) and SVQ in Pharmacy Services (SCQF 8) while developing your knowledge and skills under the supervision and support of our pharmacy team.

For this role you will be based in the pharmacy department at Caithness General Hospital and gain experience working through the various aspects of our pharmacy service. Your role will be varied, learning and working with our pharmacy team to provide a high quality and professional, patient-focused service. One day a week during Scottish term time is dedicated towards the study component of the course and support in the workplace will be provided. Trainees are expected to contribute at least an additional 4 hours per week to studying in their own time.

There has been significant investment in pharmacy services in NHS Highland so this is a really exciting time to join our hospital pharmacy team.

Applicants must have the following qualifications as a minimum and be able to evidence these:

• National 5 grades A to C (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or other relevant academic courses or stand-alone units demonstrating achievement of English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology at SCQF Level 5

• Or

• SQA in Pharmacy Services SCQF level 6 or equivalent and any required progression courses to meet the above academic criteria.
• If English is not your first language, IELTS 7 is required (regulatory GPhC requirement).

• In addition to academic qualifications we are looking for applicants who can evidence an enthusiasm for learning and development, a professional attitude and a passion for working within the wider healthcare care team.

  On successful completion of the programme and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council you will join the pharmacy team as a Pharmacy Technician at Band 4 and have the opportunity to continue your career by completing the NHS Education Scotland Vocational Training Foundation Programme for Pharmacy Technicians.

  Hours of work are: 36 hours per week Monday to Friday and a public holiday commitment on a rota basis.

  You will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland and to comply with the Code of Conduct throughout your employment.

  *Please note this is a Trainee post, therefore Annex 21 applies.

  For trainees covered by Annex 21 where the period of training lasts for between one and four years, pay will be as follows:

• Year 1: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.
• Year 2: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.

• For further guidance on Annex 21 – please follow this link: Annex 21 – Arrangements for pay and banding of trainees or Changes to the Agenda for Change handbook: Annex 21

  Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

  For informal enquiries please contact: Jen Cowie, Senior Pharmacy Technician via email: jennifer.cowie5@nhs.scot

  or

  Sarah Railton, Lead Pharmacy Technician Education and Training, NHS Highland and Islands via email: sarah.railton@nhs.scot

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part-time hours will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis. There will be an increase in the hourly rate to ensure that pay remains unaffected.
• Please ensure the address on your application form reflects your current place of residence for your present workplace and can be verified through your identification documents.
• Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers. / Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd‑labhairt na Gàidhlig.
• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for short listing purposes
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date
• For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
• To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/
• Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately
• Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and also your Jobtrain account for updates
• Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub - https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home for advice and support with any system issues
• We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a member of staff, please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Highland

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

Care and compassion	Dignity and respect	Openness, honesty and responsibility	Quality and teamwork