231514 Lead Formulary Pharmacy Technician

Lead Formulary Pharmacy Technician

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Services

Medicines Advice and Guidance

Band 6 - 1 wte - 37 hours Permanent

£41,608 - £50,702

Do you want to play a key role in the development of the East Region Formulary and support health professionals to make safe, cost-effective, evidence-based prescribing decisions for the population of NHS Borders, NHS Fife and NHS Lothian?

If you are a motivated Pharmacy Technician who strives to promote evidence based, safe, cost-effective use of medicines and you have a track record of delivering results, this new role offers a unique and exciting opportunity. You will join our dynamic team as a Lead Formulary Pharmacy Technician and play a pivotal role in shaping regional prescribing practices—where your expertise will directly empower healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes. In this role within a supportive and friendly team you will stretch your skills in leadership and work with a variety of health professionals across the East Region.

About the Role

The Medicines Advice and Guidance team is a newly formed team bringing together medicines governance, the regional formulary team and medicines information. In this new role you will play an integral part in supporting the development, maintenance, and implementation of the regional formulary. The East Region includes NHS Borders, NHS Fife and NHS Lothian. NHS Lothian is responsible for the development and maintenance of the East Region Formulary, on behalf of the three Health Boards.

You will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues across primary, secondary and tertiary care and with the East Region Formulary Committee (ERFC) to ensure medicines decisions are aligned with national guidance and local/regional priorities. As a member of the Medicines Advice and Guidance Team you will support the strategic development and maintenance of systems to manage medicines across NHS Lothian.

Why Join Us?

At NHS Lothian, we value innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. As part of our pharmacy team, you'll benefit from:

• The opportunity to work on impactful projects that directly improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
• A chance to be part of one of Scotland's largest and most innovative health systems.
• Ongoing support for professional development, and further training opportunities.
• Within this post specifically, we offer an excellent opportunity to work alongside colleagues in health boards in the East Region where collaboration, innovation and service development are encouraged.
• You will be a key part of a collaborative and supportive multidisciplinary team, where your ideas and contributions are valued.
• This role provides professional development opportunities including developing advanced leadership and medicine governance skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the review and appraisal of new medicines submissions and formulary applications.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of formulary recommendations. This includes preparation of formulary pathways and maintenance of the formulary website.
• Analyse prescribing data and prepare reports to inform formulary decisions and monitor adherence.
• Assist in the implementation of Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advice.
• Provide education and training and expert pharmaceutical advice to support healthcare professionals in aspects of formulary and governance processes.
• Line management responsibility for the Information Officer (ERF).

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated pharmacy technician with a passion for delivering exceptional clinical care. You need to be a clear communicator, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You need to be proficient in data analysis, with an understanding of formulary and medicines governance processes. We value a proactive attitude, excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Essential Qualifications:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• National Certification in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
• SVQ level III qualification in pharmacy sciences or equivalent.
• HNC in Pharmacy Services Development and Management, equivalent qualification or experience based on the HNC Mapping Equivalency process.
• HN Unit: Procedures for Pharmacy Dispensary Checking Technicians OR Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Award (provided by Buttercups or NPA, 2019 or before).
• PDA – Assessment and Supply of Individual Patients' Medicines.
• D32.33 Work Based Assessor Certificate (or achieved within 24 months of being in post).
• Portfolio demonstrating competence of previous and current pharmacy practice skills, knowledge and continuing professional development

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian serves a population of 900,000 across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. As Scotland's second-largest health system, we are one of four teaching Boards, fostering strong partnerships with universities and research institutions. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is dedicated to delivering clinically led, person-centred care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.

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 linked below. We know that a job advert can only tell you so much. To discuss this opportunity further and explore how it could fit your career goals, reach out today to start the conversation – we'd love to hear from you The service will also consider flexible working where it can be accommodated.

Diane Murray | Lead Formulary Pharmacist

Lesley Macher | Lead Pharmacist Medicines Advice and Guidance

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.

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 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.

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.