Job summary
Would you like to join our Clinical Coding team as a Clinical Coder? Read on to learn more about this rewarding role and submit your application.
The Clinical Coding service is a part of the Digital Division of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN) and is responsible for extracting and codifying complex clinical information that describes a patient's diagnostic and procedural healthcare status within an episode of care in a timely manner.
The ability of the UHN Group to accurate record and codify its clinical activity is fundamental to understanding the quality of its clinical services. Our coded data is used by all parts of the Group's business to deliver trusted and high-quality services to patients.
Clinical Coders are a core component of the Clinical Coding service and have a crucial supporting role in the overall management of the Group as their output directly influences income through the NHS Payment Scheme.
Main duties of the job
As a Clinical Coder you will be responsible for codifying in a timely manner complex clinical activity according to all relevant National Clinical Coding Standards and Local Clinical Coding Policies.
You will be expected to evidence a good grasp of National Clinical Coding Standards (evidenced by audit results and attending regular Clinical Coding Standards Refresher courses and other associated training).
You will assist the Clinical Coding Team Leads to support and mentor Associate Clinical Coders and to achieve the submission of codified data in a timely manner.
You will work openly with your Clinical Coding Team Lead and Clinical Coding Trainer to develop your clinical coding knowledge and expertise. This will be evidenced by successfully passing a national examination within two years of commencing the post to become an Accredited Clinical Coder.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties
With the support of experienced colleagues extract, analyse and codify complex clinical information describing a patients diagnostic and procedural healthcare status within an episode of care using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications.
Ensure codified data is of high quality and accurate i.e., in line with all relevant National Clinical Coding Standards and Local Clinical Coding Policies.
Ensure codified data is entered into the Patient Administration System (PAS) in a timely manner i.e., within defined local and national timescales.
Where required work with other disciplines of staff who are necessary to the successful completion of accurate clinical coding, i.e., clinicians, providing and receiving complex information as appropriate.
Communicate complex coding rules to a range of staff involved in the coding process; medical, clinical and administrative staff, Senior Managers and external agencies, e.g. Coroners Office as appropriate.
Work with Health Intelligence colleagues to ensure high standards of data quality of various data items e.g., consultant, speciality, date of admission is achieved as evidenced by quality metrics such as the Data Quality Maturity Index (DQMI).
With the support of the Clinical Coding Team Leader and Accredited Clinical Coders, mentor new team members, or less experienced team members, supporting and guiding as appropriate.
Understand and adhere to the departments Clinical Coding Policy/Procedure document.
Digital Transformation and Innovate
Engage with the implementation of an Agile working methodology as suitable across the Clinical Coding function
Professional and Personal Development
Successfully complete a Clinical Coding Standards Refresher course every 3 years.
Develop and/or maintain an in-depth knowledge and expertise of clinical coding across all specialties.
Develop and/or maintain a reasonable Digital skills capability including proficient use of the encoder software, PAS and Microsoft Office 365.
The post holder will work openly with their Clinical Coding Team Lead and the Clinical Coding Trainer to develop their clinical coding knowledge and expertise. This will be evidenced by successfully passing a national examination within two years of commencing post to become an Accredited Clinical Coder.
The post holder will take joint responsibility for their own professional development, identifying training and educational needs and agreeing ways of addressing these with their line manager at regular 121 meetings and appraisals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties
With the support of experienced colleagues extract, analyse and codify complex clinical information describing a patients diagnostic and procedural healthcare status within an episode of care using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications.
Ensure codified data is of high quality and accurate i.e., in line with all relevant National Clinical Coding Standards and Local Clinical Coding Policies.
Ensure codified data is entered into the Patient Administration System (PAS) in a timely manner i.e., within defined local and national timescales.
Where required work with other disciplines of staff who are necessary to the successful completion of accurate clinical coding, i.e., clinicians, providing and receiving complex information as appropriate.
Communicate complex coding rules to a range of staff involved in the coding process; medical, clinical and administrative staff, Senior Managers and external agencies, e.g. Coroners Office as appropriate.
Work with Health Intelligence colleagues to ensure high standards of data quality of various data items e.g., consultant, speciality, date of admission is achieved as evidenced by quality metrics such as the Data Quality Maturity Index (DQMI).
With the support of the Clinical Coding Team Leader and Accredited Clinical Coders, mentor new team members, or less experienced team members, supporting and guiding as appropriate.
Understand and adhere to the departments Clinical Coding Policy/Procedure document.
Digital Transformation and Innovate
Engage with the implementation of an Agile working methodology as suitable across the Clinical Coding function
Professional and Personal Development
Successfully complete a Clinical Coding Standards Refresher course every 3 years.
Develop and/or maintain an in-depth knowledge and expertise of clinical coding across all specialties.
Develop and/or maintain a reasonable Digital skills capability including proficient use of the encoder software, PAS and Microsoft Office 365.
The post holder will work openly with their Clinical Coding Team Lead and the Clinical Coding Trainer to develop their clinical coding knowledge and expertise. This will be evidenced by successfully passing a national examination within two years of commencing post to become an Accredited Clinical Coder.
The post holder will take joint responsibility for their own professional development, identifying training and educational needs and agreeing ways of addressing these with their line manager at regular 121 meetings and appraisals.
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at least Grade C/Grade 4 or equivalent qualification
- Successful completion of a Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course within the last 3 years
- Successful completion of a Clinical Coding Standards Course
Desirable
- A Level in a STEM subject at least Grade C or equivalent qualification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Strong knowledge of National Clinical Coding Standards as evidenced by audit results and in-house examination
- Strong knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology
- Good level of knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite
- Administration and clerical experience in an office environment
- Experience with accurate data entry
- At least 2 years' experience of working in an Acute NHS Trust or equivalent knowledge
- Experience with hospital and/or clinical information systems
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience with SNOMED-CT
- Good understanding of the relationship between codified data and HRG allocation and the various uses of codified data across the NHS
- Experience of mentoring colleagues
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work positively under time pressures
- Ability to work to a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload to ensure timescales are met
- Ability to apply self-learning directive to maintain and develop own skills and knowledge
- Fast and accurate keyboard skills with good IT skills
- Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality, the Data Protection Act and Caldicott principles
- Ability to maintain frequent prolonged concentration with a VDU
- Capable of safely lifting and handling medical records
Person Specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at least Grade C/Grade 4 or equivalent qualification
- Successful completion of a Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course within the last 3 years
- Successful completion of a Clinical Coding Standards Course
Desirable
- A Level in a STEM subject at least Grade C or equivalent qualification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Strong knowledge of National Clinical Coding Standards as evidenced by audit results and in-house examination
- Strong knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology
- Good level of knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite
- Administration and clerical experience in an office environment
- Experience with accurate data entry
- At least 2 years' experience of working in an Acute NHS Trust or equivalent knowledge
- Experience with hospital and/or clinical information systems
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience with SNOMED-CT
- Good understanding of the relationship between codified data and HRG allocation and the various uses of codified data across the NHS
- Experience of mentoring colleagues
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work positively under time pressures
- Ability to work to a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload to ensure timescales are met
- Ability to apply self-learning directive to maintain and develop own skills and knowledge
- Fast and accurate keyboard skills with good IT skills
- Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality, the Data Protection Act and Caldicott principles
- Ability to maintain frequent prolonged concentration with a VDU
- Capable of safely lifting and handling medical records
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
