Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Accredited Clinical Coder

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

We are rapidly expanding, currently seeking an Accredited Clinical Coder to join our growing and innovative team at an acute hospital within the NHS. This is an exciting new post in our cohesive and established team. We are seeking a confident and passionate individual who thrives on change and wants to make a difference to the outcomes of our patients and staff.

Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP)* payment payable, and a generous relocation package! Flexible hybrid and remote working opportunities.

* This post will attract a RRP totalling approx. £5000* (which is payable in instalments over 2 years)plusa relocation package for those moving to the area (subject to eligibility criteria). For more information, please enquire about the relocation policy.

*Subject to slight variation due to % of salary being applied

Please be aware that this role is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants should be aware of the requirement to independently obtain ongoing right to work in the UK beyond the expiry of any temporary or time-limited permissions. Evidence of this will need to be shared with the HR Team to ensure our records remain up to date.

Main duties of the job

The Clinical Coding Team is responsible for the extraction and translation of inpatient information using the ICD-10 and OPCS-4 Coding Classifications, following and in keeping with the well-defined national coding standards. This information is essential for the effective management of the Trust and crucial to the National tariff Payment System that underpins Trust income. Coded data is also important for clinical audit, governance and research.As an Accredited Clinical Coder, you will make judgements on complex clinical information requiring interpretation and comparing options from information provided electronically and in paper-based health records. Clinical Coders have a crucial role in the provision of mandatory data for information, financial and reporting purposes both at local and national level. The post holder will be expected to be an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) through completion of the National Clinical Coding Qualification. As part of the role of the post-holder is expected to interact with clinicians, operational staff and have responsibility for own workload whilst maintaining accuracy and completeness of own clinical coding, as well as assisting in training and mentoring of trainees and less experienced team members.

About us

At Dorset County Hospital (DCH) we aspire to providing outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them. Our trust strategy is focussed on three strategic goals: People, Place, and Partnership. It signals our intention to truly value our staff. Our people are our most important asset, and we want them to feel valued, welcomed, respected, they belong and matter. We recognise the link between high levels of staff satisfaction and improving patient experience and outcomes.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Dorset County Hospital has a number of employees from overseas delivering high quality services and we recognise the value of diversity in leadership. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented at Board level.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.

Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

405-25-AC315ACC-A

Job locations

South Walks House

South Walks

Dorchester

DT1 1UZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the role please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the role please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

Accredited Clinical Coder (Successful pass of National clinical Coding Qualification)
Completion of mandatory clinical coding training (refresher, standards updates etc)

Desirable

Degree qualification or equivalent experience in clinical coding within an acute hospital setting

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Significant experience of coding inpatient activity across a wide range of specialities within an acute NHS Trust setting
Significant knowledge, experience and understanding of ICD 10 and OPCS 4 coding classifications and standards applicable to NHS inpatient activity
Proven ability to extract & analyse complex clinical information.
Significant understanding of medical terminology and anatomy & physiology.
Good understanding of the importance of clinical coding and its uses and the impact of data issues.
Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
Significant experience of using paper and electronic records to extract clinical information

Desirable

Good IT skills, experience using Microsoft applications.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Good organisational skills and attention to detail
Ability to communicate and cooperate with other members of staff in a professional and effective manner
Ability to work to strict deadlines within defined policies and procedures
Ability to self -motivate and to make appropriate judgments about when to seek guidance.
Ability to hold and maintain a detailed understanding of national clinical coding standards with the ability to apply these across a wide range of coding scenarios, often highly complex.
Ability to mentor and support trainee Clinical Coders
Ability to plan, prioritise and manage own workload.
Reliable, enthusiastic with an ability to adapt to change.
Experience working within a team environment, supporting colleagues in achieving the teams' goals
Commitment to continuing professional development.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

Accredited Clinical Coder (Successful pass of National clinical Coding Qualification)
Completion of mandatory clinical coding training (refresher, standards updates etc)

Desirable

Degree qualification or equivalent experience in clinical coding within an acute hospital setting

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Significant experience of coding inpatient activity across a wide range of specialities within an acute NHS Trust setting
Significant knowledge, experience and understanding of ICD 10 and OPCS 4 coding classifications and standards applicable to NHS inpatient activity
Proven ability to extract & analyse complex clinical information.
Significant understanding of medical terminology and anatomy & physiology.
Good understanding of the importance of clinical coding and its uses and the impact of data issues.
Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
Significant experience of using paper and electronic records to extract clinical information

Desirable

Good IT skills, experience using Microsoft applications.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Good organisational skills and attention to detail
Ability to communicate and cooperate with other members of staff in a professional and effective manner
Ability to work to strict deadlines within defined policies and procedures
Ability to self -motivate and to make appropriate judgments about when to seek guidance.
Ability to hold and maintain a detailed understanding of national clinical coding standards with the ability to apply these across a wide range of coding scenarios, often highly complex.
Ability to mentor and support trainee Clinical Coders
Ability to plan, prioritise and manage own workload.
Reliable, enthusiastic with an ability to adapt to change.
Experience working within a team environment, supporting colleagues in achieving the teams' goals
Commitment to continuing professional development.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

South Walks House

South Walks

Dorchester

DT1 1UZ

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

South Walks House

South Walks

Dorchester

DT1 1UZ

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)