Job summary
Join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Clinical Coder (Band 5 / Band 6)
We're looking for experienced, ACC-qualified clinical coders to join our Bedford team. You'll handle complex specialties like vascular, trauma & orthopaedics, and urology, confidently coding inpatient and deceased patient records. Flexibility, teamwork, and strong communication skills are essential to meet tight deadlines.
If you're not yet Band 6 but have a strong coding background and solid knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, ICD-10, OPCS 4.9, and National Clinical Coding Standards, consider our Band 5 developmental role, progression to Band 6 follows ACC certification.
Our Clinical Coding team plays a vital role within the IM&T Division, delivering critical data that supports clinical and managerial decisions Trust-wide. We use E.D.R.M.S and Medicode360, enabling remote working flexibility.
Ready to make an impact? Apply today!
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide an effective, accurate, timely, and consistent clinical coding service to the Trust and ensure all coding quality targets are achieved, assisting in audits as appropriate.
In order to expand individual knowledge and provide a more robust service to the Trust, you will be expected to code variety of speciality to increase your in-depth knowledge.
You will be expected to promote continuous improvement in data quality by keeping abreast of development and innovations in the medical, surgical, and coding disciplines. This role forms a key member of the data quality team which aims to provide credible, accurate, complete, and timely data for the Trust.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead Clinical Coders are required to create and maintain good communication links with Consultants and their clinical teams to ensure quality and depth of clinical coding is achieved. In order to achieve this they are required to communicate complex coding rules to various medical, clinical and administrative staff at all levels. Communication can be via telephone, in person, written, or by email.
To answer Clinical Commissioning Group challenges in code assignment in a timely manner.
To act as mentor to less experienced coding staff in understanding clinical coding rules. PbR and HRG (Healthcare Resource Groups), therefore having a sound knowledge of these processes themselves.
To be proficient in the Trusts many IT systems, including iPM, Medicode360, ICE, Clinical Correspondence, MediViewer (for ERDMS) and the Clinical Income Dashboard system.
To access the Trust histopathological database (ICE) to extract the relevant information when assigning appropriate clinical codes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead Clinical Coders are required to create and maintain good communication links with Consultants and their clinical teams to ensure quality and depth of clinical coding is achieved. In order to achieve this they are required to communicate complex coding rules to various medical, clinical and administrative staff at all levels. Communication can be via telephone, in person, written, or by email.
To answer Clinical Commissioning Group challenges in code assignment in a timely manner.
To act as mentor to less experienced coding staff in understanding clinical coding rules. PbR and HRG (Healthcare Resource Groups), therefore having a sound knowledge of these processes themselves.
To be proficient in the Trusts many IT systems, including iPM, Medicode360, ICE, Clinical Correspondence, MediViewer (for ERDMS) and the Clinical Income Dashboard system.
To access the Trust histopathological database (ICE) to extract the relevant information when assigning appropriate clinical codes.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nationally Accredited Clinical Coder Qualification (ACC)
- Degree or substantial experience as a Clinical Coder with proven successful outcomes
Experience
Essential
- Substantial Clinical Coding expertise across all specialties and levels of complexity
Desirable
- Audit experience
- Experience working as a Clinical Coder in an NHS Trust
Essential
Essential
- Ability to prioritise own and others workload, working under pressure to meet deadlines , Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications including the correct application of complex rules and conventions
- Working knowledge of Data Quality and Information Governance requirements
- Conversant with Data Administration Systems
- Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nationally Accredited Clinical Coder Qualification (ACC)
- Degree or substantial experience as a Clinical Coder with proven successful outcomes
Experience
Essential
- Substantial Clinical Coding expertise across all specialties and levels of complexity
Desirable
- Audit experience
- Experience working as a Clinical Coder in an NHS Trust
Essential
Essential
- Ability to prioritise own and others workload, working under pressure to meet deadlines , Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications including the correct application of complex rules and conventions
- Working knowledge of Data Quality and Information Governance requirements
- Conversant with Data Administration Systems
- Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy
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).
