Senior Clinical Coder

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

If you would like a rewarding career in the profession of Clinical Coding, we are looking for experienced, highly motivated, and highly skilled qualified Clinical Coders to join our already established Clinical Coding Team.

We are also looking for individuals who are interested in a career in Clinical Coding and would like the opportunity to join us as a Trainee Clinical Coder.

ACC Qualified coders recruited at band 5, Non ACC Trainee (unqualified) recruit at Band 3

Candidates entering at Band 5 will have gained Accreditation (ACC) and must have extensive practical coding experience with skills to code across multiple complex specialties.

Entry level for those who are looking to embark on a career in Clinical Coding is Band 3 - 4 depending on experience and qualifications.

Main duties of the job

Candidates entering at Band 3 must have a basic knowledge of ICD10 and OPCS4 classifications, basic knowledge for Anatomy and Physiology, possess A -level qualifications or equivalent, have excellent communication skills and experience working to targets and key performance indicators. Progression to Band 4 is dependent on passing the Clinical Coding Standards Course and attaining the set competencies attached to this role.

Candidates entering at Band 4 must have an in-depth knowledge of OPCS 4 and ICD10 classifications, extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, A-level qualification or equivalent, previous practical coding experience in an acute hospital setting and hold the Clinical Coding Standards Course Certificate. To progress to Band 5 you will be expected to study and pass the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ), plus attain the set competencies attached to the Senior Qualified Clinical Coder role.

The training period to become a Senior Qualified Clinical Coder is a minimum of 3 years.

Professional Accreditation is fully funded along with all training courses which are provided by our in-house Clinical Coding Trainer.

  • Interview Date: 8 August 2024
  • 37 hours 30 minutes/week

  • You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

About us

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Date posted

16 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £34,581 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2024-28-06-DR-A

Job locations

Regent Point

317 Regent Point

NE3 3HD


Job description

Job responsibilities

About the team and department

Clinical Coding is fundamental to the national reimbursement mechanism of Payment by Results (PbR) and has a major influence on Trust income and future funding. We offer the second highest number of specialised services than any other group of hospitals in the UK. We have an enviable high profile throughout the Trust allowing clinical coders to work with individual clinicians and clinical directorate leads.

What will the role entail?

You will be directly accountable for improving data quality through clinical engagement, ensuring the ongoing accuracy of clinical coded data and meeting the Trusts strict contractual deadlines. As well as coding to a high standard, you will work with our Team Leads in provision of mentoring and supporting junior staff, assist in the engagement of internal audit and liaise with senior clinicians where appropriate.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking to recruit highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals with excellent clinical coding, analytical and organisational skills to join our large and friendly team. You will enjoy the on-going development opportunities that our department provides which will ensure that you have the most up to date and advanced coding skills required to code in a Trust of this calibre.

Why choose us?

Our department delivers effective leadership, career progression and excellent benefits in one of the most advanced teaching NHS Foundation Trusts in the country. We also have a clear, structured career progression pathway and with senior clinical coders having the opportunity to progress into team leaders, auditors, trainers and management positions throughout the Trust.

We offer a high degree of flexibility and for experienced staff there is the opportunity to work remotely, due to the technological advancements at Newcastle hospitals.

You will be directly accountable for improving data quality through clinical engagement, ensuring the ongoing accuracy of clinical coded data and meeting the Trusts strict contractual deadlines. As well as coding to a high standard, you will work with our Team Leads in provision of mentoring and supporting junior staff, assist in the engagement of internal audit and liaise with senior clinicians where appropriate.

To be responsible for extracting highly complex clinical information from electronic health records, to translate relevant medical terminology using ICD10 /OPCS4 Classifications.

To hold and maintain a detailed understanding of national clinical coding standards, have an excellent knowledge and understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology to aid accurate clinical coding across all specialities.

Required to produce consistent, accurate, complete and timely clinically coded data in accordance with national standards, local coding policies and contracting deadlines.

Required to work autonomously without direct instruction or supervision when self-allocating work and achievement of targets.

Required to relay complex clinical coding information to other staff groups, including senior clinicians.

Job Purpose

  • To be responsible for extracting highly complex clinical information from both paper and electronic health records, to translate relevant medical terminology using international and national classifications
  • Is required to produce consistent, accurate, complete and timely coded clinical data in accordance with all national standards, local clinical coding policies and commissioner deadlines.
  • Requirement to consistently deliver against demanding deadlines and accountable for maintaining accuracy and compliance with frequently changing national standards and clinical coding conventions.
  • Ensure targets are consistently achieved for both throughput and accuracy of clinical coded data.
  • To work autonomously without direct instruction or supervision when selfallocating work and achievement of daily coding targets.
  • Ensure compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) applicable to the clinical coding service.
  • To be proactive and flexible in moving towards an electronic way of working within a clinical coding setting, as the Trust develops its electronic patient record and achieves its strategic objective of becoming a paper-lite organisation.
  • To act as mentor to less experienced clinical coders

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

About the team and department

Clinical Coding is fundamental to the national reimbursement mechanism of Payment by Results (PbR) and has a major influence on Trust income and future funding. We offer the second highest number of specialised services than any other group of hospitals in the UK. We have an enviable high profile throughout the Trust allowing clinical coders to work with individual clinicians and clinical directorate leads.

What will the role entail?

You will be directly accountable for improving data quality through clinical engagement, ensuring the ongoing accuracy of clinical coded data and meeting the Trusts strict contractual deadlines. As well as coding to a high standard, you will work with our Team Leads in provision of mentoring and supporting junior staff, assist in the engagement of internal audit and liaise with senior clinicians where appropriate.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking to recruit highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals with excellent clinical coding, analytical and organisational skills to join our large and friendly team. You will enjoy the on-going development opportunities that our department provides which will ensure that you have the most up to date and advanced coding skills required to code in a Trust of this calibre.

Why choose us?

Our department delivers effective leadership, career progression and excellent benefits in one of the most advanced teaching NHS Foundation Trusts in the country. We also have a clear, structured career progression pathway and with senior clinical coders having the opportunity to progress into team leaders, auditors, trainers and management positions throughout the Trust.

We offer a high degree of flexibility and for experienced staff there is the opportunity to work remotely, due to the technological advancements at Newcastle hospitals.

You will be directly accountable for improving data quality through clinical engagement, ensuring the ongoing accuracy of clinical coded data and meeting the Trusts strict contractual deadlines. As well as coding to a high standard, you will work with our Team Leads in provision of mentoring and supporting junior staff, assist in the engagement of internal audit and liaise with senior clinicians where appropriate.

To be responsible for extracting highly complex clinical information from electronic health records, to translate relevant medical terminology using ICD10 /OPCS4 Classifications.

To hold and maintain a detailed understanding of national clinical coding standards, have an excellent knowledge and understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology to aid accurate clinical coding across all specialities.

Required to produce consistent, accurate, complete and timely clinically coded data in accordance with national standards, local coding policies and contracting deadlines.

Required to work autonomously without direct instruction or supervision when self-allocating work and achievement of targets.

Required to relay complex clinical coding information to other staff groups, including senior clinicians.

Job Purpose

  • To be responsible for extracting highly complex clinical information from both paper and electronic health records, to translate relevant medical terminology using international and national classifications
  • Is required to produce consistent, accurate, complete and timely coded clinical data in accordance with all national standards, local clinical coding policies and commissioner deadlines.
  • Requirement to consistently deliver against demanding deadlines and accountable for maintaining accuracy and compliance with frequently changing national standards and clinical coding conventions.
  • Ensure targets are consistently achieved for both throughput and accuracy of clinical coded data.
  • To work autonomously without direct instruction or supervision when selfallocating work and achievement of daily coding targets.
  • Ensure compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) applicable to the clinical coding service.
  • To be proactive and flexible in moving towards an electronic way of working within a clinical coding setting, as the Trust develops its electronic patient record and achieves its strategic objective of becoming a paper-lite organisation.
  • To act as mentor to less experienced clinical coders

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Person Specification

Meets All Band 5 Criteria

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of national coding rules and conventions
  • In depth knowledge of OPCS4 and ICD10
  • Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology
  • A working knowledge and understanding of local clinical coding policies and their application
  • Knowledge of Clinical Coding audit processes
  • Knowledge of encoding software products
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Mentoring skills
  • Ability to work to strict and changeable deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously or as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Extensive practical coding experience
  • Extensive experience in coding across multiple specialties
  • Experience in using both paper and electronic records to extract clinical information
  • Experience in using e-Record - Cerner Millennium and other IT systems
  • Experience of Medical Records process
  • Experience in use of encoding software products
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ)
  • Clinical Coding Standards Course Certification
  • A level or equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
  • Understanding of Health and Safety requirements
  • A working knowledge and understanding of local clinical coding policies and their application
  • Understanding of the NHS recent reforms: o Caldecott Guardians o Freedom of Information act o Data Protection act
  • Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff
  • Experience of working in major teaching NHS Foundation Trust
  • Health Informatics Qualification
  • Degree level education

Meets All Band 4 Criteria

Essential

  • Knowledge of coding rules and conventions
  • In depth knowledge of OPCS4 and ICD10
  • Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy and physiology
  • Encoding software and medical records knowledge
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Previous practical coding experience in an acute hospital setting
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • Experience of working to targets and key performance indicators
  • Experience of using both paper and electronic records
  • Clinical Coding Standards Course Certificate
  • A level or equivalent experience
  • Working towards sitting the National Clinical Coding Qualification

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
  • Understanding of Health and Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of audit process
  • Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff
  • Experience of working in a major teaching hospital
  • Degree level of education
  • Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course Certificate

Meets All Band 3 Criteria

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of ICD10 and OPCS4 classifications
  • Basic knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Experience of working in an administrative role
  • Experience of working to targets and key performance indicators
  • A level or equivalent qualifications
  • To study for NCCQ within 2 years of commencement in post

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Medical Records and patient administration systems
  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of trust policies and procedures
  • Mentoring/coaching skills
  • NHS experience
  • Degree level of education
Person Specification

Meets All Band 5 Criteria

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of national coding rules and conventions
  • In depth knowledge of OPCS4 and ICD10
  • Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology
  • A working knowledge and understanding of local clinical coding policies and their application
  • Knowledge of Clinical Coding audit processes
  • Knowledge of encoding software products
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Mentoring skills
  • Ability to work to strict and changeable deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously or as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Extensive practical coding experience
  • Extensive experience in coding across multiple specialties
  • Experience in using both paper and electronic records to extract clinical information
  • Experience in using e-Record - Cerner Millennium and other IT systems
  • Experience of Medical Records process
  • Experience in use of encoding software products
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ)
  • Clinical Coding Standards Course Certification
  • A level or equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
  • Understanding of Health and Safety requirements
  • A working knowledge and understanding of local clinical coding policies and their application
  • Understanding of the NHS recent reforms: o Caldecott Guardians o Freedom of Information act o Data Protection act
  • Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff
  • Experience of working in major teaching NHS Foundation Trust
  • Health Informatics Qualification
  • Degree level education

Meets All Band 4 Criteria

Essential

  • Knowledge of coding rules and conventions
  • In depth knowledge of OPCS4 and ICD10
  • Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy and physiology
  • Encoding software and medical records knowledge
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Previous practical coding experience in an acute hospital setting
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • Experience of working to targets and key performance indicators
  • Experience of using both paper and electronic records
  • Clinical Coding Standards Course Certificate
  • A level or equivalent experience
  • Working towards sitting the National Clinical Coding Qualification

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
  • Understanding of Health and Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of audit process
  • Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff
  • Experience of working in a major teaching hospital
  • Degree level of education
  • Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course Certificate

Meets All Band 3 Criteria

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of ICD10 and OPCS4 classifications
  • Basic knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
  • Effective organisation and time management skills
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • IT skills
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Experience of working in an administrative role
  • Experience of working to targets and key performance indicators
  • A level or equivalent qualifications
  • To study for NCCQ within 2 years of commencement in post

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Medical Records and patient administration systems
  • Knowledge of Department of Health initiatives
  • Knowledge of trust policies and procedures
  • Mentoring/coaching skills
  • NHS experience
  • Degree level of education

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regent Point

317 Regent Point

NE3 3HD


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regent Point

317 Regent Point

NE3 3HD


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Coding Team Manager/Specialist

Grace McKitterick

grace.mckitterick@nhs.net

01912821415

Date posted

16 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £34,581 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2024-28-06-DR-A

Job locations

Regent Point

317 Regent Point

NE3 3HD


Supporting documents

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