Trainee Clinical Coder

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Clinical Coding department.

Do you have some knowledge of anatomy and physiology and medical terminology?
Are you a problem solver, logical and with attention to detail?
Are you a recent or soon to be graduating University Student with background knowledge of biology or physiology?
Alternatively, do you have a medical background or experience?

If so then have you thought about a profession in Clinical Coding? A person with your abilities is greatly desired and would be a welcome addition to our department working for one of the top 40 healthcare employers in the country.

The ideal candidate we are looking for is a logical person, who is able to follow rules & regulations, work accurately and meet deadlines. It is important you are able to take both positive and constructive criticism, and maintain a high standard.

This post may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Kindly note that only face to face interviews will be available as the interview will include an assessment process.

Main duties of the job

Clinical coders translate the written diagnoses and operations in hospital notes into codes which are input into an Electronic Hospital System. This is done by converting diagnoses and operations information into National Classification ICD10 and OPCS4 codes.

A career in clinical coding will give you an opportunity to keep learning. You will be able to work with a variety of people ranging from Clinicians, Medical Professionals, Specialty Business Managers (e.g. within Radiology, Pathology, etc.), Medical Records & other areas within the Hospital.

The translations a clinical coder makes are vital because they directly affect the Trust's income, research & other analytical studies both within the Trust & Nationally.

Note: It is a requirement of the post that you must be available to attend any relevant Clinical Coding Training Courses & meetings, which are held during core working hours (09.00-17.00). In addition, for Band 4 Trainee applicants, you must be able to attend the mandatory Clinical Coding standards course which is 22 days over three to six months (depending on trainer's availability) during core working hours.

Clinical coding training remains an ongoing learning process and all staff need to be committed to this.

If you are the right candidate we will offer an extensive Clinical Coding training and a mentoring package to support you over 2-3 years' to become a professionally accredited Clinical Coder, by achieving the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ).

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We have received an overall Good rating from the CQC with Medical care (including older peoples care), End of Life Care and Maternity services being deemed Outstanding by the CQC.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsiGn9joTQ

Date posted

15 January 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,405 to £28,976 a year per annum - includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-JH-EMF15480

Job locations

Royal Surrey Hospital

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Job description

Job responsibilities

To abstract and analyse complex clinical information from the patients records (both electronic and paper based), and other sources as required, all relevant information concerning the primary diagnosis, co-morbidities, procedures , investigations and treatment for each period of care.
To translate this information into ICD-10 and OPCS 4 codes using judgement based on knowledge and experience and enter onto the hospital Patient Administration system, in a timely and accurate manner following the rules of coding convention for International Classification of Diseases and OPCS procedure books.

The post holder will undergo specialised formal and on the job training to build their knowledge and competency levels to abstract clinical information from patient case notes, and elsewhere, to interpret and translate into diagnostic and procedure codes. It is important you are able to take both constructive and positive criticism, to ensure you maintain high standards.

They will work as part of a team responsible for the collation and translation of written diagnostic and procedure information from clinical documentation into internationally recognised codes, adhering to the rules agreed by the World Health Organisation on the patients discharge. The standard classifications used will be ICD and OPCS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To abstract and analyse complex clinical information from the patients records (both electronic and paper based), and other sources as required, all relevant information concerning the primary diagnosis, co-morbidities, procedures , investigations and treatment for each period of care.
To translate this information into ICD-10 and OPCS 4 codes using judgement based on knowledge and experience and enter onto the hospital Patient Administration system, in a timely and accurate manner following the rules of coding convention for International Classification of Diseases and OPCS procedure books.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A good standard of general education to A level or equivalent through work experience.

Desirable

A relevant further qualification to diploma level or significant work experience in a role requiring similar skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomical and physiological terms
Ability to prioritise, plan and organise work on a daily basis to achieve departmental targets.
Team working
Working with a PC
Analysis and use of information
Work experience in an office/business environment

Desirable

Experience of working in a clinical coding or related role
Previous experience of working in a Clinical Coding department

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A good standard of general education to A level or equivalent through work experience.

Desirable

A relevant further qualification to diploma level or significant work experience in a role requiring similar skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomical and physiological terms
Ability to prioritise, plan and organise work on a daily basis to achieve departmental targets.
Team working
Working with a PC
Analysis and use of information
Work experience in an office/business environment

Desirable

Experience of working in a clinical coding or related role
Previous experience of working in a Clinical Coding department

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.