Job summary
Clinical Coding Assistant
Department: Clinical Coding
Band: 2 £22,383 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Clinical Coding Team are looking for an enthusiastic person, with proven organisational and administrative skills to work alongside and provide support to a team of Clinical Coders.
Your primary responsibility will be to enter clinical information in the form of procedure codes to electronic patient records. You will be expected to organize your day and to be able to deal efficiently with high volumes of work whilst maintaining a keen focus on detail. Once inputted this information can be used for statistical, clinical and income generation purposes. You will also provide general office support to the Clinical Coding Team, which can include monitoring and distributing shared e-mails, updating spreadsheets etc. You will need to possess good computer skills and be able to work under pressure to deadlines.
Please note that this post is subject to an initial probationary period of six months, extendable up to a period of 12 months. A DBS check may be required for new employees. MKUH promotes an inclusive workforce and proactively welcomes applications from underrepresented groups in our community.
Interview date: Wednesday 7 August 2024.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for clinically coding identified multi-specialty outpatient activity in relation to outpatient surgery and clinic visits, using the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS4) classification codes for procedures.
Data is important in supporting all the current NHS Strategies including National
Tariff Payment System, Information Governance, The Modernisation Agenda, National Service Frameworks, Clinical Audit and Governance and Clinical Performance Indicators.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work on a daily basis, clinically coding outpatient activity from clinical source documentation. Maintain effective processes enabling information to be made available to the department and others within defined timescales and thereby ensuring National Tariff Payment System deadlines are met.
Make daily contact with the team and line manager to inform on workload status and actions, using an escalation process to deal with issues as appropriate.
Liaise professionally when required with any areas within the hospital in pursuit of information that requires clinical coding and deal with any enquires in connection with outpatient coding.
Support clinical coders in achieving coding completeness in accordance with deadlines through regular communication and assistance as and when required.
Undertake a self-directed, supported and assessed course of theoretical and practical clinical coding study encompassing coding procedures, anatomy and physiology and medical terminology as appropriate to the role.
Apply the knowledge gained through study and on job experience to ensure that ICD-10 and OPCS-4 rules and conventions are always followed and take responsibility for updating training manuals and approved reference material when changes or clarification is issued by NHS Digital and the Department of Health.
Use anatomy and physiology and clinical terminology knowledge to assist in the application of diagnostic and procedural codes where appropriate.
Be familiar with clinical coding audit processes and participate in preparatory/ remedial action in connection with both the internal and external audit of clinically coded data.
Accurately analyse the information provided for the clinical coding of outpatient activity. Consult national and local coding rules and conventions to decide on the correct clinical code assignment when necessary.
Apply clinical coding best practice and policy and procedure guidelines to own working practices, working independently but seeking guidance and verification as is consistent with level of acquired knowledge.
Take responsibility for prioritising and managing own day to day workload, paying attention to the balance to be achieved between the two main purposes of this role which is outpatient clinical coding and general administrative duties. Work independently to meet departmental and national deadlines, escalating concerns to your line manager.
Plan and undertake self-directed clinical coding study to coincide with practical experience gained whilst undertaking daily activities.
In accordance with guidelines, adopt a flexible-working pattern to meet the operational demands of the department.
Adhere to Clinical Coding Policies and Procedure guidelines.
All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and to the general public. All staff are expected to respect the requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Maintain Data Quality standards as defined in the Data Accreditation thread of the Data Security & Protection Toolkit.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work on a daily basis, clinically coding outpatient activity from clinical source documentation. Maintain effective processes enabling information to be made available to the department and others within defined timescales and thereby ensuring National Tariff Payment System deadlines are met.
Make daily contact with the team and line manager to inform on workload status and actions, using an escalation process to deal with issues as appropriate.
Liaise professionally when required with any areas within the hospital in pursuit of information that requires clinical coding and deal with any enquires in connection with outpatient coding.
Support clinical coders in achieving coding completeness in accordance with deadlines through regular communication and assistance as and when required.
Undertake a self-directed, supported and assessed course of theoretical and practical clinical coding study encompassing coding procedures, anatomy and physiology and medical terminology as appropriate to the role.
Apply the knowledge gained through study and on job experience to ensure that ICD-10 and OPCS-4 rules and conventions are always followed and take responsibility for updating training manuals and approved reference material when changes or clarification is issued by NHS Digital and the Department of Health.
Use anatomy and physiology and clinical terminology knowledge to assist in the application of diagnostic and procedural codes where appropriate.
Be familiar with clinical coding audit processes and participate in preparatory/ remedial action in connection with both the internal and external audit of clinically coded data.
Accurately analyse the information provided for the clinical coding of outpatient activity. Consult national and local coding rules and conventions to decide on the correct clinical code assignment when necessary.
Apply clinical coding best practice and policy and procedure guidelines to own working practices, working independently but seeking guidance and verification as is consistent with level of acquired knowledge.
Take responsibility for prioritising and managing own day to day workload, paying attention to the balance to be achieved between the two main purposes of this role which is outpatient clinical coding and general administrative duties. Work independently to meet departmental and national deadlines, escalating concerns to your line manager.
Plan and undertake self-directed clinical coding study to coincide with practical experience gained whilst undertaking daily activities.
In accordance with guidelines, adopt a flexible-working pattern to meet the operational demands of the department.
Adhere to Clinical Coding Policies and Procedure guidelines.
All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and to the general public. All staff are expected to respect the requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Maintain Data Quality standards as defined in the Data Accreditation thread of the Data Security & Protection Toolkit.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE qualifications A* - C (Grade 9-4) including Mathematics & English Language and preferably a science (or equivalent qualifications/experience)
- Ability to use a Patient Administration System
- Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology
- Knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 rules and conventions
Experience
Essential
- General clerical/office duties
- Experience of building effective working relationships
- Experience of problem solving, in order to resolve day-to-day issues and assist with the organisation of the department
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Competence in using Microsoft Office software, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook
Skills
Essential
- Possesses excellent keyboard skills for swift and accurate data input
- Excellent organizing ability, able to follow departmental procedures whilst prioritizing workloads
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to interpret information and make decisions
- A self-motivated individual
- Able to demonstrate emotional maturity
- Able to work with enthusiasm and flexibility
- Respects the need to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work
- Able to identify own development needs
Personal and people development
Essential
- Possesses the enthusiasm and ability to keep up to date with developments relevant to the role
- Actively participates in personal development reviews
- Maintains and develops skills using all available means inc. e-learning and self-directed study
Communication
Essential
- Good conversational skills including communicating by e-mail and telephone
- Able to negotiate with staff from other departments in pursuit of information that may be required
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE qualifications A* - C (Grade 9-4) including Mathematics & English Language and preferably a science (or equivalent qualifications/experience)
- Ability to use a Patient Administration System
- Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology
- Knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 rules and conventions
Experience
Essential
- General clerical/office duties
- Experience of building effective working relationships
- Experience of problem solving, in order to resolve day-to-day issues and assist with the organisation of the department
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Competence in using Microsoft Office software, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook
Skills
Essential
- Possesses excellent keyboard skills for swift and accurate data input
- Excellent organizing ability, able to follow departmental procedures whilst prioritizing workloads
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to interpret information and make decisions
- A self-motivated individual
- Able to demonstrate emotional maturity
- Able to work with enthusiasm and flexibility
- Respects the need to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work
- Able to identify own development needs
Personal and people development
Essential
- Possesses the enthusiasm and ability to keep up to date with developments relevant to the role
- Actively participates in personal development reviews
- Maintains and develops skills using all available means inc. e-learning and self-directed study
Communication
Essential
- Good conversational skills including communicating by e-mail and telephone
- Able to negotiate with staff from other departments in pursuit of information that may be required
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
