Clinical Coder Part Time

Coffee Hall, Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes University Hospital
Job overview

Clinical Coder

Department: Clinical Coding

Band: 5 £28,407 – £34,581 pro rata if part-time

10% recruitment & retention premium applies to Clinical Coder posts

Hours: 37.5 per week , all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Accredited Clinical Coder to join the team and perform a vital role in supporting the delivery of the Clinical Coding Service.

This position comes with an opportunity for home and office based working along with flexibility with working times in support of a healthy work-life balance. Options can be discussed at interview.

To be considered for a Band 5 position you will have obtained your National Clinical Coding Qualification and have experience coding across a range of specialties.

As a coding professional with NHS coding experience, you will be expected to demonstrate competence in the use of the classifications and the application of coding rules and standards. You will be managing your own workload, ensuring ongoing accuracy, and meeting deadlines. You will also support Team Leads by mentoring junior colleagues when required and assisting with more complex and challenging coding.

The position is open to non-qualified applicants who can demonstrate the skills required and show commitment to the training and self-development necessary to become qualified. As a Trainee Clinical Coder, you would be recruited to a Band 3 position and be required to attend the office for training.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder is responsible for extracting, collating and coding clinical information, often highly complex in nature, relating to the diagnoses and operations for admitted care patients. This requires the application of all complex and routine coding rules and conventions pertaining to ICD10 (International Classification of Diseases) and OPCS4 (Classification of Interventions & Procedures), incorporating published national standards
• Individual accreditation and a commitment to ongoing professional development required from this role provide the Trust with confidence in the data quality of clinically coded information. A significant part of this role will be to ensure the quality and coverage of your own and colleagues’ clinical coding meets the Trust and industry regulated standards and positively enhances reputation at local and national level
• The post holder is expected to apply local and externally acquired knowledge of how clinical coding directly effects areas such income generation, clinical decision making, Information Governance, nationally reported clinical performance indicators and mortality statistics, directing and assisting others in good day to day practice and achievement of Key Performance Indicators
• In order to expand individual knowledge and provide a more robust service to the Trust, job rotation occurs periodically so you will be expected to increase your in-depth knowledge in different specialties from time to time. This may involve re-training.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Use judgement and experience to abstract and analyse the complex clinical information required to assign ICD10 and OPCS4 classification codes in accordance with national guidelines. Interpret national and local coding rules and conventions to assist in the assignment of clinical codes.
• To confirm diagnoses using histology, microbiology and x-ray reports in order to maintain high level coding standards.
• Acting on own initiative, monitor and prioritise own workload and that of any new or less experienced Coder that you are supervising, dealing with issues but using an escalation process as appropriate.
• Be aware of the team’s daily work state and give assistance, through rota amendments, to colleagues requiring support to achieve coding completion targets.
• As an ACC qualified professional you must have the ability to communicate clearly and with confidence, offer advice and solutions, demonstrate empathy, leadership, attention to detail, reliability and business acumen on all matters relating to clinical coding to diverse individuals and groups.
• To liaise regularly with ward staff regarding missing patient episodes and transfers, ensuring appropriate actions are taken to rectify errors or incomplete information.
• The post holder will have achieved Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) status.
• Be proficient in the use of the hospital administration systems for the input of clinical data and the authorised amendment of detail, paying particular attention to accuracy, timeliness and confidentiality.
• Access electronic software systems such as ICE, Amalga, Protos to extract information to supplement clinical coding of the patient record.
• Accurately extract and analyse information from case notes and results containing complex clinical detail. Explore perceived conflicts and, where necessary, instigate further investigation.
• Adopt the role of a mentor through ongoing appraisal of the work of trainee Clinical Coders, providing structured feedback to individuals and management team which incorporates recommendations to improve quality and efficiency.
• Utilise appropriate data quality reports to undertake peer reviews of clinically coded data.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person specification Qualifications and knowledge Essential criteria

• ACC National Clinical Coding Qualification.
• Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications including the correct application of complex rules and conventions.
• Possess a broad knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology.
• Elementary theoretical knowledge and applied audit capability.
• Conversant with Patient Administration Systems

Desirable criteria

• ECDL Qualification.

Experience Essential criteria

• Significant Clinical Coding expertise across all specialties and levels of complexity.
• Experience working as a Clinical Coder in an NHS Trust.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in an alternative healthcare environment.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in provision of customer service

Skills Essential criteria

• Ability to resolve complicated coding queries raised by clinical or non-clinical staff and implement agreed decisions.
• Ability to prioritise workload, working under pressure to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to support, adapt and participate in changing circumstances.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to interpret information and make decisions.
• Organising ability, initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Possess strong personal motivation and influence others likewise.
• Methodical approach to tasks with attention to details and qualify focus.

Desirable criteria

• Presentation skills.

Personal and people development Essential criteria

• Ability to act as a mentor for trainee Clinical Coders
• A team worker in all aspects of the role
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Willingness to learn and develop within the role.
• Confident.
• Flexible in approach to tasks

Communication Essential criteria

• Demonstrates a high level of interpersonal skills able to liaise with multi-disciplinary teams using various methods of communication.
• Ability to challenge, question and clarify by reasonable argument to a satisfactory resolution of issues

Specific requirements Essential criteria

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations