Job summary
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust havean excellent opportunity for accomplished Accredited Clinical Coders to fulfil importantsenior roles in our friendly and supportive Clinical Coding team. We arelooking for people who have a high level of commitment who have excellentcommunication skills and can demonstrate expertise within the role as anAccredited Clinical Coder.
The post holder will demonstrate supportive leadershipskills and the ability to help develop and mentor junior Clinical Coders.
This position requires you to hold the National ClinicalCoding Qualification. The post holdermust have gained their experience working within a Clinical Coding departmentwithin either an NHS or private hospital within the UK.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have the responsibility for Coding allspeciality based patient admissions by abstracting clinical data fromelectronic patient records and must be proficient when translating this intodiagnostic (ICD-10) and procedure (OPCS4) classification codes. Remote workingis an option, office space is available in the Childrens Centre if preferred.
Applicants must demonstrate good organisational skills andable to work well under pressure to adhere to Trust deadlines and prioritisetheir own workload to achieve this
Excellent knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy andphysiology is essential, as well as excellent analytical and problem solvingskills and must be able to demonstrate competency in the use of ICD-10 andOPCS4 classifications.
The post holder must have completed a National ClinicalCoding Refresher Course within the past two years.
About us
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One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The accuracy of clinical coding activity is vitally important for secondary care Trusts, not only to secure the correct income but also to inform decision-making regarding the future of clinical services. Coded activity is also used by secondary users within the NHS, Government and external bodies, who produce statistics such as standardised mortality rates, set budget baselines and monitor clinical outcomes and key quality indicators.
Post holders should have attained the National Clinical Coding Qualification and be an Accredited Clinical Coder.
The main purpose of the job includes:
1. To be an expert clinical coder dealing with complex clinical cases and queries, and resolving issues with senior clinical staff.
2. To be responsible for the daily operational supervision of the clinical coding team, in accordance with Trust and departmental policies. Monitoring of agreed key performance and quality indicators will form a major part of this role.
3. The post holder will form part of the Clinical Coding management team and support the Clinical Coding Service as a whole in the overall management of the department.
4. The post-holder will work closely with lead clinicians within all areas, to ensure that specialty level data is timely, standardised and robust to support performance.
5. In conjunction with the Clinical Coding Management Team, the post holder will also act as a mentor to more junior coders, validate their work, and offer sound advice and supporting them throughout their training period. The post holder will also be required to provide advice to experienced Clinical Coders, often to resolve complex or difficult coding queries in accordance with Trust and departmental policies.
6. To undertake regular coding audits and reviews to assess coding accuracy, depth and quality.
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE
Please note the Trust are not able to offer SkilledWorker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI thresholdrequirements. Applicants are requestedto consider this when making their application.Please visit for further information
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
7. Accredited clinical coding qualification (ACC)
8. Completed a Clinical Coding Standards Course.
9. Attended a Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course within the last year.
10. Attendance at specialty Clinical Coding workshops / Forums.
11. GCSE (A-C) 4-9 or equivalent
12. Demonstrate evidence of on-going personal development.
Desirable
13. ECDL
14. AMSPAR
Physical skills
Essential
15. Advanced keyboard skills for inputting patient information into computer.
Experience
Essential
16. Previous NHS Experience
17. Experience in coding across a wide range of specialties.
18. Extensive experience of PAS/hospital systems
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
19. Knowledge of national & local performance/quality standards
20. Knowledge of DSPT standards
21. In-depth knowledge and skills relating to clinical coding including ICD-10 and OPCS-4 national guidelines and standards
22. In-depth knowledge of clinical terminology and a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology
23. Detailed knowledge of NHS data systems (PAS systems) (applicants with coding experience)
24. Knowledge and experience of encoding software Medicode.
25. In-depth knowledge of histology and radiology reports to ensure accuracy of coded information.
26. An understanding of Healthcare Resource groups (HRGs) and Payment by Results (PbR).
27. Understanding of Clinical Effectiveness, General Data Protection Regulation, ensuring patient and colleague confidentiality at all times, Caldicott Guidelines, Freedom of Information Act
28. Ability to ensure updates to coding rules and conventions are applied as published by NHS_England and Clinical Classification Service
29. Ability to ensure NICE guidelines are adhered too.
30. To use judgement based on training and knowledge to apply National Standards correctly
31. Ability to assist with delivery of training needs to a variety of audiences, including clinical coding and medical staff
32. Ability to support the development of bespoke training packages to meet individual coder requirements
33. Ability to partake in internal and external clinical coding audits
34. Ability to support the development/mentoring trainee clinical-coding staff
35. Up to date IT and keyboard skills and Microsoft teams applications
36. Excellent organisational skills
Desirable
37. Budget Management