Job summary
Accredited Clinical Coder
Department: Clinical Coding
Band: 5 £29,970 - £36,483 Per Annum plus 10% recruitment & retention premium
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Accredited Clinical Coder - Flexible & Supportive Working Environment
Due to recent investment in our Clinical Coding team, we are pleased to offer an opportunity for an experienced Accredited Clinical Coder to join our dedicated and friendly team.
What we are looking for:
1. National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ) and UK coding experience across various specialties
2. Strong understanding of coding classifications, rules, and standards
3. Ability to work independently with accuracy and meet reporting deadlines
4. A team player willing to mentor junior colleagues and handle complex cases
Why Join Us?
1. Access to in-house training and professional development opportunities
2. A varied and rewarding role with scope for growth and responsibility
3. Flexible working options - including home or hybrid working
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview: 05 March 2025
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 affects areas such as 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.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trust's values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
* Free on-site parking
* Free refreshments
* Great flexible working opportunities
* Discounted gym membership
* Lease car scheme
* Generous annual leave and pension scheme
* On site nursery (chargeable)
* Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
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.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. 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.
2. Confirm diagnoses using histology, microbiology and x-ray reports to maintain high level coding standards.
Communication and Relationships
1. 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.
2. Liaise regularly with ward staff regarding missing patient episodes and transfers, ensuring appropriate actions are taken to rectify errors or incomplete information.
Audit, analysis and decision making
1. Accurately extract and analyse information from case notes and results containing complex clinical detail. Explore perceived conflicts and, where necessary, instigate further investigation.
2. 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.
Knowledge, training and experience
1. The post holder will have achieved Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) status.
2. 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.
Provision and Use of Information
1. Adhere to the Clinical Coding Policies and Procedure guidelines.
2. Maintain the confidentiality of medical records and clinical information at all times to ensure compliance with the Data Protection and access to Health Records Acts.
Please refer to the Job description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
* 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
* ECDL Qualification.
Experience
Essential
* Significant Clinical Coding expertise across all specialties and levels of complexity.
* Experience working as a Clinical Coder in an NHS Trust.
Desirable
* Experience of working in an alternative healthcare environment.
* Supervisory experience.
* Experience in provision of customer service.
Skills
Essential
* 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 quality focus.
Desirable
* Presentation skills.
Personal and people development
Essential
* 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
* 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.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
W71179 CDC WHP Support (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Employer's website #J-18808-Ljbffr