Trainee Clinical Coder (Band 3)

Are you interested in an exciting career within the NHS? If so, North Bristol is recruiting for a Trainee Clinical Coder to join their challenging and diverse Clinical Coding Department.

To succeed in this role you will need to be motivated, eager to learn and have a great attention to detail. In your quest for accurate data, you will come into contact with a variety of staff of different levels throughout the Trust.

Working in the Clinical Coding department at North Bristol NHS Trust provides a job with great career progression and the chance to work in a busy acute hospital. Our team of coders complete coding of approximately 147,000 daycase/inpatient visits each year, spread across a variety of complex specialties including neurosurgery, vascular surgery, geriatric medicine, maternity and trauma/orthopaedics.

An assessment centre for shortlisted candidates will be held on 19th November at Southmead Hospital, this is a half day process giving you an in depth understanding of the unusual and interesting role of a clinical coder. Successful candidates will then be invited back for interview on 26th/27th November

Please note we always have a high number of applications for Trainee Coder roles so we would advise submitting your application as soon as possible as this advert may close early.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder will undergo training, to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of the International classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) and OPCS- 4, clinical coding classifications, anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.
• To ensure that clinical coded data is entered accurately and appropriately into the Trust’s computer system for every relevant patient care episode, with required deadlines as agreed with the Trust’s commissioners.
• Liaise with appropriate staff, with any queries arising
• Document coding problems and queries for their Divisional Lead, and/or Trust’s coding trainer, who will then submit any unresolved queries to Delen, National Clinical Coding Helpdesk.
• Attend all national, local and in-house training sessions/relevant workshops and seminars, as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all Trust’s policies at all times.
• Ensure adherence to national procedures and guidelines for clinical coding and follow any local policies.
• Organise own workloads and work as part of a team, to ensure complete and accurate coding, with the Trust’s monthly deadlines within framework denoted by Divisional Leads.
• Ensure that ‘incomplete coding’ due to outstanding histology results, is checked and completed on a regular basis, in conjunction with their Divisional Lead, to ensure accurate and completed clinical coding in a timely manner, as required.
• During the initial training period to work towards meeting individual and overall department key performance indicators (KPIs). The post holder will be expected to achieve department KPIs within agreed timescales and support. The individual KPI will progress over the first year, to achieve 30 spells coded per day by end of year 1.
• To undertake the 21 day Clinical Coding Standards Course, within 6 months.
• To successfully pass the Trust’s in-house clinical coding exam and audit assessment after 12 and 18 months to check progress and readiness for the NCCQ.
• As part of the department’s wider clinical coding audit programme, the post holders coding will be periodically audited for completed clinical coding episodes, as part of ongoing data quality assurance within the department.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualificati

Essential criteria

• The post holder will have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s A – C, including maths, English and a science subject

Desirable criteria

• Ideally, they will hold the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) qualification or equivalent.

Work experience

Essential criteria

• Previous experience working in an administrative environment and/or in a clerical role.

Desirable criteria

• Medical knowledge.

Knowledge, skills, ability

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of working within the NHS.
• Ability to prioritise and manage various workloads within set timescales

Desirable criteria

• Able to use the Trust’s current PAS and other systems e.g. Pathology, Radiology, EDMS (Electronic Document Management System).

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on their own, work well under pressure and use initiative.
• Evidence of ability and experience of working under strict and regular deadlines.
• A commitment to study and personal growth

Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 per annum (FTE), pro rata for part time staff

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday- Friday)