Senior Clinical Coder

Job overview

The Clinical Coding Department is responsible for abstracting and analysing complex clinical information from patients records and translate this into a coded format in line with National Standards.

To enter the final encoded data onto the appropriate computer systems to meet essential Trust requirements for statutory information and financial flows.

You will work as part of a team of experienced trained staff, the job will involve rotation between duties working on all specialties.

To work as a senior member of the Clinical Coding team in supporting & mentoring Clinical Coding Officers and assist the Clinical Coding Manager in ensuring accurate and timely clinical coding is achieved for all patient activity.

Senior Clinical Coders are expected to work on their own initiative to collect, collate, translate and assign codes to clinical information relating to the diagnoses and operations for patients admitted to hospital. This is in accordance with local and national coding practices and to meet local quality and timeliness standards.

To provide codes and appropriate details for all those seeking to extract clinically coded information from the Patient Information Management System.

Main duties of the job

• Review and interpret complex clinical information from patient health records and a range of clinical systems, applying your knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology
• Accurately code inpatient and day case activity using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications, in accordance with national and local clinical coding standards, rules and conventions.
• Ensure coded information is accurate, complete, consistent and submitted within agreed Trust timescales.
• Act as a key coding contact for designated specialties, building positive working relationships with clinical teams and supporting the resolution of complex coding queries
• Liaise with clinicians and their teams to clarify clinical documentation where this is required to support accurate coding.
• Provide guidance and support to trainee, junior and less experienced Clinical Coders, including mentoring, checking work and helping colleagues develop their coding knowledge and confidence
• Support the induction of new team members and work with the Clinical Coding Manager to identify learning and development needs.
• Participate in clinical coding audits, review findings and contribute to improvements that support consistently high standards of coded information
• Support the Clinical Coding Manager in developing and implementing local processes and guidance in line with national standards

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women's Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

Person specification

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria

• Collaboration - We work together to deliver safe, consistent, patient-centred care. Respect - We treat everyone with respect, kindness and equity. Curiosity - We stay curious to drive innovation that delivers exceptional patient outcomes.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria

• Holds Accredited Clinical Coding Qualification or has equivalent experience
• Demonstrated medical terminology and anatomy knowledge
• Knowledge of Patient information systems
• Evidence of attendance to a Clinical Coding refresher course, within the last 2 years

Desirable criteria

• Holds an NHS Digital approved Clinical coding Auditor or trainer classification

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• A thorough knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS - 4
• Significant coding experience
• Be able to explain the complex coding rules to all disciplines of staff including medical and clinical.

Desirable criteria

• Specialist Paediatric coding experience
• Understanding of clinical coding and the impact on HRG'S and financial flows.

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Have excellent verbal communication skills, in person, by telephone and in writing (including emails), using tact, discretion and sensitivity
• Be able to explain the complex coding rules to all disciplines of staff including medical and clinical.
• Working with VDU's, standard keyboard skills for Inputting into computer more or less continuously
• Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration
• Use of MS Word & excel to an intermediate level
• Ability to work under pressure to meet Financial and statistical deadlines
• Gather, analyse, interpret and present extensive and / or complex data and information.
• A committed, pro-active individual able to work on their own initiative and prioritise workloads.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of coding classifications, standards and guidance, including ongoing changes to ICD-10 and OPCS-4.
• Evidence of Continuing professional Development

Additional employer information

Please be advised that:

The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two stage recruitment process whereby shortlisted candidates will undertake an online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may on occasion be used to determine the final shortlist.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 794.4KB)
• Staff Benefits Leaflet (PDF, 108.2KB)
• Our GOSH Values (PDF, 516.8KB)