Lead Clinical Coder

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to recruit 3 Senior experienced/qualified Coders to join our Clinical Coding Team (Bedford/Luton site). To meet requirements of a Band 6 you will need to be flexible in your approach, a good communicator, able to work as part of a team to tight deadlines, you will hold the nationally recognised ACC (Accreditation of Clinical Coders) qualification in clinical coding. Part-time applicants are welcome

Candidates who currently do not meet the requirements of a band 6 may be considered for a developmental role at band 5 however you must have a track record of high quality coding, you will have a good knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.

Able to demonstrate competence in the use of ICD10 and OPCS 4.9 classifications, complete coding rules and application of National Clinical Coding Standards across acute specialities is a prerequisite, excellent communication skills and progressing to a band 6 once ACC have been acquired.

The Clinical Coding Department is a pivotal Service within the Trust’s IM&T Division. These are corporate functions responsible for all Trust management information, reporting both externally and internally, providing vital management information to clinicians and managers which inform and determine the basis for decision-making across the Trust.

The Trust uses ‘Electronic Documentation Record Management service’ (E.D.R.M.S), Medicode360, this enables remote working.

The post holder will provide an effective, accurate, timely, and consistent clinical coding service to the Trust and ensure all coding quality targets are achieved, assisting in audits as appropriate.

In order to expand individual knowledge and provide a more robust service to the Trust, you will be expected to code variety of speciality to increase your in-depth knowledge.

You will be expected to promote continuous improvement in data quality by keeping abreast of development and innovations in the medical, surgical, and coding disciplines. This role forms a key member of the data quality team which aims to provide credible, accurate, complete, and timely data for the Trust.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Lead Clinical Coders are required to create and maintain good communication links with Consultants and their clinical teams to ensure quality and depth of clinical coding is achieved. In order to achieve this they are required to communicate complex coding rules to various medical, clinical and administrative staff at all levels. Communication can be via telephone, in person, written, or by email.

To answer Clinical Commissioning Group challenges in code assignment in a timely manner.

To act as mentor to less experienced coding staff in understanding clinical coding rules. PbR and HRG (Healthcare Resource Groups), therefore having a sound knowledge of these processes themselves.

To be proficient in the Trust’s many IT systems, including iPM, Medicode360, ICE, Clinical Correspondence, MediViewer (for ERDMS) and the Clinical Income Dashboard system.

To access the Trust histopathological database (ICE) to extract the relevant information when assigning appropriate clinical codes.