Trainee Clinical Coder inDorchester inDorchester PUBLISHED WED 27 NOV 2024

Band 3: £24,071 to £25,674 a year Per Annum PERMANENT
NHS

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust r5cJE12L

Opportunity for professional growth through an apprenticeship program, including a clinical coding standards course.

A supportive and cohesive team environment at an established NHS Trust, promoting collaboration and communication.

Engagement in meaningful work that directly impacts patient outcomes and hospital management through accurate coding.

Exposure to a wide range of clinical information, enhancing judgment and decision-making skills in healthcare data interpretation.

Pathway to career advancement with the potential to achieve accreditation as a Clinical Coder (ACC), gaining recognized qualifications.

Involvement in essential data collection for clinical audit, governance, and research, contributing to improvements in healthcare quality.

The Trainee Clinical Coder position at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust involves joining a dynamic team within an acute hospital setting. The role requires a confident individual eager to impact patient and staff outcomes positively. While knowledge of the Dorset health and care system is preferred, it is not essential.

The successful candidate will participate in an apprenticeship program, which includes a clinical coding standards course and aims for accreditation as a Clinical Coder. The main responsibilities include extracting and translating inpatient information using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 coding classifications, adhering to national coding standards. This data is vital for managing the Trust and contributes to national financial systems, clinical audits, and research.

The Trainee Clinical Coder will interpret clinical information from electronic and paper-based records, interact with clinical and operational staff, manage their workload, and maintain high coding quality. The role ultimately leads to becoming an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) through the completion of the National Clinical Coding Qualification.

We are rapidly expanding, currently seeking an Trainee Clinical Coder to join our growing and innovative team at an acute hospital within the NHS. This is an exciting new post in our cohesive and established team. We are seeking a confident and passionate individual who thrives on change and wants to make a difference to the outcomes of our patients and staff. Detailed working knowledge of the Dorset health and care system is desirable, however not essential.

The successful candidate will be enrolled into the apprenticeship programme that will include a clinical coding standards course. Upon completion of the programme there will be an expectation to undertake further training towards achieving clinical coding accreditation.

The Clinical Coding Team is responsible for the extraction and translation of inpatient information using the ICD-10 and OPCS-4 Coding Classifications, following and in keeping with the well-defined national coding standards. This information is essential for the effective management of the Trust and crucial to the National tariff Payment System that underpins Trust income. Coded data is also important for clinical audit, governance and research.

As an Trainee Clinical Coder, you will learn how to make judgements on clinical information requiring interpretation and compare options from information provided electronically and in paper-based health records. Clinical Coders have a crucial role in the provision of mandatory data for information, financial and reporting purposes both at local and national level. The post holder will be expected to work towards becoming a Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) through completion of the National Clinical Coding Qualification. As part of the role of the post-holder is expected to interact with clinicians, operational staff and have responsibility for own workload whilst maintaining accurate clinical coding quality.

About us
For further information on the role please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:

Here are 5 questions you could be asked if you apply for this job: Start practice interview... NEW!

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to the Trainee Clinical Coder position at Dorset County Hospital?

2. Do you have any experience working with medical terminology or coding systems such as ICD-10 or OPCS-4? If so, please elaborate.

3. Given that the NHS is undergoing constant changes, how do you feel about adapting to new processes and procedures? Can you provide an example from your past experience where you had to adapt to change?

4. You will be required to interact with clinicians and operational staff. How would you approach obtaining information from medical professionals who may be busy or unavailable?

5. The role includes an apprenticeship programme and further training towards accreditation. What are your aspirations for your professional development in clinical coding?

Start a practice interview... NEW!

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to the Trainee Clinical Coder position at Dorset County Hospital?

2. Do you have any experience working with medical terminology or coding systems such as ICD-10 or OPCS-4? If so, please elaborate.

4. You will be required to interact with clinicians and operational staff. How would you approach obtaining information from medical professionals who may be busy or unavailable?

5. The role includes an apprenticeship programme and further training towards accreditation. What are your aspirations for your professional development in clinical coding?

Start a practice interview... NEW!

More about the NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

Useful skills for a Trainee Clinical Coder: Click to view

To work as a Trainee Clinical Coder in the UK, you will need a combination of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes. Here are some key skills and qualifications that are beneficial for this role:

Educational Background

1. Relevant Qualifications: Although specific qualifications may vary, having a background in healthcare, life sciences, or a related field can be advantageous. A degree in a health-related subject, such as nursing, medicine, or medical administration, is often beneficial.

Technical Skills

2. Understanding of Medical Terminology: A foundational knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology is crucial for accurately translating clinical information into codes.

3. Familiarity with Coding Systems: Knowledge of coding classifications, such as ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) and OPCS-4 (Office of Population Censuses and Surveys), is important. Training often covers these systems.

4. Computer Literacy: Proficiency in using computers and familiarity with healthcare information systems is essential, as you will be working with coding software and patient records.

Analytical Skills

5. Attention to Detail: Clinical coding requires high accuracy to ensure proper coding of diagnoses and procedures. Attention to detail is critical to minimize errors.

6. Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze clinical notes and documentation to extract relevant information for coding accurately is important.

Communication Skills

7. Effective Communication: You will need to collaborate with healthcare professionals and understand clinical discussions. Clear communication skills will help in asking questions and clarifying information when necessary.

8. Written Communication Skills: Good written communication skills are important for documenting coding decisions and ensuring clarity in coded data.

Personal Attributes

9. Organizational Skills: Being organized helps in managing the workload effectively, especially when dealing with large volumes of medical records.

10. Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to address and resolve discrepancies in clinical information and coding challenges is essential.

11. Continuous Learning: A commitment to ongoing learning and professional development is vital, as coding standards and practices may evolve.

Additional Considerations

12. Teamwork and Collaboration: Working as part of a healthcare team requires the ability to collaborate and contribute effectively in a team setting.

13. Confidentiality Understanding: A strong understanding of patient confidentiality and data protection regulations is critical given the sensitive nature of health information.

Training and Development

- Once you secure a trainee position, you will likely receive on-the-job training and possibly pursue professional qualifications in clinical coding, such as those offered by the National Association of Clinical Coders (NACC) or similar organizations.

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Trainee Clinical Coder inDorchester inDorchester PUBLISHED WED 27 NOV 2024

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust r5cJE12L

About us For further information on the role please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

About us
For further information on the role please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.