ACC Lead Coder

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Plymouth; Remote; GBP 29,000 - 37,000

Job description

Job Summary

REMOTE ACC LEAD CLINICAL CODER POSITION ATTRACTING A 15% RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT PREMIUM

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Clinical Coding Department as an ACC qualified Clinical Coder at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP).

Having relevant demonstrable experience and an ACC qualification, you will provide highly accurate clinical coding, have good organisational skills, an eye for detail and accuracy, and the ability to work as part of a successful and innovative team.

Core duties are the provision of an efficient and high-quality clinical coding service, as well as meeting Trust deadlines associated with clinical coding.

We require a highly motivated and enthusiastic person to join our extremely busy team. If you are looking to develop your skills in the coding environment and feel that you can make a positive contribution to our service, we would like to hear from you.

We are offering fully remote and on-site working opportunities. UHP are currently working towards implementing an EPR system.

Medical coders and applicants without the NCCQ need not apply.

Main duties of the job

To provide comprehensive, high quality, efficient clinical coding of inpatients and day cases using ICD 10 and OPCS4 classifications to facilitate Payment by Results, statistical and performance analysis, and clinical care/audit. The UHP Clinical Coding Department codes approximately 143,000 inpatient and day case episodes per year.

Duties may also include some engagement in validation meetings with clinicians, education of junior clinicians in the importance of co-morbidity recording, building working relationships with service teams, and to act as a point of contact for coding issues.

About Us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

Date posted

12 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

216-CB-A6925150-B

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Job Description

Job responsibilities

To provide comprehensive, high quality, efficient clinical coding of inpatients and day cases using ICD 10 and OPCS4 classifications to facilitate Payment by Results, statistical and performance analysis, and clinical care/audit. The UHP Clinical Coding Department codes approximately 143,000 inpatient and day case episodes per year.

Duties may also include some engagement in validation meetings with clinicians, education of junior clinicians in the importance of co-morbidity recording, building working relationships with service teams, and to act as a point of contact for coding issues.

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To be fully conversant with the relevant publications of International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10) and Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures (OPCS4).

To critically examine the clinical information required assigning the national codes in accordance with the national guidelines.

To extract diagnoses and operations from summary sheets and health records for all inpatient and day case episodes, showing a high level of expertise across all specialties.

To classify diagnoses and operations and to accurately input onto the iPM system, every code relevant to the care episode that affects the care and influences the health status of the patient.

To prioritise and code any outstanding uncoded episodes as identified by computer printouts, so that work targets, laid down by the Clinical Coding Service Manager are met.

To act as a mentor giving support and advice to other more junior coding staff.

To act as a specialty lead for at least one specialty, attending audit meetings as required and advising on review/audit issues to that directorate/specialty.

To ensure adherence to local procedures for clinical coding relating to individual specialties/consultants.

To liaise with consultants, junior medical staff, business managers, information analysts, finance staff, clinical effectiveness and audit staff, and medical secretaries to address any queries arising during the abstraction process.

Assist the Clinical Coding Service Manager, and the Performance Improvement Manager, in providing support through the accuracy, timeliness and quality of coded data enabling the calculation of a set of high-level indicators (clinical indicators) that provide an overview of Hospital performance.

To undergo intensive training covering all specialties of coding in order to be able to change and adapt to new coding procedures as required.

To keep abreast of current national developments pertaining to clinical coding with colleagues throughout the region and inform Trust personnel as necessary.

To participate in clinical coding projects where necessary.

Person Specification

Knowledge And Experience Essential

• Demonstrable experience as a Clinical Coder
• Demonstrable expertise in clinical coding using ICD10 and OPCS4
• Proven knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the use of medical terminology
• Good keyboard skills
• Good proven knowledge of Microsoft Office software
  
  

Desirable

• Proven evidence of working with clinical data
• Proven knowledge of national coding developments
• Proven knowledge of patient management systems in relation to clinical coding
  
  

Qualifications Essential

• Accredited Clinical Coder (IHRIM)
• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent in Maths and English
  
  

Desirable

• Educated to GCSE standard in a science subject
  
  

Aptitude & Abilities Essential

• Accuracy and attention to detail is essential
• Effective communication and inter-personal skills
• Used to changing priorities and tight deadlines
• Ability to work well within a busy environment
• Ability to prioritise own workloads
• Ability to maintain confidentiality to the highest degree
• Team Worker
  
  

Disposition / Attitude / Motivation Essential

• Analytical
• Self-motivated
• Customer orientated
• Quality Control
  
  

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)