Job Summary
We are currently looking to recruit a Clinical Coding Specialty Lead (ACC) to join our centralised Clinical Coding Team, committed to providing accurate and timely coded data, for use by the Trust and secondary users. As a key member of the department you will be responsible for ensuring high standards of coding accuracy, efficiency and compliance with national guidelines. This is a fixed term, 22.5 hours per week fixed term contract, hybrid clinical coding role.
The clinical coding department of Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for determining the clinical coding of around 12,000 episodes of care per month. The Trust provides a full range of hospital specialties, supplemented by a significant number of regional and national specialist services.
The trust has a fully electronic medical record (Cerner EPR) and all clinical coding is undertaken from electronic source documentation.
The NCCQ (National Clinical Coding Qualification) is preferred and considered essential to apply for this post; however, we are open to considering applicants who have relevant experience but do not hold the qualification.
Candidates will be required to take and pass a 2 hour practical clinical coding assessment should they reach the second stage of the interview process.
Responsibilities
* Hold the NCCQ (National Clinical Coding Qualification) and demonstrate extensive expert knowledge of complex clinical coding across all specialties.
* Have extensive experience in all aspects of clinical coding practice.
* Conduct clinical coding across all specialties in accordance with all local and national policies, conventions and guidelines.
* Conduct clinical engagement with senior clinicians, service leads and other trust staff.
* Become a subject matter expert for the given clinical specialty and act as the first point of contact for coding queries for that speciality.
* Liaise with clinicians regarding the quality of, and interpretation of, complex clinical documents via the electronic clinical record.
* Validate complex clinical and coded data with senior clinicians to ensure accurate PbR reimbursement for the trust and robust data quality.
* Attend regular clinical governance and clinical validation meetings with appropriate clinicians.
* Lead and manage clinical coding staff within the department.
* Assist in developing and implementing training programs to improve the quality and accuracy of clinical coding.
* Participate in conducting internal and external audits, performing quality checks on clinical coding data.
* Conduct staff appraisals in line with the Trust’s appraisal system, providing feedback and guidance for professional development.
* Maintain positive staff relations and discipline within the department, following Trust policies and procedures.
* Oversee and maintain records of annual leave and sickness for clinical coding staff.
* Authorise agency staff timesheets as required and manage the delegated training budget.
* Manage equipment, office supplies, and stationery, using appropriate budget codes and adhering to Trust policies.
* Ensure efficient processes and manage workloads to maintain staff coverage across the Trust, meeting local, national, and contractual coding deadlines.
* Manage IT issues and downtime procedures to resolve them within set deadlines, escalating to management as needed.
* Keep informed on national policy changes, particularly those affecting Secondary User Services (SUS) deadlines.
* Support the Audit Assurance Program, ensuring deadlines are met and reports are signed off and distributed.
* Facilitate a programme for clinicians to validate data, ensuring compliance with national coding standards.
* Perform routine quality checks and reviews to ensure high-quality clinical coding and resolve issues identified.
* Engage with clinicians and other departments (e.g., IT and Finance) to improve coding processes and resolve issues.
* Promote a cohesive team environment, encouraging innovation and service improvement within the clinical coding function.
* Implement national clinical coding policies and develop Trust-specific policies.
* Resolve complicated coding queries in collaboration with clinicians and coders, understanding the impact on Trust data and finances.
* Maintain the Clinical Coding Policy and Procedures manual, ensuring version control.
* Establish and maintain a Trust‑wide clinical coding standards register to ensure consistency in coding decisions.
Qualifications
Essential
* ACC Qualification (NCCQ or equivalent)
* 5 years of coding experience
* Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomical and physiological terms
Desirable
* Knowledge of HRG and Coding Data submissions
* Knowledge of Cerner Millennium and Medicode
Additional Information
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Role Details
Location – RBH Main Site, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Band – Band 6
Salary – £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata – addition of £4k per year pro rata
Contract – Fixed term
Duration – 12 months
Working pattern – Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number – 193-7516204COR
Date posted – 29 October 2025
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.
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
RBH Main Site, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/
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