Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Clinical Coding Team Manager/Supervisor. To be based primarily at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath but may be required to travel between all sites (Chichester, Brighton, Haywards Heath, Worthing) if required.
We are looking to recruit an experienced individual for the above position that will form part of the Clinical Coding department managerial structure. You must have the ability to lead by example and motivate others through a positive, open attitude. Team management requires excellent communication skills with a calm, patient approach. Exceptional organisational skills are needed to navigate a busy department under times of pressure.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
Applicants should ideally already hold ACC status or at least ten years’ equivalent experience as a Clinical Coder with a proven audit accuracy and productivity record. Applicants with significant Clinical Coding experience and a desire to move to a managerial role will be considered.
You will be responsible for coding completion each month, managing leave around deadlines to enable this. You will liaise with clinical and non-clinical staff to ensure documentation is provided to the department in a timely manner.
You will monitor team and individual performance and undertake appraisals as Line Manager for the site alongside recording and managing sickness and absence. You will have proven communications skills to disseminate information to the team and promote a positive culture of continuing professional development.
You will assist with clinical engagement to aid continuous coding improvement and act as a role model and leader within the department. You will represent Clinical Coding to the wider Trust to a high-standard.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
1. To liaise with clinical, nursing and admin staff to facilitate timely and accurate receipt of clinical source documentation for coding.
2. Organise and take part in departmental team meetings
3. To respond to request for information and advice regarding complex clinical codes and data flow procedures from clinical, administrative and information staff and occasionally from other external agencies
4. To provide a communication channel between the Trust Clinical Coding Service and NHS Classification Service Clinical Coding Advisors / National Clinical Coding Query Mechanism in the resolution of complex clinical coding queries.
5. To provide a point of reference within the Trust to solve complex clinical coding queries, including new diagnoses and procedures not previously performed or coded.
6. To provide guidance on diagnostic and operative coding procedures and codes to clinical directorates, consultants, individual specialty departments, Information Staff, Clinical Effectiveness, HED Benchmarking Working Groups, Primary Care Groups and Trust managers for clinical audit / budgeting / monitoring and planning purposes.
7. To supply information on coding to Corporate Information Team and Finance Directorate to be used for contract purposes to underpin invoicing and information used for Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) assignment, utilised in hospital funding from the Treasury (Payment by Results).
Service Delivery and Improvement
8. To be the main point of contact (together with the Head of Clinical Coding) for the ongoing development of the clinical coding process, in particular with respect to greater clinician involvement, improved data quality and more streamlined processes. Understand the importance of PbR and HRG’s in the above context and be able to articulate the complexities of this system to the team and other groups of staff.
9. To develop efficient processes and mange workloads of designated groups of coders to support all of the above and to ensure suitable staff coverage is maintained across the Trust at all times. To plan progression of workload complexity for trainee coder development.
10. To plan and implement internal coding audit programme involving and consulting clinical coders, clinicians and managers as required.
11. To take the lead in resolving coding queries as raised by the members of the clinical coding team – sharing expertise and assisting in the interpretation of complex clinical information ensuring adherence to national standards.
12. To ensure any additions or changes in coding classifications/guidelines are adhered to. Disseminate Coding Clinic information updates and ensure changes are documented as appropriate and implemented across the Trust.
13. To obtain and collate clinical information from patient health records. To analyse and interpret that data and translate into Diagnosis and Procedure codes using the International Classification of Diseases (latest version) and the Office of Population and Censuses Classifications of Surgical Operations and Procedures (latest version). These codes need to be accurate, complete and timely to support multiple Trust business streams and the post holder needs to understand the implications to the Trust of this coded data
14. Ensure that patient records are stored within the coding offices in a safe manner and that all records are tracked on the PAS system (Careflow)
15. To liaise with other Team leaders in maintaining departmental Policy and Procedures Manual.
16. To deputise, as and when required, for Head of Clinical Coding as a representative of the department at meetings and committees – both internal and external to the Trust.
17. Responsible for ordering stationery for the Department and as authorised signatory e.g. for staff expense claims
People Management and Development
18. To line manage a specified group of coders and oversee this group in meeting strict local, national and contractual deadlines for the assignment of clinical codes using ICD10 and OPCS classifications
19. Linked to the above take all necessary steps to ensure the target of 100% completeness within the specified time frames; taking initial action to deal with any problems in meeting this target
20. To support the ongoing training of all Coding staff, including checking their work as part of ongoing internal audit; and ensuring targeted external and internal training is available for all.
21. To maintain a log of all training undertaken for all staff
22. To undertake performance monitoring and appraisal for all Coding staff
23. To work with the Head of Clinical Coding on the recruitment and selection of clinical coders
24. To manage first stage of employee relation issues including sickness, absence and performance management
25. To be responsible for approving time sheets and all travel/subsistence claims for coding staff
Learning and Development
26. To take responsibility for self development on a continuous basis, undertaking on the job and other training as required in order to maintain clinical coding skills and knowledge base completely up to date.
27. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
28. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
29. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
30. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
31. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person specification
essential
Essential criteria
32. Ten years of more as a Clinical Coder or Accredited Clinical Coder status
33. Up to date Refresher Course certificate
34. Experience in achieving tight deadlines
35. Experience in communicating with clinicians at all levels
36. Calm, professional manner in stressful situations
Desirable criteria
37. Experience in Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Powerpoint
38. Experience in mentoring more junior Clinical Coders
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
39. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
40. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications