Job summary
Do you enjoy working to improve the quality of clinical coding? Are you looking for an opportunity to use your extensive coding experience and take the next step in your career?
LTHT is looking for a Coding Auditor to work within our audit & development team.
Coding Auditors are responsible for ensuring the quality of coding within the department, as well as being a point of contact for queries from the team.
They do this by conducting regular, professional audits and validation of the work of the department and feeding results back to the team to improve our practice.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will:
Be an Accredited Clinical Coder (NCCQ /ACC qualification). Preferably, the applicant will already be an NHS Digital Approved auditor, but if not they will be eligible to apply for the next Auditor assessment day.
Have an excellent record of delivering work to strict deadlines while meeting mandatory quality requirements.
Show a thorough knowledge of Clinical Coding, including national standards and conventions, uses of the coded data, and how the performance of the department is benchmarked.
Have an organised and methodical approach to managing their workload.
Handle confidential and sensitive information with tact and discretion.
Be approachable, helpful and understanding, working well as part of the team.
If this sounds like you then we would welcome your application!
About us
DIT at LTHT is a highly motivated and inclusive place to work. We hold our Leeds Way Values in high esteem and respect all colleagues. Within the trust we are always looking to improve and give the best service possible, and we are looking for individuals with the same drive to join us.
The clinical coding team works within DIT to provide an accurate picture of the activity carried out within LTHT. The data we produce is invaluable; informing funding, planning and benchmarking. Accurate and timely coded data is vital to the success of the organisation.
Wed love to consider your application if you want to be a part of delivering operational services that allow patients to be treated effectively across Leeds.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOBDESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. JOB DETAILS
JobTitle: ClinicalCoding Auditor
Reportsto: Clinical CodingAnalyst & Trainer
Band: 6
Unit/Department: Clinical Coding
Location[1]: Cross-site
AfCJob No: 2801e
2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
The Clinical Coding Auditor hasresponsibility for assessing and monitoring the quality of coding produced bythe department. They provide feedbackand guidance to staff and implement any systems necessary to ensure continuingimprovement.
The post-holder must be a nationallyapproved auditor (registered with NHS England Terminology and ClassificationsService) or willing to obtain the qualification within 12 months of appointment. They must be able to produce audit reportssuitable for all levels of management within the Trust and to provide expertadvice as necessary.
Coding Auditors are also involved in theprocess of external audits, signing off any errors, challenging external auditordecisions when appropriate and helping to implement any recommendations asnecessary.
The Coding department isresponsible for recording activity of around 260,000 inpatient FinishedConsultant Episodes per year. There are around 35-40 Coders in the Codingdepartment. The Clinical Coding Auditor willbe directly responsible for formulating and strategically implementing aprogramme of audits to monitor the work produced by each team and individualCoder within the department. The Audit programme will cover all specialityareas requiring extensive Coding knowledge, the individual will also have toundertake ad-hoc audit work at short notice to answer specific queries whichwill require adjustments to the planned work.
Audit work impacts on all Clinical CSUsas the auditor will aim not only to address incorrect coding but work withclinical teams around documentation. Highlighting and correcting errors willhave a financial implication for the organisation; it is essential the auditorworks with the finance team and ICB to ensure notice periods are adhered to.
The post holder will beresponsible for the feedback of audit results and training related to codingand PAS issues to not just the Coding team but to triumvirates, Clinical teamsand external organisations such as the ICB.
The individual will be responsible formaking recommendations for service improvement and implementing a comprehensiveaudit policy document for the department, researching and implementing localclinical coding policies and maintaining these policies to ensure continuedaccuracy and consistency of the clinically coded information.
The post-holder will be responsible forassisting with external audits; there are generally one to two of these peryear. Each year, they must compile andsubmit a more extensive audit of coding in the Trust (200 episodes).
They must have extensiveknowledge of the Clinical Coding process and the National Standards surroundingthem.
Clinical Coding is the driver behindnationally collected information and the correct reimbursement of funds foractivity undertaken in LTHT. It is essential that the clinical coding isaccurate.
The Auditors role is vital for theorganisation to improve and then maintain high standards of coded information.
The effects of improving the ClinicalCoding are long reaching as it will affect all Clinical CSUs, Finance andInformatics, requiring the individual to have extensive knowledge of AcuteHospital Trusts and the external organisations involved.
The individual will be responsible forthe safe and efficient use of specialist Clinical Coding equipment for use bythemselves and others within the clinical coding function.
A key responsibility for the individualwill be to provide training for the department through audit, ensuring that theteam are adhering to National standards and working through errors with theteam to understand the root cause.
4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
CodingRelated
Auditsthe work of the department, in line with national and local coding standardsand the auditor code of conduct.
Toprovide expert advice, training and feedback to the Clinical Coding team.
Providesinput into reviews of coding local policies to ensure that they arecomprehensive and meet national standards and guidelines.
Developsand maintains a comprehensive internal audit plan, in line with the needs ofthe department and wider organisation.
Givesdetailed audit feedback, producing professional reports, fit for presentationat board-level. Agrees recommendations with the management team.
Isinvolved in giving direct feedback to the targets of all audits, tactfully andconstructively.
Carriesout (yearly) an extensive audit of coding produced by the team, for inclusionin the Trusts Information Governance Toolkit submission.
Carriesout audits on individual Coders when requested, to support internal managementprocesses.
Performsaudits to assess whether Trainee Coders have met the accuracy requirements forprogression.
Assistswith preparation for external audits (NHSPS assurance and ICB-requested). Challenges external auditor decisions when appropriate.
Usesall available tools to identify and monitor data quality improvements,reporting findings to the management team.
Keepsa personalised audit logbook in line with CCAP requirements, to evidencecontinuing professional development and to maintain approved auditor status.
Assistswith the day-to-day work of the department and carries out any otherappropriate duties as and when required by the management team.
The post holder will haveexcellent communication skills to be able to impart complex clinical codinginformation to groups and individuals with no Clinical Coding background suchas Clinicians and Business Managers.
The post holder will act as lead specialistfor the department, the individual will be able to use their own discretion onhow to undertake activities within the Auditor role. The Individual will implementprograms of audit and the audit process. Based on the needs of the departmentand the individual the Auditor is able to proposechanges in working practices and procedures to improve the quality of theClinical Coding.
Experience of using the MicrosoftOffice suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
The individual will beresponsible for the testing of upgrades to the Medicode (encoder Software)prior to implementation by Daedalus (PAS software provider).
Demonstrated enhanced dataextraction skills in order to correctly reflect/interpret clinical informationinto a coded format and accurately input the coded information onto the encodersoftware to ensure correct re-numeration of funds for LTHT. A highly developedeye for detail is essential.
Develop and maintain auditdatabase for the Clinical Coding team.
The individual will beresponsible for bringing together the information required to develop a suiteof reports to monitor areas where additional training has been provided. Theindividual will be required to regularly create reports through nationalbenchmarking software to assess LTHT performance against peer hospital groups.
Expert knowledge of dataprotection issues in coding, including a familiarity with the requirements ofthe Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Caldicottprinciples.
Communication Skills - Theauditor, will be responsible for providing audit feedback to a wide range ofindividuals both from within coding and the wider organisation. This will requirehighly developed communication skills to feedback complex clinical codinginformation to individuals, who may or may not have performed to expectedstandards. The Auditor must be able to communicate sensitively and empathicallyin order to make a potentially negative conversation into a positive learningexperience.
The Auditor, when feeding back tothe wider organisation, must have a highly developed understanding of what iscausing errors in order to feed back to CSUs or medical teams to rectify theseissues.
The post-holder must be able to workconstructively with the team in order to improve quality.
They must be able to delivereffective verbal and written feedback to a wide range of audiences, includingConsultants, Coders, local and senior management.
Teamwork - The auditor worksclosely with the Clinical Coding Trainer to establish and implement improvementprogrammes for the department. The Auditor will be required to work closelywith triumvirates to understand where additional audits may be required andbased on the results the wider implications of making changes in these areas,such as financial or against national benchmarking.
Analytical Skills - Must be anexpert in analysing medical documentation.Able to break down complex problems and interpret the National CodingStandards in a consistent manner.
The individual must be able toanalyse information on national benchmarking to understand where LTHT standswith the peer group of acute Trusts and to review and understand if the Trustis outlying in any areas.
Displays Good Judgement - Must beable to select the most appropriate resolutions to complex problems (e.g.coding of non-directly classifiable conditions / procedures, seeminglyconflicting coding guidance), based on a variety of differentpossibilities. The reasoning must thenbe explained clearly and effectively.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOBDESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. JOB DETAILS
JobTitle: ClinicalCoding Auditor
Reportsto: Clinical CodingAnalyst & Trainer
Band: 6
Unit/Department: Clinical Coding
Location[1]: Cross-site
AfCJob No: 2801e
2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
The Clinical Coding Auditor hasresponsibility for assessing and monitoring the quality of coding produced bythe department. They provide feedbackand guidance to staff and implement any systems necessary to ensure continuingimprovement.
The post-holder must be a nationallyapproved auditor (registered with NHS England Terminology and ClassificationsService) or willing to obtain the qualification within 12 months of appointment. They must be able to produce audit reportssuitable for all levels of management within the Trust and to provide expertadvice as necessary.
Coding Auditors are also involved in theprocess of external audits, signing off any errors, challenging external auditordecisions when appropriate and helping to implement any recommendations asnecessary.
The Coding department isresponsible for recording activity of around 260,000 inpatient FinishedConsultant Episodes per year. There are around 35-40 Coders in the Codingdepartment. The Clinical Coding Auditor willbe directly responsible for formulating and strategically implementing aprogramme of audits to monitor the work produced by each team and individualCoder within the department. The Audit programme will cover all specialityareas requiring extensive Coding knowledge, the individual will also have toundertake ad-hoc audit work at short notice to answer specific queries whichwill require adjustments to the planned work.
Audit work impacts on all Clinical CSUsas the auditor will aim not only to address incorrect coding but work withclinical teams around documentation. Highlighting and correcting errors willhave a financial implication for the organisation; it is essential the auditorworks with the finance team and ICB to ensure notice periods are adhered to.
The post holder will beresponsible for the feedback of audit results and training related to codingand PAS issues to not just the Coding team but to triumvirates, Clinical teamsand external organisations such as the ICB.
The individual will be responsible formaking recommendations for service improvement and implementing a comprehensiveaudit policy document for the department, researching and implementing localclinical coding policies and maintaining these policies to ensure continuedaccuracy and consistency of the clinically coded information.
The post-holder will be responsible forassisting with external audits; there are generally one to two of these peryear. Each year, they must compile andsubmit a more extensive audit of coding in the Trust (200 episodes).
They must have extensiveknowledge of the Clinical Coding process and the National Standards surroundingthem.
Clinical Coding is the driver behindnationally collected information and the correct reimbursement of funds foractivity undertaken in LTHT. It is essential that the clinical coding isaccurate.
The Auditors role is vital for theorganisation to improve and then maintain high standards of coded information.
The effects of improving the ClinicalCoding are long reaching as it will affect all Clinical CSUs, Finance andInformatics, requiring the individual to have extensive knowledge of AcuteHospital Trusts and the external organisations involved.
The individual will be responsible forthe safe and efficient use of specialist Clinical Coding equipment for use bythemselves and others within the clinical coding function.
A key responsibility for the individualwill be to provide training for the department through audit, ensuring that theteam are adhering to National standards and working through errors with theteam to understand the root cause.
4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
CodingRelated
Auditsthe work of the department, in line with national and local coding standardsand the auditor code of conduct.
Toprovide expert advice, training and feedback to the Clinical Coding team.
Providesinput into reviews of coding local policies to ensure that they arecomprehensive and meet national standards and guidelines.
Developsand maintains a comprehensive internal audit plan, in line with the needs ofthe department and wider organisation.
Givesdetailed audit feedback, producing professional reports, fit for presentationat board-level. Agrees recommendations with the management team.
Isinvolved in giving direct feedback to the targets of all audits, tactfully andconstructively.
Carriesout (yearly) an extensive audit of coding produced by the team, for inclusionin the Trusts Information Governance Toolkit submission.
Carriesout audits on individual Coders when requested, to support internal managementprocesses.
Performsaudits to assess whether Trainee Coders have met the accuracy requirements forprogression.
Assistswith preparation for external audits (NHSPS assurance and ICB-requested). Challenges external auditor decisions when appropriate.
Usesall available tools to identify and monitor data quality improvements,reporting findings to the management team.
Keepsa personalised audit logbook in line with CCAP requirements, to evidencecontinuing professional development and to maintain approved auditor status.
Assistswith the day-to-day work of the department and carries out any otherappropriate duties as and when required by the management team.
The post holder will haveexcellent communication skills to be able to impart complex clinical codinginformation to groups and individuals with no Clinical Coding background suchas Clinicians and Business Managers.
The post holder will act as lead specialistfor the department, the individual will be able to use their own discretion onhow to undertake activities within the Auditor role. The Individual will implementprograms of audit and the audit process. Based on the needs of the departmentand the individual the Auditor is able to proposechanges in working practices and procedures to improve the quality of theClinical Coding.
Experience of using the MicrosoftOffice suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
The individual will beresponsible for the testing of upgrades to the Medicode (encoder Software)prior to implementation by Daedalus (PAS software provider).
Demonstrated enhanced dataextraction skills in order to correctly reflect/interpret clinical informationinto a coded format and accurately input the coded information onto the encodersoftware to ensure correct re-numeration of funds for LTHT. A highly developedeye for detail is essential.
Develop and maintain auditdatabase for the Clinical Coding team.
The individual will beresponsible for bringing together the information required to develop a suiteof reports to monitor areas where additional training has been provided. Theindividual will be required to regularly create reports through nationalbenchmarking software to assess LTHT performance against peer hospital groups.
Expert knowledge of dataprotection issues in coding, including a familiarity with the requirements ofthe Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Caldicottprinciples.
Communication Skills - Theauditor, will be responsible for providing audit feedback to a wide range ofindividuals both from within coding and the wider organisation. This will requirehighly developed communication skills to feedback complex clinical codinginformation to individuals, who may or may not have performed to expectedstandards. The Auditor must be able to communicate sensitively and empathicallyin order to make a potentially negative conversation into a positive learningexperience.
The Auditor, when feeding back tothe wider organisation, must have a highly developed understanding of what iscausing errors in order to feed back to CSUs or medical teams to rectify theseissues.
The post-holder must be able to workconstructively with the team in order to improve quality.
They must be able to delivereffective verbal and written feedback to a wide range of audiences, includingConsultants, Coders, local and senior management.
Teamwork - The auditor worksclosely with the Clinical Coding Trainer to establish and implement improvementprogrammes for the department. The Auditor will be required to work closelywith triumvirates to understand where additional audits may be required andbased on the results the wider implications of making changes in these areas,such as financial or against national benchmarking.
Analytical Skills - Must be anexpert in analysing medical documentation.Able to break down complex problems and interpret the National CodingStandards in a consistent manner.
The individual must be able toanalyse information on national benchmarking to understand where LTHT standswith the peer group of acute Trusts and to review and understand if the Trustis outlying in any areas.
Displays Good Judgement - Must beable to select the most appropriate resolutions to complex problems (e.g.coding of non-directly classifiable conditions / procedures, seeminglyconflicting coding guidance), based on a variety of differentpossibilities. The reasoning must thenbe explained clearly and effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Must be an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC), having passed the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ).
* Must have attended a National Coding Standards Course or Standards Refresher Course within the past three years.
Desirable
* Must be an Approved Clinical Coding Auditor, registered with NHS England (or willing to work towards this).
Experience
Essential
* Must demonstrate an expert-level knowledge of the ICD-10 classification and associated national standards for England.
* Must demonstrate an expert-level knowledge of the OPCS-4 classification and associated national standards for England.
* Must have extensive experience of working in an acute trust as a senior-level coder over multiple complex specialities.
* Must have demonstrated an ability to write professional reports and to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences (individuals and groups).
* Must have experience of identifying and investigating anomalous results, providing solutions and monitoring their effectiveness.
Desirable
* Have previous experience working as a Coding Auditor in an acute trust.
* Experience of using 3M Medicode, including the coding, reporting and audit functions
* Experience of using the Daedalus PatientCentre PAS or similar systems.
* Experience of directing the work of small teams for ad-hoc projects
* A good understanding of the workings of LTHT; its services, structure, objectives and policies
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
* Displays consistently good analytical and judgement skills. Able to correctly interpret and apply highly complex rules and standards.
* Gives feedback clearly but tactfully and with regard to the likely consequences of the results.
* Shows enthusiasm for the work of the team. Keeps up to date with changes in the field and develops / maintains professional contacts in other Trusts.
* Works with others from outside the department and conducts themselves in a professional and friendly manner.
Other criteria
Essential
* Good organisational skills, in order to manage own workload (structured and ad-hoc) to achieve departmental deadlines.
* Excellent communication skills - able to provide complex information to a wide range of audiences.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Must be an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC), having passed the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ).
* Must have attended a National Coding Standards Course or Standards Refresher Course within the past three years.
Desirable
* Must be an Approved Clinical Coding Auditor, registered with NHS England (or willing to work towards this).
Experience
Essential
* Must demonstrate an expert-level knowledge of the ICD-10 classification and associated national standards for England.
* Must demonstrate an expert-level knowledge of the OPCS-4 classification and associated national standards for England.
* Must have extensive experience of working in an acute trust as a senior-level coder over multiple complex specialities.
* Must have demonstrated an ability to write professional reports and to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences (individuals and groups).
* Must have experience of identifying and investigating anomalous results, providing solutions and monitoring their effectiveness.
Desirable
* Have previous experience working as a Coding Auditor in an acute trust.
* Experience of using 3M Medicode, including the coding, reporting and audit functions
* Experience of using the Daedalus PatientCentre PAS or similar systems.
* Experience of directing the work of small teams for ad-hoc projects
* A good understanding of the workings of LTHT; its services, structure, objectives and policies
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
* Displays consistently good analytical and judgement skills. Able to correctly interpret and apply highly complex rules and standards.
* Gives feedback clearly but tactfully and with regard to the likely consequences of the results.
* Shows enthusiasm for the work of the team. Keeps up to date with changes in the field and develops / maintains professional contacts in other Trusts.
* Works with others from outside the department and conducts themselves in a professional and friendly manner.
Other criteria
Essential
* Good organisational skills, in order to manage own workload (structured and ad-hoc) to achieve departmental deadlines.
* Excellent communication skills - able to provide complex information to a wide range of audiences.
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
Employer's website #J-18808-Ljbffr