Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Clinical Coder to deliver an accurate, timely, and consistent clinical coding service. This is a key role within the organisation, supporting both operational excellence and the ongoing development of our coding team.
As a Senior Clinical Coder, you will hold the National Clinical Coding Qualification and be an Accredited Clinical Coder. You will play a vital part in translating complex medical terminology into nationally and internationally recognised coded data. Your work will directly support clinical decision-making, research, and the financial sustainability of the organisation through accurate reporting and Healthcare Resource Group allocation.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Clinical Coder, you will be expected to look at complex information and ensure accurate code assignment whilst maintaining national clinical coding standards.
1. Accurately translate clinical information into coded data using ICD-10 and OPCS-4
2. Apply national and international coding standards, rules, and conventions
3. Ensure all patient episodes are coded within agreed deadlines
4. Maintain high levels of data quality to support clinical outcomes and organisational income
5. Communicate complex coding rules clearly to coding staff and clinicians
6. Liaise with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses and procedures
7. Monitor and manage coding backlogs, ensuring timely completion of outstanding work
8. Keep up to date with changes in clinical coding standards and attend relevant training
9. Work with senior leadership to implement and maintain coding policies and procedures
10. Access and review patient records, including case notes, radiology, and pathology systems
11. Support departmental operations and undertake additional duties as required
Working for our organisation
Why colleagues think we are
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Person specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential criteria
12. Educated to GCSE or equivalent to include English & Maths
13. Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) having passed the National Clinical Coding qualification
14. Evidence of CPD and attendance at clinical coding refresher courses
15. Sound basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology and the disease process
Desirable criteria
16. Completed AMSPAR medical terminology course or evidence of a good understanding of medical terminology
17. Completion of ECDL or evidence of knowledge of IT, NHS PAS and Microsoft software products
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
18. Sound clinical coding experience within the NHS across a range of specialties
19. Sound experience of use of clinical coding standards and conventions in both ICD 10 and OPCS4.
SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
20. Ability to prioritise own work in line with trust objectives
21. Ability to work under pressure to achieve department targets
22. Understanding of the requirement and an ability to code accurately with an eye for detail even when working to tight deadlines
23. Ability to concentrate and retain knowledge in a busy open office environment
24. Well organised, methodical worker, able to organise and plan work daily and to reprioritise as required
25. Willing and able to work as part of a team working to a common goal
26. Ability to identify and resource all available information to analyse and extract relevant information for clinical coding of the highest standard.
27. Good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate at all levels and willing to share knowledge and mentor other team members
Desirable criteria
28. Completed AMSPAR medical terminology course or evidence of a good understanding of medical terminology
29. Ability and willingness to embrace and champion change and modernisation
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges