Clinical Coding Officer

Job Overview An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced Clinical Coders to join our friendly Clinical Coding team. The successful candidates must have extensive clinical coding experience of multiple specialties and have passed the Clinical Coding Standards Course. A requirement for this role is to study and prepare to take the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ). This role requires an organised approach to the work load and the ability to work in a very busy environment where a high degree of accuracy with attention to detail and experience of working to tight deadlines is paramount. The candidate will need to form strong, effective working relations with staff at all levels within the organisation who are customers of The Health Informatics Service. CHFT offers rotation across all specialties, in house training and/or remote with NHS Approved Trainers and has a good audit programme with the benefit of dedicated qualified NHS Approved Auditors. Main duties of the job Retrieve and interpret clinical information from electronic patient record and other clinical source documents/systems, check data quality and record necessary amendments. Term and encode clinical information in accordance with national guidance for clinical coding and classification systems and with local policies and procedures. Abstract and analyse patient clinical records, using judgement to obtain the correct diagnosis and operation in complex cases. Apply clinical coding rules and conventions. Working for our organisation CHFT is an integrated Trust of 6,500+ colleagues providing hospital and community services to patients and communities across Calderdale and Kirklees. We are rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission, are a top performing Trust for Elective Recovery, Emergency and Cancer Care and widely acknowledged as a national digital lead when it comes to caring for people across our local and regional systems. Our people are at the core of everything we do, hence our commitment to One Culture of Care. Our focus is to care for and support each other in order to provide outstanding compassionate care to our patients. That is why we are looking for an inclusive collaborative, creative, innovative and compassionate leader to join us in this role. Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities Retrieve and interpret clinical information from electronic patient record and other clinical source documents/systems, check data quality and record necessary amendments. Term and encode clinical information in accordance with national guidance for clinical coding and classification systems and with local policies and procedures Abstract and analyse patient clinical records, using judgement to obtain the correct diagnosis and operation in complex cases. Apply clinical coding rules and conventions. Liaise with clinical staff to ensure correct interpretation of clinical information Promote clinical terming and coding standards within the clinical team and customer organisations. Advise on the use of terms and codes required to analyse clinical data Keep abreast of proposed changes and assist in the implementation of agreed local variations to coding rules. To work on your own initiative, prioritising own workload on a daily basis, whilst maintaining an effective and efficient Clinical Coding service. To critically examine and make independent judgements on whether coding should be carried out where diagnosis and procedural information is not transferable to exact codes or where a more detailed investigation is required for accurate coding. Ensure data is accurately entered on the Patient Administration System via the Clinical Coding Software. Provide support and specialist advice on coding issues to clinical staff and THIS customers as required. Update the coding policy/procedures with changes advised by NHS England via the Data Quality journal. Ensure continual self-development by keeping up to date with changes in coding practice and classification updates. Adapt coding practice to incorporate new and additional codes released in the regular classification upgrades. Participate in on-going clinical coding training to meet national standards and Trust requirements, including attendance on refresher courses and workshops. This may require travelling to other organisations outside of core working hours. Keep up to date with changing clinical practice in relation to clinical coding. Play an active part, within the team, to influence change in operational practice to achieve the overall aim of improving the quality of information. Participate in the strategic development of the department including the resolution of local coding issues To attend meetings at divisional / clinical level as and when required and liaise with Clinicians and Clinical staff for coding validation Be aware of all the implications and adhere strictly to the Trusts confidentiality policy at all times with Electronic Patient Record/Case notes and patient information systems. Be aware of Electronic Patient tracking/ tracing systems to facilitate completion of coded data and adherence to coding time constraints. Be prepared to research new procedures both directly and indirectly using both the clinicians and the Internet which is vital in researching medical / surgical eponyms and procedural developments. To maintain a thorough knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, medical terminology, and abbreviations. To gain a thorough knowledge of the Trust’s Clinical Information Systems in order to provide complete coding on patient care. To take an active role in the identification and correction of data quality problems To support the promotion of the professional image of the Clinical Coding service throughout the Trust. Person specificationQUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING Essential criteria

• GCSE grades 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent in English, Maths and Science
• AMSPA or equivalent in Medical Terminology
• Clinical Coding Standards Course

Desirable criteria

• European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

Essential Criteria KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Able to demonstrate judgment skills to translate complex clinical diagnoses and procedures into accurate codes
• Awareness of clinical terming and coding systems
• Knowledge/experience of medical terminology (anatomy and physiology)
• Ability to prioritise activities according to deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure and concentrate for long periods requiring accuracy and attention to detail
• Keyboard skills and the ability to use the Internet for research
• Appreciation of Data protection and patient confidentiality
• Awareness of NHS IM&T Strategy
• Awareness of security standards associated with information systems
• Experience of working with different software systems in the NHS environment
• NHS experience
• Working as part of a team and supporting others
• In-depth knowledge of ICD10 and OPCS
• Extensive proven experience of coding multiple specialities
• Must be IT literate and have experience of NHS Clinical Systems

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of undergraduate and postgraduate medicine
• Ability to work across boundaries within THIS
• Driving License and car owner

Essential Criteria COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• The ability to communicate at all levels with tact and diplomacy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Be able to communicate highly complex coding rules to coders and non-coders including clinical, admin and senior managers
• Persuasive skills and able to deal with clinical teams and managers
• Motivational skills
• The ability to work as part of a team and on own
• The ability to communicate at all levels with tact and diplomacy