Clinical Coding - Technical Expert

The post is responsible for the continuous improvement of the quality of clinical coding within the Trust by providing a point of reference for all coding and non-coding staff to address queries on clinical coding, by attending appropriate multi-disciplinary team meetings, assisting with the audit and supervision of the clinical coding workload, supporting the Digital Levelling Up Programme and providing team leadership., The duties will include (but not limited to) liaising with the Informatics team, Clinical and Divisional staff to ensure the most appropriate systems and documentation are utilised to support the coding process, given National developments and requirements of the Data Quality and Clinical Coding Department.,

• Provide an expert point of reference for coders to address quality issues within the clinical coding department.
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings to improve the quality and timeliness of clinical coding within the Trust.
• Assist in the completion and implementation of recommendations from Clinical Coding audits.
• Abstract and assign clinical codes to all inpatient and day-case episodes (and where appropriate support outpatient coding processes), applying national and international classification rules and conventions.
• Enter clinical data into Encoder (SimpleCode Web), which updates Tru's PAS system (MAXIMS), for every patient within the set post-discharge timeframe.
• To be proficient in the Trust's many IT systems, including but not limited to Badgernet, Solus, Medisight, Nexus, iQemo, Simplecode Web and the Classifications Browser, providing technical expertise and support to the Coding Team.
• Ensure that errors are dealt with as appropriate.
• Ensure adherence to local procedures, guidance and resolutions established for clinical coding.
• Promote continuous improvement in data quality by keeping up to date with developments and innovations in divisional specialties and coding disciplines.
• Resolve documentation and/or coding queries by consulting colleagues and by liaising with medical staff for clarification of information.
• Liaise with medical secretaries, medical records personnel, ward personnel and health care staff regarding access to case-notes.
• Raise any coding issue requiring resolution with the Clinical Coding Trainer & Auditor.
• Manage a group of Clinical Coders, overseeing performance, HR processes and appraisals.
• Mentor trainee coders and support the Clinical Coding Trainer & Auditor in the delivery of the trainee coder programme.
• Support the Clinical Coding Trainer & Auditor in the delivery of the audit programme.
• Support the Trust in the Digital Levelling-Up Programme.
• Cover colleagues' absence during holidays/sickness.
It should be noted that this post could involve the lifting and transferring of patient records.


• GCSE or equivalent in English
• Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) status (will accept application from candidate due to sit the next available exam)
Desirable criteria
• GCSE or equivalent in Human Biology, Human Sciences, or related subject
• Terminology and Classification Service (TSDS) Qualified Clinical Coding Auditor
• Terminology and Classification Service (TSDS) Qualified Clinical Coding Trainer, Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality, Data Protection Act and Caldicott Principles
• Knowledge of Clinical Coding Uses and Classifications
• Significant knowledge and experience of clinical coding standards and requirements
• Significant knowledge of anatomy and physiology and medical terminology
• Experience of decision making in a work-based environment
Desirable criteria
• Experience of team leadership and supervision
• Experience of HR policies and procedures
• Experience of undertaking appraisals
• Experience of SimpleCode Web
Skills and AbilityEssential criteria
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate with colleagues at different levels ie multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to explain complex coding terminology to a variety of contacts and stakeholders in order that they clearly understand coding requirements.
• Ability to overcome barriers to engagement by stakeholders using persuasive communications.
• Ability to provide coding advice and support to clinical coders.
• Ability to mentor trainee clinical coders
• Ability to organise workload, manage time and prioritise tasks to meet challenging deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Ability to withstand pressure of working in a busy department
• Ability to adapt to changes in working pattern.
• Ability to apply a flexible approach to working
• Ability to manage difficult situations confidently
• Be committed to personal and professional development and willing to undergo all further training according to the requirements of the post.
• Ability to travel between sites
Desirable criteria
• Presentation skills
• Report writing skills
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work., One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.
One LSC stands for 'One Lancashire and South Cumbria' and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership. The Trusts that make up One LSC are: · Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust · Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust · Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.