The Clinical Coding Department at WHTH is undergoing a complete transformation to be more responsive to the changing demands of the organisation, especially, with the Trust adopting Electronic Patient System (EPR) recently.

There is a requirement for high quality data collection and reporting with implementation of EPR to accurately reflect clinical activity and outcomes. This in turn will ensure that our services are set up to support our patient case mix enabling us to provide the right care for our patients.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours) based at Watford General Hospital, with opportunity for hybrid working and flexibility with working times to support our employees with a healthy work-life balance.

If you would like to talk to someone regarding this role, please contact:

Vidya Palaninathan (Head of Clinical Coding) -vpalaninathan@nhs.net or

Philip Powell (Deputy Head of Coding) -philip.powell5@nhs.net.

Main duties of the job

You will report to and assist the Coding Quality Assurance Lead in designing and delivering a robust clinical coding training programme for WHTH ensuring the highest quality coding data to satisfy NHS regulatory bodies that the Trust exemplifies best practice and promotes a culture of continuous improvement.

You will deliver regular in-house coding training including the mandatory clinical coding standards courses and speciality workshops in line with the Approved Trainer Code of Conduct.

You will provide training feedback and SMART recommendations for improving the quality of the coded data to ensure the Trust gets accurately reimbursed for its services.

You will be required to work alongside the clinicians, coders, and managers to enhance the accuracy and completeness of the clinical documentation provided for coding purposes.

As a learner-focussed trainer, you will have proven expertise in delivering a comprehensive coding training programme to the team.

You will respond to external FOI requests, disseminate training feedback, advise the coding team of new coding guidelines and updates to national standards and local policies, and provide appropriate support where required.

(*Please refer to the job description and person specification documents for more details on the responsibilities and requirements for this role.)

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

We are a flexible working employer

At West Herts we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. We are delighted to offer a variety of flexible working options for all staff. Please check out our web page for more information.

https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/

We encourage and welcome people with disabilities. If you need help, please ask.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:

Delivering formal clinical coding training that complies with the Approved Clinical Coding Trainer Framework.

Discussing and resolving coding queries from the coding team as well as providing expert advice for coding information requests from other divisions and departments within the Trust in a timely manner.

Disseminating training feedback to the team members and devising action plans to improve coding performance.

Sharing responsibility with the Coding Quality Assurance Lead in providing constructive feedback on coding performance and ensuring knowledge and learning points are communicated effectively across the team.

Assisting the Coding Quality Assurance Lead in developing and implementing a robust clinical coding training programme for the coding team.

Regularly liaising with clinicians, coders, and managers to enhance the accuracy and completeness of the clinical documentation provided for coding purposes.

(*Please refer to the job description and person specification documents for more details on the responsibilities and requirements for this role.)

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

• Educated to degree level in human sciences or other human sciences related qualification.
• National Accredited Clinical Coder Qualification (ACC) with at least several years' post-accreditation experience of accurately coding complex data in acute NHS settings.
• NHS Digital Approved Clinical Coding Trainer Qualification.
• Presentation delivery skills course.
• Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course within the last 3 years of this application.
• Evidence of continuing professional development e.g., attendance at speciality workshops and other relevant courses.

Desirable

• Report writing course.

Knowledge:

Essential

• Proven expertise and specialist knowledge in the application of the rules and conventions of ICD-10 and OPCS-4. Advanced knowledge of national coding standards and conventions and their relationship to Healthcare Resource Groups.
• Knowledge of Data Security and Protection Toolkit Standard 3 guidance.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of the Approved Trainer Code of Conduct.
• Good understanding of commissioning requirements in NHS including NTPS and HRGs.
• Advanced knowledge of complex medical terminology and anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of HSMR, SMR and other mortality indicators.
• Knowledge of SNOMED CT.
• Knowledge of the information governance processes and NHS data flows.
• Knowledge of clinical systems like SUNQUEST ICE, ICRIS etc.
• Knowledge of Hospital Patient Administration System (PAS) and Medicode encoder system.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications e.g., excel, word etc., and keyboard typing skills. Knowledge of maintaining safety whilst using equipment.
• Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality, Data Protection Act and Caldicott principles.

Desirable

• Knowledge of GIRFT.

Experience:

Essential

• Experience of delivering coding trainings and disseminating feedback to the team in a timely manner.
• Experience producing formal training feedback reports for individuals and managers
• Significant experience working as a clinical coder in an acute trust with in-depth knowledge in coding a wide range of complex specialities.
• Experience producing high quality work consistently, thereby, achieving personal and departmental objectives and goals.
• Experience participating in coding validation meetings with clinicians.
• Experience in mentoring less experienced staff.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams within a health care environment.
• Experience in following policies and guidelines.

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

360-E-8208-RA