Senior Clinical Coder

The post-holder will be responsible for the clinical coding of inpatient and day-case episodes across all specialties provided at North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals.

The post involves liaising with clinicians and clinical teams on a regular basis to verify data recorded in patient case-notes and on electronic systems.

The post holder will contribute positively towards the development of the novice clinical coders, will act as mentor to and assist in the training of less experienced coders

Abstract clinical information from the electronic patient record to translate into diagnostic (ICD10) and operative (OPCS4) codes in a timely and accurate manner, applying national and international classification rules and conventions.

Work with clinicians to ensure they understand the coding process and its limitations, discuss complex clinical information and convey coding standards and requirements in language understandable by clinicians.

Attend meetings to discuss coding issues and data-quality as required.

Ensure coded data submitted is complete and accurate with full understanding of responsibility for generating the correct financial revenue for the Trust, and impact on Trust’s mortality indicators.

• Make decision to contact clinician if clinical document is incomplete or appears inaccurate meaning an accurate code assignment can not be made.
• Ensure coding queries are resolved, escalating to the line manager where necessary.
• Plan and prioritise own workload to meet performance and quality targets and, in a timely manner, advise the line manager of any hindrance to the achievement of these targets.
• Ensure monthly departmental deadlines are met, in line with nationally mandated flex and freeze dates, including forward planning of workloads for self and less experienced team members.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, including those who first language is not English.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Caroline Griffin Job title: Clinical Coding Manager Email address: caroline.griffin5@nhs.net Telephone number: 01642 383282