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Job summary

Main area
Clinical Coding
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
360-IE-10167-A
Employer
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Watford General Hospital
Town
Watford
Salary
£28,860 - £31,671 pa inc. HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Band 4 - Clinical Coder, Clinical Coding Department

Band 4

Job overview

As part of the EPR transformation, we are looking to recruit a self-motivated fast learner with demonstrable ability to analyse and accurately abstract clinical information from a variety of data sources.

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. 

****** IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ ******

Please note - we are unable to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (Work Permit) for this role.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Clinical Coding Team Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, complete, and consistent clinical coding is carried out within strict timescales, using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications, and adhering to the national coding standards and local clinical coding policies of the Trust. 

You will be required to collect, collate, and code clinical information, covering a wide range of specialities. This may involve coding highly sensitive and emotionally distressing patient medical records.

Working for our organisation

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-imagining 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 our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
 
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.
 
 
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
 
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
 
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.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ensuring accurate, timely, complete, and consistent clinical coding is carried out within strict timescales, using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 classifications, and adhering to the national coding standards and local clinical coding policies of the Trust.

Collect, collate, and code clinical information covering a wide range of specialities. This may involve coding highly sensitive and emotionally distressing patient medical records.

Maintaining own productivity by ensuring high quality work is done by required timescales.

Liaise with the line manager when necessary to confirm appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes where national guidance is unclear.

Regularly liaise with and update the managers and senior colleagues regarding deficiencies and ambiguity in clinical documentation to facilitate discussions with the clinical teams and other departments to improve the clinical documentation provided for coding purposes.

Raise data quality issues (e.g., inaccurate admission and discharge dates) to the Coding Operations Lead and the Coding Team Lead for resolution.

Attend and participate in team meetings to ensure knowledge and learning points are received and communicated.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level in human sciences or other human sciences related academic qualification or equivalent specialist occupational experience.
Desirable criteria
  • European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).
  • Successful completion of the NHS Classifications Services Foundation Workshop.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of national coding classifications and conventions
  • Knowledge of medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology.
  • 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 criteria
  • Knowledge of medical records processes.
  • Knowledge of the information governance processes and data flows.
  • Knowledge of Hospital Patient Administration System (PAS).
  • Knowledge of clinical systems like SUNQUEST ICE, ICRIS etc.
  • Knowledge of commissioning requirements including NTPS and HRGs.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience working in a pressurised office environment adhering to policies and guidelines and meeting strict deadlines.
  • Experience in following policies and guidelines.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams within a health care environment.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Committed to being an Inclusive EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident employerStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Philip Powell
Job title
Clinical Coding Operational Supervisor
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01923217552

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone
01442 365234
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