Trainee Clinical Coding Analyst

Job overview

Please note that the start date for this vacancy will be on or after the 1st April 2027.

King's College Hospital has a full-time vacancy for a Band 4 Trainee Clinical Coding Analyst at King's College Hospital in Princess Royal University Hospital.

Clinical Coders translate clinical information into diagnostic and procedural codes that provide the Trust with income and accurate statistical data.

Main duties of the job

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has a vacancy for one full-time (Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week) Trainee Clinical Coding Analyst at King's College Hospital or KCH at Denmark Hill in London This post requires the successful applicant to undertake some personal study. When fully trained, you will be responsible for abstracting and translating medical terminology into clinical codes using ICD-10 and OPCS-4 to national standards.

You will be required to produce consistent, accurate, complete and timely coded clinical data, for use by the Trust’s Finance Department, Clinicians and Senior Managers. If you enjoy a busy environment and are committed to providing accurate and timely coded data, come and join us. In return we will give you access to our in-house Clinical Classification Service coding training courses, mentoring, the potential for career progression, and a great workplace. As part of this role you are required to attend a mandatory 24-day training course. Please note that Annual Leave is not permitted during the training period.

Once the mandatory training course has been completed, the trainee will have the option to work remotely on a part-time basis, subject to a competency review.

If you want to become part of our well-established team and are looking for a role with career progression, come and join us.

Please ensure that you meet the criteria on the Person Specification before applying.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Coding is a highly skilled role. The post holder will attend the Standards Course and undergo specialised formal workshops and on-the-job training/mentoring, to build knowledge and competency levels to convert clinically generated text into a coded format, entering the codes on the Trusts' encoding system,

They will work as part of a team responsible for the collation and translation of written diagnostic and procedural information from clinical documentation into internationally recognised codes, OPCS-4 & ICD-10, adhering to the rules agreed by the World Health Organisation.

As a trainee, you will be expected to work towards the Accredited Clinical Coder qualification and study independently.

Work is supervised by the Training Team & Coding Manager, supported by Accredited Clinical Coding Analysts until an agreed level of competence is reached.

• Identify from the PAS system episodes to be coded.
• Extract relevant information regarding diagnosis/procedures/dates from the source document.
• Ensure from the episode details within the patient record, the finished consultant episode is coded according to the rules of ICD & OPCS, to provide consistent high-quality coding
• On a daily basis complete the coding of those patients who have discharged episodes within the Trust PAS, inputting the code to the encoding system. In order to generate information for financial purposes (HRGs), clinical indicators, clinical governance, and local, national and international data.
• To assign, sequence and input all codes necessary to reflect the patient's total care, using ICD10 and OPCS4
• To raise a problem report to identify documentation or episode data errors that impact the achievement of coding quality and completeness
• To liaise with Auditors/Trainers to reach a firm decision as to the Diagnosis and Procedure to be coded when advice is required.
• Utilise the EPR and other relevant data/paper systems to retrieve data to assist in the coding of completed patient episodes.
• To ensure a high standard of coding quality and timeliness is maintained.
• To identify and locate the patient records or other relevant data to facilitate the coding of all uncoded episodes on a daily basis, ensuring complete coding of diagnostic and procedure codes to meet deadlines.
• Give support in the development of any new procedures and systems within the department
• Maintain and update as necessary a personal copy of the relevant coding manuals, in accordance with national standards and guidance from the Training Manager & Coding Clinic.
• To receive training in and acquire skills in new coding schemes.
• Identify and report Data Quality issues to the Clinical Coding Manager.
• Work with those you support to develop a collaborative working partnership, which positively contributes to their overall efficiency and role performance
• Maintain and improve your knowledge and understanding of the health service arena: including health systems, policy support and current issues.
• Increase the level of guidance knowledge and skills within the Trust through documenting key learning and supporting others to develop their abilities.
• Attend Mandatory Coding Training sessions including the Standards Course, various workshops and Refresher.
• Provide a high-quality service to ensure the service performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Support team members to deliver on their relevant objectives by offering advice and guidance and support as appropriate. Demonstrate own workplace routines to new and less experienced staff
• Coding Staff must work within the processes of the Patient Records Service for notes maintenance and data recording.
• Develop and maintain good links with clinical staff to ensure high-quality data.