Clinical Coding Business Analyst

Health Jobs UK; Bedford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a skilled Clinical Coder to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in ensuring high-quality clinical coding services, which are essential for accurate data management and financial performance. You will work closely with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to translate complex medical information into precise clinical codes, adhering to national standards. If you are passionate about data quality and have a strong background in clinical coding, this opportunity is perfect for you to make a significant impact on patient care and organizational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Expertise in clinical coding with a focus on ICD-10 and OPCS-4 standards.
• Proficiency in Trust's IT systems and data quality management.

Responsibilities

• Abstract and analyze patient information for accurate clinical coding.
• Maintain national coding standards and verify patient data accuracy.

Skills

Clinical Coding

ICD-10

OPCS-4

Data Quality Management

Medical Terminology

Analytical Skills

Education

Clinical Coding Certification

Health Information Management Degree

Tools

iPM

Viper

Medicode

ICE

Clinical Income Dashboard

Job description

Job summary

Must have Clinical Coding experience.

The post holder will provide an effective, accurate, timely, and consistent clinical coding service to the Trust and ensure all coding expectations are achieved, assisting in business intelligence outcomes and audits where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

1. Promote continuous improvement in data quality by keeping abreast of developments and innovations in medical, surgical, and coding disciplines. This role is a key member of the data quality team, aiming to provide credible, accurate, complete, and timely data for the Trust.
2. Review deceased patients and maintain higher SHMI performance for Bedfordshire Hospitals.
3. Be proficient in the Trust's IT systems, including iPM, Viper, Medicode, ICE, Clinical Correspondence, MediViewer/Evolve (for ERDMS), and the Clinical Income Dashboard system.
4. Review clinical coding standards within the Trust, monitoring and peer reviewing to ensure standards are being met by all coding staff.
5. Liaise with other disciplines regarding data clarification to support data quality.
6. Understand Hospital Administrative systems to validate and correct errors, ensuring accurate patient information recording to support standards.
7. Investigate and correct complex clinical coding data rejected or queried by recipient systems; advise the Data Standards Manager of issues impacting Trust performance.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to around 700,000 people across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, operating from two hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both sites offer A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity, and Paediatrics. The Trust is committed to staff health and wellbeing, high-quality training, and delivering excellent patient care using the latest clinical knowledge and technology.

We value diversity and inclusion, recruiting individuals who demonstrate our core values through values-based recruitment. We are committed to equality and creating a culture that values differences.

Note: Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications are received. All new staff are subject to a 6-month probation. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all attached documents to understand the job requirements.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Abstract and analyze complex patient information, translating medical terminology into clinical codes using ICD-10, OPCS-4, and the Clinical Coding Manual, then inputting this data into the clinical information system.
2. Maintain national coding standards, adhering to conventions to ensure a complete picture of the patient’s hospital stay.
3. Code according to professional standards, ensuring high-quality coded data within specified timeframes, requiring focus, motivation, and judgment.
4. Work under pressure, maintaining accuracy during monthly closedown and refresh periods.
5. Verify accuracy of admissions, transfers, and discharges, identifying errors in the clinical information system.
6. Respond promptly to Clinical Commissioning Group challenges regarding code assignments.
7. Engage with clinicians and medical staff to ensure coding quality, communicating complex rules effectively via various methods.
8. Challenge, question, and clarify adherence to coding standards as necessary.
9. Mentor less experienced coding staff, supporting understanding of coding rules, PbR, and HRG processes.

Failure to code accurately could result in significant financial loss to the Trust.

1. Manage and prioritize own workload within the department.
2. Be proficient in IT systems including iPM, ICE, Clinical Correspondence, Evolve, and the Clinical Income Dashboard.
3. Access the Trust’s histopathological database (ICE) for relevant information.
4. Attend meetings with clinicians to ensure data quality standards and validate complex data and procedures.
5. Understand the impact of coded data on various Trust functions and advise staff accordingly.
6. Maintain a portfolio of evidence and professional accreditation, updating medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and coding knowledge.
7. Support training of new and less experienced coders, participate in audits, and contribute to process improvements.
8. Be adaptable to organizational changes to improve service quality.
9. Visit wards and departments to view source documents and chase outstanding data, including electronic records.
10. Participate in discussions to improve coding and data quality, providing reports and presentations.
11. Plan and prioritize workload, advising leadership of any issues.
12. Contribute to the development of departmental policies.
13. Perform other reasonable requests from the Head of Clinical Coding Services.
14. Maintain confidentiality at all times.