Clinical Coding Qualified Auditor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Low Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in Bolton is seeking a senior specialist to join the Clinical Coding team. The post holder will re-code complex inpatient and day-case episodes to ICD-10 and OPCS-4, spotting recurring errors and providing evidence for the annual audit programme and DSPT.

The role is hybrid, split between Bolton Hospital and home. Applicants need Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status, or Accredited Clinical Coder status with three years' experience and a commitment to gain auditor

Qualifications

• Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status, or ACC committed to achieving it within 18 months of appointment.
• Clinical Coding Standards course or refresher within the last three years.
• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English Language and Maths, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Re-code selected inpatient and day-case episodes, including complex cases, against ICD-10 and OPCS-4.
• Apply agreed audit sampling instructions and methods, contributing to the annual audit plan.
• Identify recurring error types, emerging patterns and documentation issues from audit findings.
• Liaise with clinicians to clarify ambiguous or inconsistent documentation.
• Produce coding quality reports and contribute evidence for DSPT and external audit.
• Provide technical guidance, peer support and mentoring to the coding team.
• Support training and induction in coding standards and audit methodology.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records of coding and audit activity.
• Escalate contentious or borderline cases to the Audit & Data Quality Lead.
• Work with Business Intelligence, Finance and Data Quality teams to resolve coding discrepancies.
• Handle patient information in line with Information Governance, GDPR and Caldicott principles.

Skills

ICD-10 & OPCS-4 coding

Clinical terminology

Auditing processes

Independent coding

Judgement & governance

Coder mentoring

Education

GCSEs 4/C or above

Tools

None

Job description

This senior specialist post sits in the Clinical Coding team at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder re-codes complex inpatient and day-case episodes to national standards, spots recurring errors and documentation gaps, and supplies evidence for the annual audit programme and the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. The role is hybrid, split between Bolton Hospital and home. Applicants need Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status, or Accredited Clinical Coder status with three years' experience and a commitment to gain auditor accreditation within 18 months.

What the job involves

• Re-code selected inpatient and day-case episodes, including complex cases, against ICD-10 and OPCS-4
• Apply agreed audit sampling instructions and methods, contributing to the annual audit plan
• Identify recurring error types, emerging patterns and documentation issues from audit findings
• Liaise with clinicians to clarify ambiguous or inconsistent documentation
• Produce coding quality reports and contribute evidence for DSPT and external audit
• Provide technical guidance, peer support and mentoring to the coding team
• Support training and induction in coding standards and audit methodology
• Maintain accurate, auditable records of coding and audit activity
• Escalate contentious or borderline cases to the Audit & Data Quality Lead
• Work with Business Intelligence, Finance and Data Quality teams to resolve coding discrepancies
• Handle patient information in line with Information Governance, GDPR and Caldicott principles

Qualifications

• Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status, or ACC committed to achieving it within 18 months of appointment
• Clinical Coding Standards course or refresher within the last three years
• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English Language and Maths, or equivalent

Experience

• Significant experience as an Accredited Clinical Coder across a broad range of specialties

Skills & knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 coding standards
• Advanced knowledge of clinical terminology and clinical documentation
• Ability to code independently across all Trust specialties
• Strong understanding of clinical coding and auditing processes
• Sound professional judgement and ability to work independently within an audit framework
• Constructive approach to coder development and clinician engagement

Nice to have

• Proven experience in clinical coding audit, including re-coding of complex cases
• Experience of analysing audit findings and presenting recommendations