Medical Secretary/Clinical Coder

Wargrave Surgery; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare practice in Reading is seeking a dedicated Medical Secretary/Clinical Coder to provide comprehensive support in our busy NHS GP practice. You will manage correspondence, ensure the accuracy of patient records, and handle clinical coding using SNOMED CT. A strong understanding of medical terminology and relevant experience in a primary care setting are essential. This role offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to patient care in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a GP practice or primary care setting.
• Strong understanding of medical terminology and clinical coding systems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide efficient secretarial support to clinicians.
• Accurately code clinical information using SNOMED CT.
• Manage correspondence, including referrals and patient letters.

Skills

Organizational skills

Proficiency in EMIS Web

Understanding of medical terminology

Excellent communication skills

Clinical coding knowledge

Education

AMSPAR Medical Secretary Diploma or equivalent

Tools

EMIS Web

SystmOne

Docman

Ardens

Job description

Thisdual role is essential to the smooth running of our clinical operations. Youwill provide efficient secretarial support to our clinicians and ensureaccurate and timel clinical coding of patient records to support QOF, enhancedservices, and data quality initiatives.

Main duties of the job

Medical Secretary Duties

• Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, including referrals, reports, and patient letters
• Liaise with hospitals, community services, and other healthcare providers
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold data protection standards
• Provide comprehensive secretarial support to GPs and other clinicians
• Maintain accurate patient records and uphold confidentiality standards
• Support the practice with administrative tasks including document scanning, coding, and filing

Clinical Coding Duties

• Accurately code clinical information using SNOMED CT
• Assist with audits and data extraction for reporting and improvement
• Accurately code clinical information from GP and hospital correspondence, pathology results, discharge summaries, and consultation notes using SNOMED CT.
• Apply codes to reflect diagnoses, procedures, investigations, and relevant health indicators.
• Ensure coded data supports effective patient recall, disease registers, and reporting tools.
• Work with GPs and clinicians to clarify unclear terminology and ensure accurate record keeping.
• Coordinate and manage all administrative tasks related to death processing.
• Review incoming correspondence and clinical letters, accurately identify any actions required.
• Ensure patient records are accurate, consistent, and updated in a timely manner.

About us

We area small, friendly village practice set in the heart of rural West Berkshire,serving a close-knit patient population of approximately 8,000. Our welcomingand proactive NHS GP practice is committed to delivering high-quality,patient-centred care to our local community. Our multidisciplinaryteamcomprising GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrativestaffworks collaboratively to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery.

Job responsibilities

We areseeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Medical Secretary/Clinical Coder tojoin our team in a busy NHS GP practice. This dual role involves providingcomprehensive secretarial support to clinicians, including managingcorrespondence, referrals, and patient communications, while also ensuringaccurate and timely clinical coding of patient records using Read Codes andSNOMED CT. The successful candidate will play a key part in maintaining dataquality for QOF, IIF, and other performance frameworks, and will liaise withhospitals and community services to support seamless patient care. Strongorganisational skills, proficiency in clinical systems such as EMIS Web orSystmOne, and a sound understanding of medical terminology and coding standardsare essential. Experience in a primary care setting and relevant qualificationssuch as AMSPAR or clinical coding accreditation are highly desirable.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a GP practice or primary care setting
• Strong understanding of medical terminology and clinical coding systems
• Proficiency in EMIS Web or similar clinical systems
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to patient confidentiality and data protection
• Desirable Qualifications
• AMSPAR Medical Secretary Diploma or equivalent
• Knowledge of QOF, IIF, and NHS data requirements

Experience

• Experience in medical administration, clinical coding, and working within a GP practice environment is required.
• Familiarity with EMIS Web (or equivalent clinical systems), NHS referral processes, and an understanding of QOF and SNOMED CT coding standards will be essential to succeed in this role.
• Previous experience working in a GP surgery or primary care setting
• Familiarity with EMIS Web, Docman, Ardens, or similar clinical systems
• Understanding of NHS referral pathways, including e-RS and 2WW processes
• Experience with clinical coding using Read Codes and SNOMED CT
• Knowledge of QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework) and IIF (Investment and Impact Fund)
• AMSPAR Medical Secretary Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Accredited clinical coding training or certification
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary teams in a healthcare environment
• Confidence handling sensitive patient data in line with GDPR and NHS confidentiality standard

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.