Trainee Clinical Coder

NHS; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Dorchester is looking for a Trainee Clinical Coder to join their team. This role involves extracting and coding clinical information while working towards accreditation. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills and attention to detail, alongside a commitment to improving patient outcomes. The position offers a yearly salary of £24,937–£26,598, with flexible working patterns and is part of a supportive, diverse environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive team environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Understanding of clinical coding processes is desirable.
• Experience in working to KPIs is important.
• Ability to apply national standards across different coding scenarios.

Responsibilities

• Extract and translate inpatient information using coding classifications.
• Work towards becoming an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC).
• Interact with clinicians and operational staff regarding clinical information.

Skills

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

Attention to detail

Good communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

GCSE maths and English (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Clinical IT systems

Job description

Job Summary

We are rapidly expanding, currently seeking a Trainee Clinical Coder to join our growing and innovative team at an acute hospital within the NHS. This is an exciting new post in our cohesive and established team. We are seeking a confident and passionate individual who thrives on change and wants to make a difference to the outcomes of our patients and staff. Detailed working knowledge of the Dorset health and care system is desirable, however not essential.

Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP)*

Payment payable.

* This post will attract an RRP payment of 7.73% of annual salary for year one and 5.61% for year two.

Main Duties

The Clinical Coding Team is responsible for the extraction and translation of inpatient information using the ICD-10 and OPCS-4 Coding Classifications, following and in keeping with the well-defined national coding standards. This information is essential for the effective management of the Trust and crucial to the National tariff Payment System that underpins Trust income. Coded data is also important for clinical audit, governance and research.

As a Trainee Clinical Coder, you will learn how to make judgements on clinical information requiring interpretation and compare options from information provided electronically and in paper-based health records. Clinical Coders have a crucial role in the provision of mandatory data for information, financial and reporting purposes both at local and national level. The post holder will be expected to work towards becoming an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) through completion of the National Clinical Coding Qualification. As part of the role of the post-holder is expected to interact with clinicians, operational staff and have responsibility for own workload whilst maintaining accurate clinical coding quality.

About Dorset County Hospital

At Dorset County Hospital (DCH) we aspire to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them. Our trust strategy is focussed on three strategic goals: People, Place, and Partnership. It signals our intention to truly value our staff. Our people are our most important asset, and we want them to feel valued, welcomed, respected, they belong and matter. We recognise the link between high levels of staff satisfaction and improving patient experience and outcomes.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Dorset County Hospital has a number of employees from overseas delivering high quality services and we recognise the value of diversity in leadership. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented at Board level.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.

Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Details

Date posted: 15 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 405-26-AC020TCC

Job Locations

South Walks House

South Walks

Dorchester

DT1 1UZ

Job Responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at [e-mail] if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

• GCSE maths and English (or equivalent evidence of numeracy and literacy).

Desirable

• Understanding the purpose of clinical coding and knowledge of the processes involved.

Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and medical terminologies
• Knowledge of clinical coding rules and conventions.
• Experience of working to targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Desirable

• An understanding of the information flows in the NHS.
• Experience of working with clinicians to improve data quality.
• Experience of working to challenging and tight deadlines, both individually and as a team.
• Use of patient administration systems and associated clinical coding applications/encoder systems.
• Experience of using both paper records and electronic records to extract clinical information for the purpose of clinical coding.

Skills & Abilities

• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with other members of staff in a professional and effective manner.
• Ability to work to strict deadlines within defined policies and procedures.
• Ability to apply national standards and local coding policies across a wide range of specialities and coding scenarios.
• Able to maintain a working knowledge of local policies and national standards as they change and/or develop.
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to relay coding information to other clinical coding, operational staff and clinicians.
• Be confident in the use of clinical IT systems and interrogating electronic patient records to abstract information for clinical coding.
• Confident in the use of Microsoft Office applications and other relevant IT software packages required.

Desirable

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Ability to self‑motivate and to make appropriate judgments about when to seek guidance.
• Problem solving skills and an ability to practically apply clinical codes to coding scenarios.
• Ability to work to demanding timescales and at times changing deadlines.
• Work efficiently as an individual and as part of a team.
• Able to work flexibly across teams and specialities within the department.

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.

Employer Details

Employer name: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: South Walks House, South Walks, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ

Website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/