Trainee Clinical Coder

Somerset Nhs Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Blue Light Card benefits

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Trainee Clinical Coder to develop into an ACC Qualified Clinical Coder. The role includes undertaking the Clinical Coding Standards Course and working with medical records to extract and code data using ICD-10 and OPCS 4.

The post holder will study NCCQ, with dedicated training time in work hours and expected study outside work. A pre-interview test will assess anatomy, physiology and terminology aptitude.

Qualifications

• English language and Maths GCSE or equivalent.
• Human biology qualification or equivalent.
• Willingness and ability to undertake further study in their own time.

Responsibilities

• Undertakes the Clinical Coding Standards Course fundamental to the role.
• Develops and maintains practical coding skills and theoretical knowledge in encoding schemes.
• Follows national and local policy for encoding schemes and reports non-compliance.
• Liaises with Trust staff to collect complete, accurate data and supports department targets.
• Organises work to meet deadlines and study for NCCQ.
• Analyses and abstracts information from notes and clinical systems and translates into ICD-10 and OPCS 4 codes.
• Enters encoded data accurately and reviews screens for errors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organisation

Communication

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Biology qualification (O/GCSE/A-level)

Willingness to undertake further study

Tools

Clinical coding IT systems

Job description

Job summary

The Trainee Clinical Coder is the entry level position for development into an ACC Qualified Clinical Coder. The Post holder will undertake the Clinical Coding Standards Course to become an ACC Clinical Coder. The post holder is responsible for extracting clinical information from the Medical record of care, either in paper format or from the electronic patient information systems.

The post holder takes responsibility for their own professional development to obtain the necessary skills to progress through to professional accreditation status. They must apply clinical codes whilst adhering to required National standards, local policies and meet the monthly coding deadline. The post holder will engage with the internal coding audit programme and ensure that all audit recommendations are actioned.

This role provides you with the opportunity to study towards the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ) and become an Accredited Clinical Coder. Passing the NCCQ is required for career progression to the next band. We will support you by providing various training sessions in work time, but please be aware that there will be an expectation that you will allow time outside of work for study. NHS England recommend that 2-4 hours of study time per week is needed to adequately prepare for the NCCQ.

You will be asked to sit a 30min pre interview test consisting of basic anatomy & physiology and clinical terminology, effectively testing your aptitude to perform the role of a Clinical Coder.

Main duties of the job

• Undertakes the Clinical Coding Standards Course that is fundamental to this role.
• Develops and maintain practical coding skills and theoretical knowledge relating to the use of the encoding schemes. This will require a range of formal internal and external specialist training.
• Ensures that national and local policies that govern the use of the encoding schemes are followed and implemented throughout the department and to report instances where policies have not been followed.
• Liaises with Trust staff in order to achieve the collection of complete and accurate data and works closely with department colleagues to ensure that departmental objectives and targets are achieved.
• Organises own work in order to ensure that individual deadlines and objectives are met and organises own study schedule to follow on from the Clinical Coding Standards Course to work towards taking the National Clinical Coding Qualification.
• Analyses and abstracts appropriate information from a range of information sources e.g. case notes, clinical systems, histopathology reports and accurately translates clinical information into a statistical code using the encoding schemes ICD-10 and OPCS 4.
• Enters encoded data on to a computer system correctly. This will require the ability to be able to review a completed screen of data and identify errors such as incorrectly typed prefix, reversed characters, mistyped numerals etc

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-PU-6077

Qualifications - Essential

• English language and Maths GCSE or equivalent
• Human biology O'level, A'Level, GCSE
• Relevant work-based experience
• Evidence of a willingness and ability to undertake further study in their own time.
• Commitment to undertake the required Clinical Coding Standards training and associated assessments.

Qualifications - Desirable

• Evidence of recent further education or workplace-based learning.
• Qualification in a healthcare, science, administration, information or related subject.
• Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology qualification or relevant previous study

Experience - Essential

• Competent in the use of computer-based systems
• Ability to extract and analyse relevant information
• Ability to use initiative and be proactive to achieve deadlines.
• Ability to discuss cases and examples whilst maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to liaise and communicate appropriately with a range of hospital personnel
• Ability to organise own work
• Ability to work under pressure
• Willingness and aptitude to develop knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and clinical conditions.

Experience - Desirable

• Relevant IT or data-processing qualification.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.
• Awareness of Clinical Coding and its role within healthcare.
• Awareness of ICD and OPCS classifications.
• Experience of working in a health and social care environment.
• Awareness of information governance and confidentiality requirements within a healthcare environment.
• Understanding of healthcare/medical records and clinical documentation
• Motivated to achieve deadlines to assist with departmental requirements

Additional Criteria - Essential

• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret detailed and sometimes complex information.
• Ability to organise own work
• Attention to detail
• Ability to act on own initiative in accordance with the limitations of the role
• Demonstrates a professional and responsible approach to work.
• Willingness to undertake structured training, self-directed learning and ongoing assessment.
• Receptive to coaching, supervision and constructive feedback.
• Able to recognise own limitations and seek guidance appropriately.
• Demonstrates initiative while working within the boundaries of their level of competence.
• Reliable, organised and able to manage competing priorities.

Additional Criteria - Desirable

• Previous experience of analysing, interpreting or extracting information from complex records, documentation or datasets.
• Motivated and enthusiastic with a genuine commitment to developing a career in Clinical Coding

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: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Musgrove Park Hospital, Musgrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Coding Team Leader & Trainee Trainer, Jake Viney, [e-mail]