Senior clinical coder

Band 5 · Clinical coder · 354 job evaluation points

A senior clinical coder codes complex episodes across specialties, acts as a source of expert advice for other coders, and checks and trains less experienced coders.

Responsibilities

Code complex episodes, such as critical care, cancer, multiple procedures, and deaths, across specialties.
Resolve difficult coding questions with consultants and other senior clinicians, explaining coding rules clearly.
Check the work of trainee coders and give them feedback and on-the-job training.
Validate coded data before it is submitted and fix errors with the right team.
Work with clinical teams to improve the quality of clinical documentation.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Clinical codingThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: code complex episodes across specialties audit coding quality and train coders
Clinical terminology and classificationThis reference	Working (2)	You can: find and use the right codes for a data item or form use terminology browsers and reference sets
Health records managementThis reference	Working (2)	You can: process requests for access to records apply retention schedules and record-keeping standards
Data quality managementThis reference	Working (2)	You can: run data quality checks and correct errors explain data quality reports to colleagues
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Working (2)	You can: apply data protection principles to your work contribute to data protection impact assessments handle information requests and records correctly
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Working (2)	You can: explain the clinical and care workflows your work supports use common health care terms correctly with clinical and care colleagues recognise when a change could affect patient care and raise it
Communicating informationUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: listen to the needs of design and business stakeholders and interpret information take part in discussions within a multidisciplinary team be an advocate for the team externally, and can manage differing perspectives shape and share communications relevant to the audience
People managementThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the organisation's people policies that affect you support new colleagues and share knowledge

Typical qualifications and experience

A recognised clinical coding qualification, or equivalent experience.
Experience of coding complex episodes across a range of specialties.

Band 5 outline

Knowledge: Professional or technical knowledge, typically from a degree or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works to broad objectives within professional standards; plans own work.
Scope: Own professional work within a team or product.
Leadership: May guide and check the work of support staff and apprentices.
Accountability: Quality of own professional work.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	4	Gives complex, sensitive, or contentious information needing persuasion, negotiation, or training skills, or highly complex information.	32
Knowledge, training, and experience	5	Expertise in a specialism, underpinned by theory or practical experience (degree level or equivalent).	120
Analytical and judgemental skills	4	Judgements on complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.	42
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	2	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.	12
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	2	Supervises or coordinates staff day to day, trains others regularly, or gives basic HR advice.	12
Responsibility for information resources	3	Takes formal minutes, regularly writes reports or queries, or maintains information systems as a significant duty.	16
Responsibility for research and development	1	Carries out surveys or audits for own work; occasionally takes part in research or testing.	5
Freedom to act	3	Follows defined policies and procedures; work is managed rather than supervised.	21
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	4	Frequent prolonged concentration, or occasional intense concentration.	18
Emotional effort	2	Occasional exposure, or frequent indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	11
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 5: 326 to 395)			354

Emotional effort stays at level 2, as complex episodes such as deaths and cancer care are a regular part of the work.