Clinical Coder Grade V

Post Title:

Clinical Coder Grade V

Post Status:

Temporary Specified Purpose Contract Maternity Leave Cover

A panel may be formed from which future Permanent and SPC vacancies will be filled.

Department

HIPE Department

Location:

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 

Reports to:

Clinical Coding Manager

Salary:

Appointment will be made on Grade V salary scale (€51,206 - €61,253) at a point in line with Government pay policy. 

Hours of work: 

Full-Time 35 hours per week

Closing Date:

12 noon on 4/7/2025

Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.

The Clinical Coding Department is responsible for analysing and abstracting all inpatient and daycase activity, within the acute healthcare setting, utilising the ICD-10-AM coding classification.  This data must be captured accurately and efficiently on the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry System (HIPE), ensuring adherence with national coding deadlines.  The purpose of this department is to provide assurances that all clinical activity is recorded within the standardised controls and procedures operated in accordance with international best practice, and the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO). 

The HIPE database is multifunctional, including:

• Underpins the Activity Based Funding (ABF) model
• Operational and service provision decision making
• Clinical audit and analysis
• Epidemiological study
• Underpins the National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) programmes
• Key Performance Indicators and Hospital Metrics monitoring.

The work in this role is diverse and involves interaction with all services in the hospital setting.  Close liaison with Clinicians, Management, Administrative Staff and Nursing all enhance the role and allows the post holder to ensure that the HIPE database gives an accurate reflection of the hospital inpatient and day case activity.  Interaction with national bodies, i.e. HPO, NOCA, Special Delivery Unit (SDU) and other external software providers, is also a large factor in the post.

Operations

• Ensure timely and accurate coding of all discharges in line with ASC and ICS Clinical Coding Standards within the allocated deadlines.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency and completeness using all quality control tools available, including HCAT, Checker and PICQ to validate data quality. 
• Correction of all coding queries returned to the Hospital from the HPO and PICQ.
• Validation and reconciliation of daily downloads and patient information systems.
• Work closely with Hospital on any data quality improvement measures including, HCAT audits, round table audits and training workshops.
• Attending training courses/workshops locally led or within the HPO, virtually or in person ensuring awareness of any developments within clinical coding classifications.
• Undertake training based on the feedback of audit both internal and external of the HIPE team.
• Assist and support the induction, training and support of new coders.
• Generation of regular and ad hoc reports from HIPE Reporter as and when required in conjunction with the Clinical Coding Manager.
• Maintain effective communication with Clinical Coding Manager and Team.
• In conjunction with the Clinical Coding Manager identify areas for improvement including but not exclusive to

• Appropriate data collection of hospital activity in line with HPO guidelines.
• Chart path flow
• Documentation quality

• Keeping up to date with all circulars relating to coding practices and ensuring that any recommendations are implemented.
• Providing cross cover during holiday and or other leave in the Department.
• Individual responsibility to ensure the confidentiality of patient data is maintained at all times in line with GDPR and local data protection policies.
• Liaising with

• Colleagues on the Clinical Coding team in order to ensure the complete and timely collection of all data.
• HPO to address any data or activity queries.
• IT Department to ensure efficient operation of the HIPE software.
• Medical records, medical secretaries and individual teams concerning any difficulties with clinical documentation relating to coding queries.
• Clinicians, nurses and hospital management developing awareness and high quality data that can underpin ABF, clinical audit, financial and service provision analysis.

• Embrace change and implement any new initiatives that would enhance the HIPE Clinical Coding function to ensure accuracy and completeness of data coded in conjunction with colleagues.
• Any other duties with regard to the office as may be assigned from time to time.

Communications

• To understand and be able to explain the importance of HIPE data and its impact on ABF.
• To facilitate clear discussions with the Clinical Coding Manager /RCSI Hospital Group Clinical Coding Manager, hospital personnel, including clinicians and external bodies such as HPO/NOCA on matters regarding HIPE.

Learning and Education

• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research.
• Participate in relevant QI Training
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.

Quality Improvement and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
• Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the organisation.
• Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
• Participate in the requirements of the organisation’s risk management programme.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients.
• Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to organisation’s policies, protocols and guidelines.

Post Specific Requirements

Hold the following Professional Qualifications and Experience:

• Demonstrate experience in the understanding and application of Medical Terminology.
• Demonstrate experience and ability to navigate and extract information via the Healthcare Record, including associated electronic systems.
• Demonstrate broad administrative experience and multidisciplinary engagement within an acute hospital setting at an operational level.
• Demonstrate experience in managing and prioritising workloads, and adhering to strict deadlines.
• Demonstrate flexibility in delivering service requirements.

Desirable Criteria

• Significant experience of clinical coding including working in a hospital setting with practical coding experience e.g. extraction of appropriate information from charts and application of clinical codes from a recognised clinical coding scheme e.g. ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS.
• Knowledge of the HIPE portal and its functions, including HCAT and the HIPE Reporter.
• Evidence of attending on-going clinical coding training courses up to specialist level e.g. certification or confirmation of attendance at coding courses required.
• Certification in Clinical Coding
• HIMMA certification in Clinical Coding
• Demonstrate experience in applying ICD-10-AM classification
• Understanding of the link between HIPE and Activity Based Funding. 
• Experience working in a hospital enviroment
• A flexible approach to working hours is required in order to ensure deadlines are met.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Enquiries email address)

Name:

   Niamh Lynch  

Title:

   Deputy Director of Finance & Procurement

Email address:

   niamhlynch@beaumont.ie