Any clinical coders out there

Sncjw

Hi everyone.

Are there any clinical coders out there. If so does the job involve listening to doctors audio tapes or any audio related tasks. The reason I'm asking is because I'm deaf so audio related tasks aren't good for me.

Many thanks

xapprenticex

Yes i believe so, i wanted to get into this many years ago but couldnt find a way in. Really helps if you 'know' someone.

Sncjw

There's a trainee post going. Wanted to make sure it was suitable

agrinnall

This article on the job in the Guardian refers mainly to working with written reports, but the bit towards the end in the mortuary seems to suggest that notes were taken from an oral report by the coroner. Would it be possible for you to make an informal query before submitting your application?

https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2015/jul/17/clinical-coder-like-being-detective-nhs

Sncjw

I have emailed them to ask. Just thought to ask here as well

Limepie_2

Hi. I have been working as a clinical coder for the last 9 years. I am fully ACC qualified and have worked with members of 4 different hospital trusts. None of these trusts use audio tapes for coding. I hope that helps.

I love my job and find it very interesting. If you become a coder and sit the ACC exam and gain that qualification, it opens many doors for contract work with very good daily rates of pay too.

Gingernutty

It's not audio typing although face to face and telephone conversations are commonplace.

A clinical coder reads patient notes and, using complex indices, converts diagnoses and treatments into codes which are used to generate money from central government and commisioning care groups, generates statistical information which informs local and central government as to the state of the nation and helps them form health atrategies for the future.

It's an immensely responsible role and you can be under immense pressure to reduce the number of hospital related ailments/death codes (see Stafford) or as the Guardian article hints at pressure from doctors and consultants to code 'for the money' ie commit fraud in order to help balance the books.

There are complex rules and procedures to pay heed to and these are updated on a monthly basis.

Once qualified, the opportunity to go freelance or sign up to an agency can prove very lucrative.

Sncjw

Thanks everyone o think I'm going to leave it st the moment as I was in limbo if I could an nvq course with the trust. Been waiting 18 months to get a place on it. Want to complete that before going elsewhere. I can't go and do medical secretary work due to audio typing so anything to get me up will help.

xapprenticex

good luck, hard work will pay off

Sncjw

Thank you. I dont want to put too much on my plate. I rather do one then wait to do the other that's even if I got the job.