Clinical Coding Qualified Auditor

Audit and Oversight

The post holder undertakes re-coding of selected inpatient and day-case episodes, including complex cases, applying advanced knowledge of ICD-10, OPCS-4, and the National Clinical Coding Standards. They work within agreed audit sampling instructions and methodologies, identifying recurring error types, emerging patterns, and documentation issues across allocated specialties. Findings are translated into actionable insights to support coder development, documentation improvement, and Trust-wide data quality. Contentious or borderline cases are escalated to the Audit & Data Quality Lead in line with agreed procedures.

Clinical Engagement

The post holder liaises with clinicians and specialty teams to clarify ambiguous, incomplete, or inconsistent documentation, presenting audit findings under the supervision of the Audit & Data Quality Lead where required. The post holder contributes coding insights to documentation improvement projects and supports the development of local documentation standards, cultivating constructive working relationships with specialty teams.

Data Quality and Reporting

The post holder produces coding quality reports and summaries for Divisional and Trust use, working with Business Intelligence, Finance, and Data Quality teams as required to resolve coding discrepancies. The role contributes to the preparation of evidence for the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) and external audit activity, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and traceability of audit records.

Training, Development and Mentoring

The post holder provides technical guidance and peer support to the Clinical Coding team, contributing to the induction and ongoing development of new coders. Audit trends and findings are presented in coding team meetings to support continuous professional development. The post holder participates in peer review, coding consistency exercises, and lessons-learned activities, and supports the identification of training needs from audit outcomes.

Governance and Compliance

All coding and audit activities are undertaken in line with ICD-10/OPCS-4 standards, Trust SOPs, and national coding guidance. The post holder handles patient information in accordance with Information Governance, GDPR, DSPT, and Caldicott principles, and maintains version-controlled audit documents and evidence sets to support secure retention and accurate record-keeping.

Development Pathway

Candidates may apply having already attained Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status. Where the post is appointed to an Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) with at least three years' post-accreditation experience, the post holder will be supported to attain Approved Clinical Coding Auditor status within an 18-month development period from appointment, with mentoring and structured support from the senior coding team.