Advice on becoming a Clinical Coder

[Whyoohwhyohwhyyyy]

Hello, I wondered if there's anyone on here who could offer advice on becoming a clinical coder please?

I've had a 4 year break from work since having my children and I'm now looking for a total career change! Clinical coding sounds really interesting, however I don't have a medical background whatsoever (I worked in recruitment for most of my career).

From what I've read online I understand I'll need to do some studying to stand a chance of getting a trainee role. I've read that the AMSPAR medical terminology course would be a good place to start. Can anyone advise whether I would need the level 2 award or level 3 certificate? And are there any other courses that I should look at?

When doing some research I've come across apprenticeships, has anyone else taken this route? It seems like a very difficult role to secure without experience, even the trainee roles.

I'd really welcome any advice at all if anyone can help!

Thanks so much

Anyone?

Hi OP. I've done clinical coding in a GP surgery before, is that what you mean? No studying as such required but trained on the job. From experience, they usually ask within the workplace if anyone is interested in being trained up. I work as a patient navigator and in my previous workplace, most of the new patient navigators were trained on clinical coding so that we could do half a day patient facing, the other half coding. At my current workplace, 2 out of the 3 clinical coders started as patient navigators. I would just apply (if there are any available) or if you'd be open, I'd suggest searching for patient navigator, reception or care coordinator roles which you can then express your interest and maybe be trained up? Happy to answer any questions you may have

Is this because of the thread yesterday about earning £100,000, working from home, 9 to 5? That was an American woman who said she did medical coding.

I wondered the same. I think others said while similar roles exist in the UK it’s nowhere near as lucrative.

If you are UK based clinical coding gets about £25K. And training is provided on the job by the NHS.

@katem98 Thank you, that's really useful! Yes I'm interested in either primary or secondary care positions. I've read on various forums that the positions usually go to internal applicants so just trying to figure out how to give myself the best chance. I'll definitely take a look at the other roles you mentioned!

Can I ask if there's much difference between doing the role in a GP surgery and a hospital?

@determinedtomakethiswork Yes I did read that thread last night and it got me thinking! I do understand that the pay would be starting around £22k in the UK and I'd be happy with that since it's a total career change for me.

Used to manage the clinical coders as part of medical records in NHS hospitals, they'll also be in private hospitals, GP surgeries too. £25k sounds about right certainly for the NHS. Can include other aspects of medical records work as well

It was all training on the job, although interested to hear there are now qualifications

It's not really a career it's a job you do as part of the admin team for minimum wage or just over.

@Hourlyglasshalffull Oh really? Is there no opportunity for progression at all?

@Whyoohwhyohwhyyyy Not a problem . I haven't personally done coding for a hospital, only GP surgeries so wouldn't be able to compare unfortunately. I'd imagine that the hospital roles are less relaxed and more fast paced. The GP surgeries were great in terms of sharing workload, small close teams and probably more flexible timeframes.

Do agree with @Hourlyglasshalffull though. Not much money to be made and I only did part time hours which suited around childcare. The ladies in the team now do it to suit looking after grandchildren and the other does it alongside a reception job in the same surgery.

@DPotter It's the AMSPAR medical terminology course that has been mentioned a few times on other forums for people like me with no NHS experience

@Whyoohwhyohwhyyyy I did that course and if I'm honest, probably not fully worth it if you intend to pay for it yourself. It won't teach you anything more than what you're able to internet search yourself. My workplace put me on the course which was fine but not wholly necessary. You do just catch on to medical abbreviations with time.

OK I'm a bit out of date but basically clinical coding is a part of the medical records function. usually just a small team of people, one of whom could have a supervisory role but we're talking a team of 4-6 people in a general hospital. The only progression would be in medical records which although pretty fundamental to the running of any health organisation is definitely a Cinderella department.

Just checked on ol' internet and this came up -
https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9430-24-0031

@katem98 Thank you, that's interesting! The level 3 is £470 so it's a decent chunk of money.

Are there any other ways to strengthen my application/CV or is it enough to say that I've done my own Internet based research?

@Whyoohwhyohwhyyyy I would just express that although you have no experience, you're keen to learn and like a challenge Most/ all of the training is given on the job in my experience so I really don't see the experience aspect being a problem. Good luck!

Clinical coders in gp practices are near minimum wage and training is usually on the job.

Definitely not in a gp surgery.

Whilst clinical coding has no real direct career progression except that of team leader or supervisor, it’s a solid administrative foundation to have in the NHS which you could then move into other admin and management roles following that experience: med secretaries and bookings clerks/admission officers are usually band 3/4, then they often have supervisors and office managers at 4s/5s. Rota managers/pathway validators/mdt coordinator could be up to band 6, then other operational/performance roles from 6 to 8b. Alternatively transformation and project management, quality improvement, communications, patient experience, governance etc etc.

Broad range of NHS administrative roles could open up to after a stint in coding. But if you’re looked for >£100k a year as non-clinical, you’re talking executive level roles.

i started as a receptionist and domestic cleaner in theatres as a band 2, 10 years later im an 8b in operational management!

Thank you everyone for your advice, this had been so helpful!

@Catsonskis Wow that's amazing to hear your story! And really useful info - thank you.

I'm early 40s so feel like it's now or never to make a change and I definitely don't want to go back to recruitment. After being at home for 4 years I have nothing to lose by taking a low salary, so think I'll look at the hospital roles!

Go for it, OP. Coding is a very fundamental function as it's how NHS trusts get reimbursed for their activities. I work in a team of about 20 and it's not "just an admin job you do for minimum wage". Hospital coding is highly pressured as work is done to strict deadlines and also heavily audited. It's not an easy job, takes a lot of personal study and learning.

For the NHS and without coding experience, you would need to start out as a trainee. Depending on where you are, most trainees start on a band 3/4. There are opportunities for career progression but this happens after sitting a national qualification exam and becoming accredited. Roles post-accreditation are at band 5/6. Most trusts also boost the pay with recruitment premiums as roles can be hard to fill. In London, specialist coders could earn north of £50k. Most openings these days are remote/hybrid.

There are other pathways post qualification, e.g independent contracting, going into supervisory/management roles, audits, training, quality assurance, working in the classifications service - some of these go as high up as band 8. It's an interesting role where you learn everyday and there are certainly opportunities for progression. How do i know? It's my career and I've certainly progressed through it.

Hi @Maiden010 don't know if you'll pick this up, I've only just come across this thread. I have been researching this role recently and scanning the NHS job page waiting for trainee openings in my local trusts. Could you give me a little insight into your route into the role please? Also, do you happen to know how regularly the trainee schemes open up? Even on a national search the jobs seem to be rare. Is there a different, even if less direct route through? Thank you!

This thread has me rolling. If you think this job is a breeze you’re in for a shock!

This is exactly the sort of job that AI will render redundant. It’s not something I’d be looking to start now.

@Smellz714 Not the poster you’re asking for, but it will be a trainee role, they don’t come up often. There isn’t a different route. I suppose you could apply for a support role in the department for a less direct way in.