Clinical Coder for NHS

[claretandamberforever]

I know this is a long shot but is anyone a clinical coder? Or does anyone know someone who is one.

Somehow I have managed to blag an interview for a trainee coder position. I've looked into what the job entails and I am confident in my ability that I'd be able to do the job.

However there isn't many personal testimonies around on the net, and I'd love to know if people enjoy their job.

Thanks if there is anyone who can help

Hi

Did you get the job?

I have an online aptitude test tomorrow. Any advice or info on what the questions will be and how I should prepare?

thanks in advance

Hi
@yellowtether
Did you get the job?

I have an online aptitude test tomorrow. Any advice or info on what the questions will be and how I should prepare?

thanks in advance

@Hb5 hi, yes I did! My aptitude was in person but was two parts, firstly we had a list of conditions/diseases and had to use the ICD10 to code them. Then we had a few short examples of summarised patient notes and we had to pick out what parts of the notes would be necessary to code. I’d say that’s all to prepare, be aware of what information coders look at in notes

Hi @yellowtether thanks for getting back to me. I passed the test and have now been invited to interview. I am awful at interviews and talking about myself in that way. 🙈

How are you finding the job? I’d really appreciate your insight on it

Hi @Hb5 a lot of trusts do an anatomy test and then a test with the books but I think it varies wherever you go. Good luck.

Just saw you passed the test, good luck again hb

Hi, Yes i'm a qualified Clinical Coder and passed my coding exam in 2005.
Generally, a trainee will need about 2 years learning the ropes, before taking the National Clinical Coding Exam which consists of both theory and practical papers.
Info from medical notes and documents is analysed and entered as alphanumeric codes to a data system, ie; asthma (unspecified) is J45.9.
This is used for cost analysis, health planning, statistics, audit, effectiveness of patient's care and planning and epidemiology studies.
I hope you find it interesting and you'll find that being able to read doctors' handwriting is an essential part of the job! Good luck.

Thank you all! I currently work in pharmacy so I have some practice with doctors handwriting luckily haha @di2004