Is anyone here a clinical coder?

[Admingirl1]

Hi :)

I currently work in the NHS in admin as a supervisor but I would like a change and I have applied for a job as a Trainee Clinical Coder.
I am really hoping that I get an interview!
Please can anyone give me any tips on the interview questions that might be asked or anything that I need to know about the job?
I am going to revise anatomy and physiology for the interview in case I get any questions.

Thanks :)

Something I would fancy doing but I don't want to work full time and the trusts around me only want full time staff. It would be very interesting

Knowing anatomy is a must, study and memorise all systems eg skeletal, respiratory etc. Also medical terminology you need to have a basic grasp so know the definition of what prefix, suffix, co-morbidities mean. Another interview question they like to ask is other than finance how is coding important so you need to know that it can be used to know that it is used in data analysis for pandemics, it is a used to accurately document primary and secondary diagnosis, treatment, primary and secondary procedures.

Hope this helps a little x

Definitely some anatomy. I’ve worked at 2 different trusts as a coder. One I had written questions to do, another they just asked me a few questions as part of the interview.

You might get questions about working to deadlines and being under pressure, accuracy, working with colleagues- we sometimes have to raise queries with clinicians etc, patient confidentiality. Working in the NHS I am sure you have many of the skills already.

Thank you, that's really helpful! x

Thank you, that helps a lot! What sort of anatomical terms would you need to know? :) I have a lot of NHS experience but I want to revise anatomy/physiology for the interview.

My partner is a clinical coder. They've said you shouldn't get asked any anatomy etc questions unless you're an accredited clinical coder and certainly not for a trainee post.

I remember getting asked to name the parts of the small intestine. I can’t remember what else but I wouldn’t study too in depth. Good luck!

Thank you! That helps a lot :)

They’ll usually want a science/biology A level or higher usually if you don’t have experience in anatomy/physiology. I agree with pp, a good one to look up is what the coding underpins so revenue protection, trust data on local and national level. It’s an important job that trusts/national health agencies use to prepare/gather info also. Good luck!

I agree you won’t be expected to know all about human body. You’ll learn that as you go along and part of your revision for the ACC exam, which won’t be for a few years down the line. It’s all about being organised, attention to detail, long spells of concentration- those skills are what’s needed in the beginning. I started off as admin in NHS now qualified coder it’s great!

Sorry I have to disagree, you’d struggle without some kind of anatomy/physiology knowledge and it’s actually a bone of contention in the field due to coding errors because of that reason.

Sorry don’t mean to be negative op, good luck, it’s a job to go into with open eyes though.

Thank you, that's helpful! I don't know much anatomy at the minute as it's not needed for my current job but I have started learning a few basic terms :) I'm just worried that there might be an anatomy/physiology test before the interview.

Thanks! That's fine:) I don't know much about anatomy and physiology at the moment but I've started to learn a bit.

Thank you! That's helpful :)