We are seeking an experienced Clinical Coding Lead to oversee the strategy, planning, and delivery of high-quality clinical coding services across the organisation. This role ensures compliance with national standards (ICD and OPCS) and supports accurate patient data, performance reporting, and financial flows.
You will lead an operational team of experienced managers and coders, driving excellence, continuous improvement, and professional development. You will also have accountability for the training and improvement function within the service. Responsibilities include overseeing complex coding, leading audit and quality assurance programmes, and ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. You will also support service development, including the adoption of new technologies and AI.
Working with clinicians, operational teams, and information stakeholders, you will provide expert guidance, resolve complex queries, and improve clinical documentation and data quality. You will analyse audit findings, identify trends, and implement targeted improvements, while supporting governance and compliance with audit requirements.
The ideal candidate must be an accredited clinical coder with strong leadership skills and experience, attention to detail, and a passion for data quality and improvement. Experience in automation or AI adoption is highly desirable.
Lead the strategic and operational management of the Group’s Clinical Coding function to maximise coding accuracy, data quality, and income. Ensure timely and consistent application of national standards (ICD, OPCS, HRGs) across patient episodes, supported by robust audit programmes covering completeness, accuracy, and sequencing.
Act as the senior expert on complex coding issues, advising clinicians, managers, and commissioners, and maintaining strong engagement with clinical teams to support data quality and governance requirements. Contribute to clinical governance and audits by ensuring accurate coded data and reviewing patient records where needed.
Oversee departmental performance, including financial management, system optimisation, and workforce planning. Develop KPIs, benchmarking processes, and continuous improvement programmes, including audit, training, and validation with clinicians to enhance coding standards.
Lead strategic planning and ensure coding methodologies evolve with clinical and digital developments. Promote awareness of coding importance through training and engagement, maintain compliance with policies, and ensure audit recommendations are implemented and sustained.
Build effective relationships across divisions and externally, raise the profile of clinical coding, and recruit, develop, and retain a skilled workforce with appropriate succession planning.
The Bristol NHS Foundation Trust will bring together North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust to enable closer collaboration and improved outcomes for patients across the region. Through a shared vision and joint clinical and digital strategies, the organisation is working towards more integrated, efficient and patient‑centred services.
Digital transformation is a critical enabler of this ambition, supporting large-scale service change, clinical pathway redesign and improved operational performance across the Group. You will work at the forefront of strategic decision-making and investment planning, ensuring that digital programmes deliver meaningful, measurable benefits for patients, staff and the wider health system.
This is an opportunity to play a leading role in shaping how digital transformation is delivered across a major NHS Trust.
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
