Annex - Training for clinical coding (only)

Clinical coding has a set standard for the time frames and levels of training required.

Only those already employed as clinical coders within an NHS trust or an independent sector treatment centre, or clinical coders who have previously passed the Clinical Coding Standards Course (CCSC) and are working as contract clinical coders, are entitled to attend national clinical coding training courses. Contract clinical coders will not necessarily be in employment at the time of attendance on a course such as the Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course (CCSRC).

The training given must use material that conforms to National Clinical Coding Standards and applies to both classroom-based and online delivery formats. The CCSC is delivered in no less than 21 days duration for an acute trust coder and 3 days for a mental health trust coder.

Attendance on the CCSC must start within 6 months of commencing employment as a clinical coder in an NHS trust or other organisation responsible for coding inpatient NHS activity. Relevant staff must attend CCSRC, or Mental Health Clinical Coding Standards Refresher Course training, every 3 years thereafter¹.

Further information can be found in the National Clinical Coding Training Handbook and in the Clinical Coding Training section of the Publications and Resources page on Delen, the information sharing and collaboration platform for users of our Terminology and Classifications products. Here you can access up-to-date information, resources, educational materials and technical support relating to our core products.

It is essential that all staff, including clinicians, who code using ICD-10 codes (and OPCS-4 codes where systems allow) are trained in the basics of clinical coding by attending the appropriate Clinical Coding Standards and Standards Refresher Courses as developed by the Terminology and Classifications Delivery Service.

The training may be provided by the organisation itself, as part of a local clinical coding consortium or by independent/commercial approved clinical coding trainers. The training must be delivered by a NHS England approved clinical coding trainer in accordance with the Approved Trainer Requirements Framework and licence agreement using only materials developed by the Terminology and Classifications Delivery Service as well as other materials developed in accordance with National Clinical Coding Standards.

Furthermore, the organisation should provide a training and assessment framework which supports its clinical coders in gaining Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) status by passing the National Clinical Coding Qualification (NCCQ) (UK). This is a marker of good practice and, in so doing, the organisation demonstrates due recognition of the professional status of clinical coding.