Position overview

The Decision Support Unit (DSU) is led by an Executive Group Manager reporting to the Chief Finance Officer within Canberra Health Services (CHS).
The DSU’s role includes:

• Promoting accountability to achieve strategic goals and building organisational capability to align Activity Based Funding (ABF) and Operational Planning
• provision of ICT Services for CHS
• provision of data quality
• provision of Health Information Services
• supporting the efficient use of the Digital Health Record (informatics) and providing the liaison point between CHS and the DHR provider.
• provision of decision support services to enable operational and non-operational planning and quality reporting.

Clinical coding is an essential function for Canberra Health Services to facilitate accurate funding reimbursement, to support clinical research and education, to assist in the planning and evaluation of health care services, and to fulfil local and mandatory national data submission requirements.

Under general direction, you will be responsible for timely and accurate inpatient coding. This involves abstracting information from the Digital Health Record (DHR) and assigning codes in accordance with established standards and procedures. Your coding will directly contribute to the generation of appropriate Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs), and you will support optimising coding throughput, meeting performance targets, and participating in coding quality improvement activities.

Clinical coding level 1 increment levels will be assessed based on the CHS Coder Competencies - Canberra Hospital (tertiary). Progression through these levels will be determined by a coder’s demonstrated proficiency in the core competency areas outlined in the CHS Coder Competency Framework. This includes, in particular, performance in coding and DRG accuracy as well as coding throughput.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Clinical Coding Manager you will:

1. Extract relevant information from clinical records and assign complete and accurate codes using the current edition of ICD-10-AM and ACHI, in accordance with Australian Coding Standards.
2. Use encoder software to group coded data via the AR-DRG Grouper and validate the accuracy of DRG allocation, cost weight, and length of stay for coded episodes.
3. Ensure completeness of records and accuracy of documentation for coding purposes and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals as required. Identify discrepancies in admitted patient activity data and provide feedback through appropriate channels.
4. Optimise coding throughput (minimum of three records per hour) and maintain quality while meeting submission deadlines and coding key performance indicators.
5. Participate in random and specialty-specific re-coding audits and coding quality improvement activities.
6. Maintain coding skills and advanced knowledge of clinical disease processes, diagnostic terminology, and procedural language through ongoing education, including attendance at educational sessions and coding meetings, research, and review of current coding and health-related literature.
7. Ensure the provision of appropriate clinical information in accordance with statutory requirements (e.g., Cancer Notification).
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this classification level that contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Ability working in a multi-disciplined team environment and supporting and contributing to a healthy workplace that embraces diversity and encourages collaborative teamwork.
• Complies with all the applicable regulatory and legislative requirements set out for such a role in a changing work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to and prioritise competing demands within required timeframes, while maintaining high professional standards and delivering work efficiently and accurately.

Qualifications

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Completion of an approved HIMAA clinical coding certificate course or equivalent.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A minimum of three years clinical coding experience using the current edition of ICD-10-AM in an acute hospital.

Desirable

• Three years clinical coding experience in an acute tertiary hospital facility.
• Ability to accurately code an average of 3-4 records per hour.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Extensive knowledge of clinical coding practices and Australian Coding Standards, with advanced coding skills using the current edition of ICD-10-AM and ACHI. Recent hospital coding experience across a broad range of tertiary hospital casemix, with a demonstrated ability to code accurately and efficiently, is essential.
2. Strong understanding of Activity Based Funding, Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs), and casemix, supported by highly developed knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, clinical disease processes, and pharmacology.
3. Proficient computing skills, including experience with MS Office, hospital information systems, and encoder software.
4. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment, maintain high levels of coding accuracy, and manage priorities to meet internal and external deadlines and performance targets, while reporting responsibly.
5. Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality standards, including Work Health and Safety (WH&S) and enhancing the patient experience. Exhibits behaviours aligned with CHS values: reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.