The National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) (NCCQ) is a professional examination for clinical coders working in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. Currently, it is the only clinical coding qualification recognised by the

NHS The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " ...

. Having the NCCQ is a requirement of being admitted to the National Clinical Coding Trainer and Auditor Programmes run by

NHS Digital NHS Digital is the trading name of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, which is the national provider of information, data and IT systems for commissioners, analysts and clinicians in health and social care in England, particularly th ...

. In order for an acute trust to obtain level 2 of the Information Governance Toolkit (IGT) requirement 510, they are expected to support coding staff in attaining the NCCQ. Upon passing the examination a clinical coder is awarded the designation Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC).

Development

In 1998 the Chief Executive of the former NHS Centre for Coding and Classifications (NHS CCC) initiated work to establish a national clinical coding qualification appropriate for the NHS. The NHS CCC developed a prototype assessment with results reported at the end of February 1998. On 10 March 1998, the NHS CCC hosted a workshop with educational organisations and other stakeholders to define the objectives of a qualification, scope of the syllabus, the quality assurance standards and validation processes. The results of the prototype assessment were also presented. The findings from the pilot formed the basis for the development of a national qualification. Following meetings between the NHS CCC and the Institute of Health Records and Information Management (IHRIM) early in 1998, it was agreed the NHS CCC and IHRIM would work together to establish a National Clinical Coding Qualification for the UK. The original objectives of this work were to: * Provide recognition of the clinical coding profession * Support the recruitment and on-going assessment of clinical coding staff * Give organisations confidence in the quality of coding * Provide a recognised benchmark for the required standard of clinical coding The first NCCQ examination was held in May 1999, and has continued to date with examinations held twice a year, typically in March and September.

Purpose

The National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) was designed to support the need for good quality clinical information, as outlined in the Information for Health and the NHS Plan. The NCCQ (UK) is designed for clinical coders working in the NHS, to support the production of high quality coded clinical data, to recognise competence, and value the skills and knowledge of clinical coders.

Exam

The NCCQ (UK) examination consists of two written papers that are both taken over the course of one day. The level of attainment for each paper is

Paper 1 – Practical coding

In the morning there is a three-hour practical paper, which is split into three sections:https://hscic.kahootz.com/gf2.ti/f/762498/27836357.1/PDF/-/NCCQ_Exam_Framework_2017.pdf * ICD-10 quick-fire *

OPCS-4 OPCS-4, or more formally OPCS Classification of Interventions and Procedures version 4, is the procedural classification used by clinical coders within National Health Service (NHS) hospitals of NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and Health ...

quick-fire *Case studies The coder is allowed bring their copy of the ICD-10 & OPCS-4 Tabular Lists and Alphabetical Index for this paper. These may be annotated with information from the National Clinical Coding Standards Reference Books and Coding Clinic. In addition, a copy of the British National Formulary (BNF) may be brought in. Medical dictionaries are not allowed. The passmark for the practical paper is 90%. A distinction is awarded for a score of 95% and over.

Paper 2 – Theory

In the afternoon the three-hour theory paper test the coder’s knowledge of the theory of ICD-10, OPCS-4,

SNOMED CT SNOMED CT or SNOMED Clinical Terms is a systematically organized computer-processable collection of medical terms providing codes, terms, synonyms and definitions used in clinical documentation and reporting. SNOMED CT is considered to be the mo ...

, data quality, coding audit, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. Coders are not allowed to bring any additional materials into this exam. In May 2022 IHRIM announced higher pass marks effective from 1st April 2022 and to be formally introduced in the September 2022 NCCQ (UK) examinations. The new passmark for the theory paper is now 70% (previously 60%) with a distinction awarded for a score of 85% and over (previously 80%).

Resitting

Resits are possible. The coder is able to retake individual papers but must pass within the next 3 examinations or they will have to retake both papers again.

Requirements

Because clinical coding training varies across the countries of the UK, there is no minimum competency for sitting the NCCQ. However; IHRIM recommend that a candidate has completed a clinical coding foundation course, has at least 2 years experience as a coder, and undergone a coding refresher course or NCCQ revision workshop before sitting the exam. The coder must be a member of IHRIM at the time of registering for and taking the NCCQ. Membership is charged in addition to the exam fees. Though, once the coder has passed, there is no requirement to remain an IHRIM member to be able use the ACC post-nominal letters.

References

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External links

IHRIM – Institute of Health Records Management
Medical education in the United Kingdom