Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is actively recruiting a Clinical Coding Trainer to join its established coding team in Torquay. The role targets experienced NHS professionals ready to shape the next generation of clinical coders. Understanding exactly what skills the Trust expects will help you assess your own readiness before applying.
What the Role Actually Involves
This position sits at the intersection of clinical knowledge and teaching. The Trust needs someone who can deliver structured training programmes for coders, apprentices, and wider coding staff. You will also act as a mentor, policy contributor, and quality assurance contact within the department.
The job carries real responsibility. Beyond classroom delivery, you will assess individual learning needs, shape trainee development pathways, and advise coding managers on workforce development priorities. Strong leadership and organisation are non-negotiable here.
The Essential Qualification: NHS England Approved Trainer Status
The single most important requirement for this role is holding NHS England Approved Clinical Coding Trainer status. Without it, your application will not progress. This credential signals that you meet the national standard for delivering clinical coding education across NHS organisations.
The Trust will also consider candidates who have secured a place on the NHS England 2026/27 Clinical Coding Trainer Programme (CCTP) Assessment Day, scheduled for 26 June. That route gives motivated coders a realistic path into the role even without current trainer approval.
Technical Skills You Need
Clinical Coding Expertise
Deep, working knowledge of ICD-10 and OPCS-4 coding classifications is fundamental. You need to code accurately, consistently, and at pace. The Trust expects trainers to model best practice, so your own coding must be beyond question before you attempt to correct others.
You must also understand National Clinical Coding Standards published by NHS England. These standards evolve regularly. Staying current with updates is part of the trainer role, not an optional extra.
Knowledge of Coding Systems and Tools
Familiarity with clinical coding software and patient administration systems used across NHS trusts is expected. Many teams use tools like Clinical Portal, Lorenzo, or similar EPR platforms. Knowing how to navigate these systems confidently will strengthen your credibility in the training room.
Understanding case mix, HRG groupings, and Payment by Results frameworks adds further value. Clinical coders affect NHS income directly. Trainers who understand that financial context can explain the stakes clearly to trainees.
Training Design and Delivery Skills
Technical coding knowledge alone does not make someone an effective trainer. You need proven ability to develop training materials, case studies, and assessment tools from scratch. The Trust specifically mentions producing case study content, so practical writing and instructional design skills matter here.
- Curriculum planning and structured programme design
- Creating accessible, engaging training documentation
- Adapting delivery methods for different learning styles
- Using blended learning approaches, including digital tools
- Designing and delivering assessments that measure real competence
Soft Skills the Trust Is Looking For
Communication and Interpersonal Ability
The job posting calls out excellent communication skills as a core requirement. In practice, this means explaining complex coding logic in plain, accessible language. Trainers regularly work with people who are anxious, confused, or early in their careers. Clarity and patience are essential.
You will also deliver feedback on coding inaccuracies. That requires both honesty and tact. Feedback must be specific enough to drive improvement without undermining confidence, especially with novice coders who are still building their professional identity.
Leadership and Mentoring
The Trust describes strong leadership qualities as a requirement, not a preference. Acting as a mentor for new coders means guiding people through uncertainty and holding them to standards at the same time. That balance takes emotional intelligence and experience.
Leadership in this context also includes influencing the wider team. You will contribute to policy and procedural development and advise the Coding Manager on training needs. Confidence in professional settings, including meetings and reviews, will be expected of you.
Organisation and Planning
Delivering a comprehensive training programme across a busy NHS department requires strong planning discipline. You will juggle induction sessions, scheduled workshops, ad-hoc training requests, and ongoing mentoring simultaneously. Prioritising effectively without dropping commitments is a daily requirement.
Problem-Solving Under Pressure
Resolving coding inaccuracies professionally is explicitly listed in the job description. Errors in clinical coding can affect patient records and Trust income. Identifying root causes, correcting mistakes, and preventing recurrence all require structured analytical thinking, particularly when working under NHS operational pressure.
Experience Required for This Role
The Trust asks for substantial NHS experience. While the posting does not specify a minimum number of years, candidates without significant frontline coding experience are unlikely to be competitive. Most successful applicants will have worked as senior or lead clinical coders before moving into a training function.
Relevant prior experience typically includes:
- Working as a qualified clinical coder within an NHS acute trust
- Mentoring or supervising junior coders informally or formally
- Delivering ad-hoc training, audits, or quality checks for coding teams
- Contributing to coding policy development or national audits
- Managing your own continuing professional development in coding standards
Experience with NHS apprenticeship frameworks is a bonus, given that the role covers coding apprentices specifically. Familiarity with how apprenticeship end-point assessments work will make onboarding faster and easier.
How to Build These Skills If You Are Not Yet Ready
Pursue the NHS England CCTP Route
If you are an experienced coder who lacks trainer approval, the NHS England Clinical Coding Trainer Programme is the structured pathway forward. Securing an Assessment Day place, as the Trust acknowledges, already signals serious intent. Research the programme requirements early and prepare your application thoroughly.
Volunteer for Internal Training Responsibilities
Many NHS coding teams need informal support for new starters. Volunteer to mentor trainees, deliver short team updates, or lead audit feedback sessions. These experiences build a portfolio of evidence that supports a formal trainer application later.
Develop Your Instructional Design Knowledge
Take short courses in adult learning principles, curriculum design, or instructional writing. Organisations like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development offer accessible learning programmes. Understanding how adults learn differently will make your training delivery significantly more effective.
Stay Current With Coding Standards
Subscribe to NHS England coding updates and attend national coding conferences or webinars. The Federation of Coding Excellence and similar bodies provide resources, peer networks, and professional development events. Active engagement with the national coding community marks you out as a serious professional.
Build Communication and Leadership Confidence
Public speaking and presentation skills can be developed intentionally. Join internal working groups, present at team meetings, or seek feedback on your communication style from managers. Leadership does not require a management title. It starts with how you show up in everyday professional interactions.
Apply for the Clinical Coding Trainer Role at Torbay and South Devon
This position includes a 15% Recruitment and Retention Premium, hybrid and remote working options, and the opportunity to influence coding quality across a major NHS foundation trust. Candidates with NHS England Approved Trainer status or a confirmed CCTP Assessment Day place should review the full job details and apply directly at remoteOK.com.
