This micro-credential provides learners with the knowledge to extract clinical information and translate that into ICD10-AM codes for diagnosis, treatment complications, adverse effect of drugs and poisoning, injuries and their external causes as well as procedures and interventions.

On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners/ākonga will be able to identify the reason for admission in the assignment of a principal diagnosis, determine any additional diagnosis and apply any coding instruction or rules to those diagnosis.  Additionally, they will be able to determine complications of treatment and other co-morbidities that are required to be collected for the National Minimum DataSet (NMDS).  They will understand the different types of procedural and intervention codes applicable to the New Zealand environment and be able to assign these where instructed.

Context:

Toitū te Waiora was approached by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora in February 2025 to discuss development of three clinical coding micro-credentials at entry, intermediate, and advanced levels. These map to levels 5-7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). This micro-credential represents entry level and will be followed in due course with development of intermediate and advanced level micro-credentials and attendant skill standards. It is likely that future development work will be managed by the incoming Industry Skills Board following disestablishment of Toitū te Waiora on 31 December 2025.

Proposed micro-credential and skill standard:

The proposed micro-credential: Apply clinical coding principles and processes in a health and wellbeing setting (Level 5, 30 credits) will be assessed against a new skill standard. Please note the skill standard is also subject to NZQA approval.

We welcome your feedback:

We would appreciate feedback on the proposed micro-credential and skill standard by 5pm on Thursday 3 July 2025. Please submit any feedback via the email address [email protected]