[bellcollector]

I may have a chance at an MDS nurse position. I have absolutely no experience other than filling out some MDS forms. They say they are willing to train however I figure the more I know the better my chances. I may be talking to the DON VERY soon. Can anyone help me by filling me in a bit about what MDS nurses do and need to know. I really want and need this job or one like it. Please help me if you can. Bell

[Pepper The Cat]

I can only tell you what I do at my hospital - I don't know if this happens everywhere or not. I make sure that the MDS assessments are completed by all team members. I keep track of when the Quarter/Annual etc assessement are due and tell the people completeing them when to do them. I sumbit the completed form to CIHI (Canadian Information Health Institute) each quarter. When the info comes back from CIHI, I review it and share various parts with managers, directors, etc. I also teach new people how to complete the forms and check the forms for accuracy.
I've only been doing the job since Jan but am enjoying it. I say go for it! Esp if they will send you for training.

[bellcollector]

Thank you pepper for the info. I can't believe your the only MDS nurse on this entire board. I do appreciate your info though. I did get the enterview Mon. at 1pm. They know I am an LPN however I will have my RN in 8mos. and they are willing to train. Now if I can just prove to her that I am a quick learn and can do the job. Unfortunately I am currently on WC for a severe injury at my former employer. I am not able to return to floor work fortunatly I can still walk, bend, sit and stand Just none for long periods of time at once but the combo pretty much all day. I am very hopeful. Thankfully no matter what job I get I will still make at least the same money but it is important to me to find a job that is rewarding and one in which I can at least interact with the pts. At the same time the WC injury is also my biggest fear as far as getting hired. Anyway that is my story and I'm sticken too it. Just wanted to let you know why I was so desperate for help. If you want I will let you know if I get the job. Bell

[noc4senuf]

I am a DON in a LTC facility. I have been working with MDS's for about 10 years. Some facilities have the floor nurses fill out most of the nursing portion but, i am used to just the MDS coordinator completing it. You need to gather all pertinent info for the resident (ADL's, Bowel& Bladder, Diseases, Pain, Skin, Oral, Meds, Restorative, MD visits, ets) depending on the time frame for each section. This needs to be entered onto the MDS form. Then if it is an admission, annual, or sig change MDS you need to write a RAP which is basically a summary of what affects them in each category and what the plan is to take care of it. Then comes the care plan. Right now CMS is busy updating quite a few of their "Guidelines to Surveyors" so some past ways of gathering information will have to be beefed up or changed to meet the regs. In my last facility I had an LPN in that position, she did a wonderful job, I just needed to sign off that it was completed. My current coordinator is an RN and I review all MDS she completes before they are submitted. It never hurts to be careful. Good luck with your interview. MDS Coordinators either love or hate their job. But, they are the moneymaker for any facility.

[Pepper The Cat]

I would love to hear if you get the job! Maybe we can exchange emails and compare jobs. I would be interested to see how the USA and Canada compare. Because in Canada, the MDS isn't the money maker it is in the US.