Anyone out there credentialed as an RAC-C?

hmmmm....what IS an RAC-C?

I get a mere .50 cents an hour for my OCN (oncology certification) - but I work for a hospital funded by the state - thus the 50 cents - other hospital sin the Seattle area pay a dollar or so for certification)

This thread has been going on in the AANAC discussion group today too..............it looks like most don't get raises for their certification

I got certified for my own edification, I don't know if my administrator could tell you what RAC-C stands for. But I am starting to see AANAC cert. preferred in the local classified ads.

( RAC-C = resident assessment coordinator-certified)

RAC-C Resident Assessment Coordinator - Credentialed (as acclaimed by AANAC). Not "certified" since it is not endorsed by CMS.

Anyone who successfully completes the AANAC course becomes RAC-C. Be it ... "Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Nurse Assessment Coordinators, Administrators, Billing Professionals, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, Health Information Professionals, Activities Professionals, and Dieticians."

Most employers (Administration) don't have a clue how vital an MDS coordinator is to a facility. A "credential" may appear enticing, but a seasoned MDS coordinator is a gem.

Interesting...................had to go back to AANAC and have a look. So much for long term ( or is it short term ?) memory. Didn't know that bit about CMS either.

Being RAC-C is just a starting point. You have to prove your worth. As you might already know numerous factors need to be considered, SOME of which are: experience/length of time on the MDS job; your productivity = no. of PPS residents and therefore assessments; no. of OBRA residents and therefore assessments; timeliness of completing assessments; mastery of Medicare (who gets admitted, who stays, who gets DC'd etc.) and also Medicaid rules, Resoure Utilization, ICD-9 coding; accurate and updated assessment skills; relationship w/ IDT, Rehab, DON and Admin etc. Basically if you can prove to be of vital importance to proper resident care, proper reimbursement and risk management you should be able command a higher than average rate in ANY LTC facility.