I've got a social worker that is doing everyone's job

Specialties MDS

Published

I've got a social worker that is doing everyone's job but hers. She is "unofficially" the assistant Administrator because our Administrator is in awe of her MSW. She's new out of school and does a great job of presenting every idea as her own.

My problem with her is that she does not understand that I need her to get her sections of the MDS done in a timely manner. As I'm sure other MDSers know, end of the month is stressful.

I have a great relationship with our therapy manager and we do a pretty good job coordinating ARDs but sometimes you get an ARD on the day that you're closing for the month. You can not always wait around for everyone to input their section. As a nurse for 15 years and a MDS coordinator for 5, I feel pretty confident that I can get the information in that needs to be in and that it is going to be accurate, or very close.

Well this SSW wanted to know why a MDS was closed because she didn't put the info in. I told her this was one of these times when things had to be done now and I couldn't wait. That didn't make her happy so she sent me a whiny e-mail ccing the administrator and the DON. Needless to say I was a little hot. So I told her that I could open the MDS and she could modify them and I will resend them. I'm very sure that this is more of a power trip for her than anything else. I interviewed the residents also. She is the 4th social worker that I've dealt with in the 5 years that I've been at this facility. I guess my question is: Does other MDS coordinators have this issue?

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I have worked with some great Social Workers in my 14 years experience doing MDS's but the common thread among every single one of them is getting the information for the MDS on time. I realize they have a lot to do, no doubt about that, but so does the MDS Nurse. I too have been berated by a couple of SWs for putting the info. in myself. It seems to be a universal problem.

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Thanks - I thought it was just me whining.

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

We are having the same issue with one of our Social Workers; she is supposed to be doing the "Administrator in Training" at some point.

She's into everything else (of course, everything is a secret) & assessments don't get done. :sarcastic:

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I've got a social worker that is doing everyone's job but hers. She is "unofficially" the assistant Administrator because our Administrator is in awe of her MSW. She's new out of school and does a great job of presenting every idea as her own.

My problem with her is that she does not understand that I need her to get her sections of the MDS done in a timely manner. As I'm sure other MDSers know, end of the month is stressful.

I have a great relationship with our therapy manager and we do a pretty good job coordinating ARDs but sometimes you get an ARD on the day that you're closing for the month. You can not always wait around for everyone to input their section. As a nurse for 15 years and a MDS coordinator for 5, I feel pretty confident that I can get the information in that needs to be in and that it is going to be accurate, or very close.

Well this SSW wanted to know why a MDS was closed because she didn't put the info in. I told her this was one of these times when things had to be done now and I couldn't wait. That didn't make her happy so she sent me a whiny e-mail ccing the administrator and the DON. Needless to say I was a little hot. So I told her that I could open the MDS and she could modify them and I will resend them. I'm very sure that this is more of a power trip for her than anything else. I interviewed the residents also. She is the 4th social worker that I've dealt with in the 5 years that I've been at this facility. I guess my question is: Does other MDS coordinators have this issue?

Did the brass back her up?

Did you let the SW and the brass know, nicely, that you closed when you did because it was the deadline and now you were going to have extra work to do by having to re-open things for the SW?

What arrangement can be devised so this doesn't happen again? Did SW not realize she was supposed to do her part by a certain date? Can you talk with her? Otherwise, you're likely to get fired. I feel it in my bones.

If this SW is taking credit for your or anyone else's work, you had better speak up to Admin with your new ideas so YOU get the credit. This is war, Baby.

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

OOPS! Dulicate post.

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

Dang! Just ignore me lol! My computer ate my response :rolleyes:

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