MDS Coordinator salaries

Specialties MDS

Published

I know I have asked this before, but people change so fast on here I thought I would see what the response was like in 2006.

So, if you don't mind

1. How much to you make as MDS Co (or if you're a DON/ADON - how much is your MDS person paid). I make $21/Hr and thinking that is not enough!

2. What part of the country do you live in. I live in Indiana.

3. How much experience do you have w/ MDS. I have 6+ years.

Thank You

Nascar Nurse

Specializes in Too many to list.

Here in Rhode Island, the MDS nurses are frequently LPN's, and I don't know what their salaries are.

I worked at a facility in Maine a few years ago where the DON quit when she found out how much more the MDS nurse was making. He was an RN and the highest paid nurse in the building. He was able to document how much money he had made as well as saved for that facility. In business, it pays to document your achievements. If it doesn't pay, it might be a good idea to put out feelers elsewhere. Incidentally that RN did take a job elsewhere too.

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Specializes in Not specified.

In my facility one of the MDS coordinators doesn't have any nursing degrees whatsoever and had no prior healthcare experience before starting at our company 2 years ago.

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I've been a nurse a long time and perhaps that is the problem:) But what exactly is an MDS nurse? MDS for me is a myleodysplasic syndrome which I'm guessing this is not what you are writing about....

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I work in a hospital-based SNF as a Nurse Case Manager.

Our MDS Coordinators (as are the RN Case Managers)

are all on the Nursing Salary Scale =$52.00 hour.

Now, before you all gasp in dis-belief, I live & work

in of the world's most expensive places, San Francisco &

I believe, that the State of California has the highest

tax rates in the US....so it's all relative.

In any case, those of you making in the $20/hr range,

I'd suggest doing a local salary survey - remember

you are bringing in $$$ revenue for your

facilities!:biggringi

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
I work in a hospital-based SNF as a Nurse Case Manager.

Our MDS Coordinators (as are the RN Case Managers)

are all on the Nursing Salary Scale =$52.00 hour.

Now, before you all gasp in dis-belief, I live & work

in of the world's most expensive places, San Francisco &

I believe, that the State of California has the highest

tax rates in the US....so it's all relative.

In any case, those of you making in the $20/hr range,

I'd suggest doing a local salary survey - remember

you are bringing in $$$ revenue for your

facilities!:biggringi

:bowingpur . $52/HR!! I am gasping for air - wow!. But I do understand that my cost of living and yours would also make me gasp for air - just the other way around.

To another poster questioning what MDS means... In Long Term Care it means minimum data set.. which is a minimal (Ha ha ha - this is several pages of detailed resident specific information) assessment done on each and every resident at government specified intervals. Each assessment calculates out with a "resource utilization grouper" (or RUG) score. That RUG score is what determines the facilities reimbursement rate for medicare and medicaid (medicaid in Indiana - not sure about all states) residents. This system is also the bases for careplanning, determining quality measures (which you can view on any long term care facility in the US at http://www.medicare.gov). It's actually very complicated, very detailed and the government is VERY picky with the details - but I'm trying to simplify as best I can. Any one with anything to add?

Thanks to all posters for your input. My raise is due in a month - hopefully I can convince them I'm worthy of a little more.

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I'm in central Illlinois and starting salary is $21/hr. I make 21.65, I believe. No decent insurance. I think that other MDS Coordinators in my area make less. I want to work as a regional MDS Coordinator or as a consultant. How does a person find those jobs?

Sophie

Where at in central Illinois? I am from there also and would also like to get into consulting.

Robin

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Specializes in LTC, sub-acute, MDS.

LPN in Connecticut

LTC: 28 yr. - MDS Coordinator just under two years

Salary: 27.58 Hr.

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In Illinois it varies but on an average from what I have seen...

RN-$26-$35.00 an hour

LPN-$22-27.00 an hour

I am sure it varies on experience and different certificates you might have,

NASPAC, etc.

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Specializes in acute care ICU"S PACU, SNF.

Hi Everyone...26 years of nursing service experience. Most of that was in hospital settings. I just started LTC 7 months ago as the ADON. I just got promoted? to keeping my title but releasing all my ADON duties and taking on MDS........They are starting me at 28.50/hour but actually I am salary. The benefit package is great where I am. I thought I was being started low but after reading these posts I guess not.

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I was just thinking...

When you list the salaries for the MDSC, maybe it would be helpful to also mention how many residents you are responsible for, is your facility skilled, and if so, on average what is your skilled census. Also, do you as the MDS nurse do the careplans also. These factors influence the pay (usually) of the MDSC. In my area, most MDS Nurses are LPN's; therefore, the MDS has to be signed by an RN. LPN pay ranges $16-20, RN ranges $22-24. To be honest, I don't think ADON's get paid much more than that. And to be honest, I'm not sure the DON's do either! However, in my humble opinion, the DON has way more responsibility than the MDSC. Dealing with staffing issues alone is a nightmare for most DON's!

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Specializes in acute care ICU"S PACU, SNF.

You are right nurse 100. As ADON I did all the staffing for 60 employees, scheduling, labor hours, evaluations, hiring and firing and payroll to mention a few. I am happy to relinquish that.........night phone calls, weekends blah! Plus you can never make everyone happy.......There was always the person of the week who hated me.

My facility is 60 beds and we are certified for all. The MDS does do the careplans, family meetings and works with the billing department.

I hope I can succeed at this........I have two weeks for the present MDSC to train me and I am sick today :(

I am sooooo nervous about this. I am a perfectionist and I know this is like learning a whole new language. I have been studying the MDS 2,0 manual all weekend but it's like reading spanish to me.

Lori

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

After 10 years at the same facility doing different jobs...MDS coordinator for about 2, my friend is making $30/hr. My facility is starting an experienced PPS MDS person at $30/hr. And all the ADNSs and DNSs I know make more than that. But then again, this is Massachusetts with a sky high cost of living.

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