career pathways out of MDS

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What are some career options with MDS coordinator experience?? I am a new RN grad and was recently offered a position as an MDS coordinator for an LTC facility. They offered to train/orient me as well as pay for the necessary classes. What are the pros and cons of this position? Would I be boxing myself in if I start off as an MDS coordinator?

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

MDS coordinator is it's own specialty..Takes many months to understand and years to be an expert...Even then, there is still always something new to learn..I suggest that you do not pursue this position if it is something you do not want to stick with for a long while or you will be wasting your time...

Pros: no heavy lifting, usually no weekends/holidays, able to participate in care planning, lots of patient/family interaction without the pressures of being understaffed while working the floor.

Cons: Confined to office/computer most of time, very stressful due to responsibilities of the position: reimbursement counts on your assessment, accuracy of assessment, scheduling assessments, many meetings that are time consuming, other responsibilities such as restorative nursing, writing/updating care plans, care plan meetings, and quarterly assessments, and just like with any other nursing position: NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY TO DO EVERYTHING!!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do:)

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MDS coordinator is it's own specialty..Takes many months to understand and years to be an expert...Even then, there is still always something new to learn..I suggest that you do not pursue this position if it is something you do not want to stick with for a long while or you will be wasting your time...

Pros: no heavy lifting, usually no weekends/holidays, able to participate in care planning, lots of patient/family interaction without the pressures of being understaffed while working the floor.

Cons: Confined to office/computer most of time, very stressful due to responsibilities of the position: reimbursement counts on your assessment, accuracy of assessment, scheduling assessments, many meetings that are time consuming, other responsibilities such as restorative nursing, writing/updating care plans, care plan meetings, and quarterly assessments, and just like with any other nursing position: NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY TO DO EVERYTHING!!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do:)

Thanks montecarlo! I have accepted the position because it seemed like a great opportunity (great pay & hours). It doesn't seem too stressful (we have two MDS coords for a 150-bed facility) plus management is very supportive. I'm in my early 20s and I would like to eventually have different nursing experiences (mainly community health & nurse educator). I just wanted to know if I would be able to pursue this with a couple of years of MDS experience.

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Specializes in Assessment coordinator.

Note: When applying for other jobs, you will have to explain how the Minimum Data Set is crucial to re-imbursement and Quality improvement. No one out in the other world understands. You will have third party payer knowledge that nurses rarely get, and you will need to capitalize on this when you leave.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, ER.

I am in the exact same boat as you! I love this position because it is so flexible (I have a 4 month old baby at home) so if I don't have daycare, I just come in when my husband gets off work.

I think this job is great for just starting out because it reinforces/reminds me what I've learned in nursing school.

I was hired to help out the original MDS coordinator. She was handling at the minimum 70+ MDSs a month (we're a busy transitional care unit with at least 3-7 admits/discharges a week).

Good luck with your position!! :)

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Thanks lvnlrn! I will let you know how it goes... but so far, so good.

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