MDS Coordinator

jkh · May 26, 2000

Congratulations and best of luck on your new job! I am a former MDS coordinator. The best advice I can offer is to use the resources available to help fill out the MDS accurately. I can't remember the exact name of the book that I called my "blue bible" which contains the guidelines to help fill out the MDS and complete RAPS. It's put out by HFCA. (It's something like Resident assessment instrument protaccol manual) The other thing is to pay attention to DATES which can be confusing at times. You'll know what I mean about dates after you've done a few.

RNAC · May 27, 2000

Originally posted by rnanita:
I am leaving one area of nursing after 15 years to go into Geriatric Nursing, to be trained as a MDS Coordinator. Since I have never worked in this area, can anyone offer any tips or suggestions?
Thanks,
Sandy

There is a great discussion group that you can find via the AARNC. If you are a detail oriented person with great assessments skills you'll do fine. get the Briggs MDS manual and look up info on the HCFA site.

Nancy1 · May 27, 2000

Hi,

The book that others referred to is just called the RAI Manual, Resident Assessment Instrument. You have ti be very careful with the dates. And be sure to talk to all the staff so you get a complete picture. As all of us know the resident will do different things aaat different times of the day and it can be frustrating. Also I would hope that your facility would send you to one of the many seminars that are held about the MDS. The cost is definitely worth it. Good Luck NA

gjorg · Jun 13, 2000

Originally posted by rnanita:
I am leaving one area of nursing after 15 years to go into Geriatric Nursing, to be trained as a MDS Coordinator. Since I have never worked in this area, can anyone offer any tips or suggestions?
Thanks,
Sandy

Sandy,

Check out www.aanac.org, this is the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators. Lots of great info as well as an email discussion group where you can hook up with hundreds of other MDS coordinators.

You can also download the RAI Manual from my website at www.careplans.com

Good Luck!

Gary Jorgenson, RN

MQ Edna · Jun 15, 2000

JUST WANTED TO SAY GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW JOB AND DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. I HAVE WORKED IN LONG TERM CARE FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW WITH MOST OF THAT TIME SPENT DOING MDS, RAPS, AND CARE PLANS. WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF PPS IN OUR STATE IT HAS BEEN A HARD STRUGGLE AND VERY TIME CONSUMING JOB. KNOW YOUR RAI MANUAL WELL!!! THESE ARE YOUR STATE GUIDE LINES THAT YOU MUST COMPLY WITH. ALSO EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE TIMELY. AND DEFINTELY PUSH TO BE SENT FOR TRAINING IN THIS FIELD.

Bon37 · Jul 29, 2000

Originally posted by Nancy1:
Hi,
The book that others referred to is just called the RAI Manual, Resident Assessment Instrument. You have ti be very careful with the dates. And be sure to talk to all the staff so you get a complete picture. As all of us know the resident will do different things aaat different times of the day and it can be frustrating. Also I would hope that your facility would send you to one of the many seminars that are held about the MDS. The cost is definitely worth it. Good Luck NA

Just be careful...talk to the staff but MAKE SURE what they tell you is backed up in the chart! Sometimes in LTC we all know the resident so well that we forget to write it all down. Good Luck!

Carey7 · Jul 29, 2000

If you go to www.download.com and look for "WinRAPs" this program might help. Here is the exact page addy: http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10016-100-917268.html?tag=st.dl.10001_103_1.lst.td

I hope it is of some help to you.

------------------

Carey7

virginia · Sep 26, 2000

Hi: I'm currently an RN who works in a nursing home in Southwestern Ohio. I've

been thinking about becoming a MDS coordinator, but I don't know how to go about

it. Could you tell me how to do this and what qualifications, courses, etc. I would

have to have. Thank you very much. Virginia