MDS Coordinators/ RN or LPN Assessment Coordinators

[RN 4 Life]

i would like to use this thread to discuss mds tips and answer questions. please post any and all types of questions on mds's from how to ?'s to salary ?'s. i will begin by asking the the following question:

i am getting ready for my february picture date. does anyone have any tips on how to get your case-mix up. i just want hear what other coordinators are doing to prepare.

i cant wait to chat!!!

[paulRN216]

The best (in my opinion) way to learn MDS is to do the classes provided by AANAC *American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators* and to read the RAI manual.

www.aanac.org

:icon_cheesygrin:

[marymack57]

I also do MDS's in my facility. I am curious as to what other MDS Coordinator's are making. I recently asked for a raise and was laughed at. I make mid LPN wage and have been doing the MDS's for 5 years. Recently the Coordinator quit and I was moved into the position, not exactly by choice. I am now the only one in the facility that does them so I figured, what the hey, I'll ask for a raise. The new management doesn't understand the importance of doing the MDS's or why we even do them. She just knows there's money involved. Help.

I am DNS, but our MDS coordinators, though they are both RNs, make almost as much as I do per hour.

By the way, I am a former MDS coordinator. They deserve every penny they make, and probably more.

[angelrose]

Thanks for the info I've only done mds for 6mo and still try to figure out the best way to figure out the info and what to concentrate on I'm certified but that doesn't help much

[marymack57]

Thanks for the info I've only done mds for 6mo and still try to figure out the best way to figure out the info and what to concentrate on I'm certified but that doesn't help much

Never think you can't learn something new, and always ALWAYS stay on top of what your therapies are doing. LOL At least I found these to be true. Does your facility belong to a large corporation, or is it a stand alone (private owned) facility? I know this tends to make a difference in salary for management staff. The one thing I enjoy about working in a facility that is owned by a big corporation is that we have LOTS of education resources and that is definitely a plus for an MDS coordinator. However, I was told when I took the MDS position that I'd better treat the RAI manual as if it were my second Bible, and I did. I've never had a question about the assessment/RAPS/Care Plan process that the RAI couldn't answer.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I have two MDS nurses. One is an RN..she does the OBRA MDSs and makes about $28/hour. She is not worth 1/2 that..I have to review every MDS because she just doesn't get it. The PPS MDS nurse is an LPN and she makes about $25.

[marymack57]

I have two MDS nurses. One is an RN..she does the OBRA MDSs and makes about $28/hour. She is not worth 1/2 that..I have to review every MDS because she just doesn't get it. The PPS MDS nurse is an LPN and she makes about $25.

That's bad, when the MDS person doesn't have a clue. Been there, done that! It took her only 3 months to hang herself, but after she left I had to fix up the errors. What a mess. Both our MDS coordinators are RNs and new and were hired at 29 an hour. They have good potential though, I'm thinking.

How many PPS do you average on your caseload? I suppose we run between 5 and 15, usually averaging about 11. The non-PPS average in about 75, I'd say.