MDS Coordinator salaries

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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

i have been an LPN for 13yr.s i would like to work as a MDS Coordinator do you see this as a possibility

Yes, I can see this as a possibility, I have only been a LPN for 5 1/2 years and I have been the MDS coordinator at our facility since February 2006. If your state will allow LPN to complete the MDS and have a RN to sign them, then sure you can be a MDS coordinator.

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could you please explain what an MDS Coordinator does and how do you get started?

Hello Poodlehead,

MDS stands for minimal data set in other terms it means money, well at least that is what I have been told. It consist of doing comprehensive assessements on each resident which consist of annuals, admissions, quarterlies, and significant change in status assessment whether good or bad. Then you have all your PPS or medicare assessments you have to do, which are your 5day, 14day, 30day, 60day, and 90day, and once they have exhausted there medicare days whether it be 100 days or whatever they entered the facility with, they then roll over the medicaid and you then start your medicaid assessments. At my facility I have to coordinate the MDS, care plans, care plan meetings, QA meetings, therapy caps and meetings, snf letters to send to family members, diagnosis with form locators for billing of the UB92 and so much more to mention. I have to say it is a very challenging job but I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Jeannie

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Review page 8 and you will see my reply to your a question. I hope it was helpful.

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Hello, from your post I gather the MDS coordinator doesn't actually perform the assessments herself... is this normal?

Thanks In Advance For You Input,

AA

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Not to be disagreeable, but I kind of think that all the staff is responsible for attaining higher reimbursement. At my facility, the nurses and nursing assistants, social workers therapy and dietitian ALL need to provide the care and documentation of such to give the RNAC the basis for her entries into the MDS! Also, the "profit" of the higher reimbursement actually goes toward the resident's care. Most of the time, the reimbursement doesn't even cover their doses of Epogen! So it's no lucrative, money making business, but rather adequate reimbursement for care that was provided (which costs money). And I think the RNAC should be well paid. Mine is worth her weight in gold!!!:kiss[/quote

Your RAN-C is lucky to have you!!:saint:

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I do PPS assessments only. After saying that, am A unit manager on the Medicare floor. I have a lot of non PPS duties. I have been doing MDS since 1998. Am a RAN-C. I make 27.5 an hour. I am not on call.

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Hi,

Just started this week as MDS Coordinator (newbie). Make $25.00/hr. Live in West Texas. Found a nice facility willing to train me at a salary I was earning at a previous facility as a Floor Charge Nurse. Looking forward to the change of pace.

Good luck to you and your new position!

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WOW!! Good for you! You'd never get that salary at a long term facility around here.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

Was salary once. Worked me to death. Now not salaried. Cannot not get overtime to finish my job. Go figure!:uhoh3: :uhoh3:

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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

Trust yourself you can do it! Good luck!!:typing

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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....

Very cute reply. MDS means Minimal Data Set. It is form that is used to collect data about a resident. This information goes to identify problems. The problems need further assessments which are the RAPS ( Resident Assessment Protocols.) From there develops a care plan. It sounds simple, but far more complicated.

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Would anybody know if in the state of california, to be an MDS Coordinator one should be an RN or to be an LPN is allowed? Can a present nursing student with a foreign medical graduate degree be hired to be an MDS coordinator? Thanks

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