MDS Coordinator salaries

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Dec 14, 2006

The MDS is a federally mandated system so I suspect all states would have the same regs....HAVE to be an RN to sign the MDS as complete. The line on the form even states: signature of RN...not LPN, not student, not MD

eyedoc · Dec 14, 2006

Thanks for the info..is the MSD-RN also what you call MDS Coordinator? are they the same? im so new actually with these terms so i wanted to clarify them...so from my previous readings from the thread, sometime facilities will hire someone who is an LPN to do the MDS thingie or take its position but just have any higher ups RNs to sign for it like the facility's DON or ADON? i was thinking there would be a designated MDS-RN of the facility and would have an assistant in the likes of an MDS Coordinator...that is my idea of the set up since they are a lot of patients that are needed to be covered etc...another question if u dont mind, if one would graduate from an associate degree in nursing( a 2-yr course and eventually pass the NCLEX) can that person apply to be an MDS-RN or one needs to be a BSN in order to be federally qualified?

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Dec 15, 2006

We have 2 MDS people. One is called the MDS Coordinator and she does all the long term and managed care MDSs. The other nurse is the PPS/Medicare MDS nurse and she does all the medicare MDSs. They are both RNs...you don't have to have a BSN to be an MDS Coordinator or to sign the MDSs...you just have to be an RN to sign.

I've never worked in a place (and I've worked in plenty) where an LPN is the coordinator. It doesn't make much sense because the RN has to sign the form.

unmovable · Dec 16, 2006

i live in northern vermont and have about 4 1/2 years expirence as a mds coordinator. i make about $26/hr with very poor benefits. we get five sick days a year, two weeks vacation after two years, before that only one week, about 7 holidays a year and the health insurance has a $2,500 deductable. we are owned by an out of state corporation. what keeps me here is not having to travel!! been there, done that, the $10,000 more i made a year was not worth the wear and tear on the car, my family or me!!

RN 4 Life · Dec 29, 2006

I have been an MDS Coordinator for a little over 1 year, I currently make $34 per hour, am on call 1 week per month. My primary responsibilities include: Coordinating Medicare, Managed Care, & Medicaid Assessments, Monitoring Case Mix, QI, Case Management, & UR. I also review new admissions and determine expected RUG .

frizzlex · Apr 15, 2007

LPN in vermont. Graduated in june of 2003. Started at 15 per hour per diem. went staff with benefits 14 per hour first raise 14.70 then 15.50 then 16.28 promoted to MDS coordinator (responsibe for CP's as well). 43 residents highest number of skilled 9 at one time. starting pay 18.00 due for annual raise.......???

achot chavi · May 29, 2007

Ok lets keep this all in perspective- I was an MDS coordinator for two LTC/SNF's in NY and am now an ADNS. The MDS coordinator is EXPECTED to work diligently and try to get the most money for her facility BASED ON THE WORK THAT THE WHOLE STAFF IS PROVIDING- the MDS Coordinator can only ask for credit for work that the nurses are already providing- she/he cant take all the credit and doesn't deserve more pay just because she is diligent and finds ways to get more credit- that would be like a staff nurse asking for a salary increase just because she is diligent and does ALL HER WORK- (she is expected to do this to begin with)

The ADNS has a much more challenging position than the MDS coord. her job requires more skills and knowledge, and therefore SHOULD be paid at a higher rate. BUT why is this even an issue? the local market will set the payscale= supply and demand will determine salaries just like everything else. and if you do a good job and can finagle a better salary- good for u. If there is someone willing to do ur job as well as u but for a lower pay- u might lose ur job to her. If u think they can be trusted, coordinate local nurses of ur level and openly discuss salaries and benefits so y'all can negotiate from a place of strength. but lets not be in competition over this- I'd rather discuss strategies that will help me do my job better. once again- I don't think an MDS coord can demand a higher salary just for doing her job well- we should be doing that to begin with. and u cant take all the credit as nurses work in a team not individually!!

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2007

once again- I don't think an MDS coord can demand a higher salary just for doing her job wel

But doesn't everyone, in any kind of profession expect a higher salary when you go above and beyond to do your work well (better than average). Does this imply that everyone should always be paid equal - meaning the "lazy" nurse next to you that does just enough to get by, and we all know at least one of those, should be paid the same as the one busting his/her tail?

And as a side note from the original poster..

My ED has been in the facility over a year now. My ED has been in our facility a year now and recently called me into the office and granted me the nearly 15% raise I requested!!:monkeydance: I got that because I consistently go above and beyond. I'm out on the floor constantly asking nurses to chart things, reminding therapy that 710 minutes of theapy is great... but jeez can't ya get 10 more!, bugging hospital medical records to death for IV documentation that nurse liason tells me didn't exist (to lazy to actually look for it), etc. For the past 4 months, our facility has had the best medicare rate in our whole region (20 some buildings). So yeah, I do go above and beyond everyday and I do deserve to be paid more for it!

I have also learned from other local facility comparisons that my specific corporation just pays pathetically, which I will have to think more about.

BOBCOXRN · Jun 6, 2007

i have been an r.n. for twenty eight years and i have done all types of nursingincluding teaching, management and consulting in most clinical areas...... including psych, home health, and as a consultant in a ltc with responsibility for advising the don, dds, and the mds coordinator. i have had mds 2.0 training.

now i find myself as a patient.i had to have a hip replacement in dec., 2006 (as a result of trauma in an auto accident). as an untoward and totally unpredicted effect, i suffered a stroke. i am struggling with aspects of my physical rehab and am in a wheelchair most of the time.

i am looking for a position as either mds coordinator, telephone advice nurse, or other position that i could do from wheelchair or from home.

[banana]any suggestions ??:monkeydance:[/banana]

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

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2007

i am looking for a position as either mds coordinator, telephone advice nurse, or other position that i could do from wheelchair or from home.
[banana]any suggestions ??:monkeydance:[/banana]

can't help you w/ telephone advice type position. the mds requires talking w/ staff, resident and family members as well as a detailed review of the medical record. this can not be done from your home. now, i would think you would be fine in a facility working from a w/c.. but my particular facility wouldn't hire you, because a nurse must be able to perform all functions of a nurse, ie: lifting and such.

Nursebarebari · Jun 11, 2007

MDS in NY $36-40/hr. My girlfriend has 4 yrs experience.

TSHELTON2005 · Jun 16, 2007

can someone tell me how you get cetified as a mds coordinator?? this is something i think i would like doind... ty