MDS subacute care

[Moogie]

Do any of you have experience doing MDS in subacute care? How does it compare to LTC?

I've been offered a part-time position doing MDS (and only MDS) in a subacute facility---but I'm planning to start grad school full time this fall. I've completed the online MDS course but have not worked MDS prior to this potential job. School is going to be stressful and a tremendous amount of work---but we still may need my income. Am I setting myself up for incredible frustration and massive stress by trying to do both? Or should I bypass the MDS offer and try other avenues (like working per diem) if we need the money?

Thanks!

[poohmdsnurse]

Bypass this job... it is by far to much of a pain to try and do this with school and do this job- (do it right)

[edhcinc]

Hi. Whether or not this job is "doable" or frustrating/stressful, depends on many factors:

1. Job description--whether or not job is ONLY MDS coordination, completion, and transmission OR also includes responsibilities for care planning and/or daily PPS meeting.
   
   
2. Census--average, and admission day/time. A small census (14 probably up to 20) is doable. More than 25=stress.
   
   
3. Length of stay--discharge on or before the 14th day (day of admission= day 1) means that you will need to complete ONLY 1 PPS MDS (and it could be the MPAF). No comprehensive assessment or RAPs are required. A discharge on day 15 WILL require a comprehensive assessment with RAPs..and on it goes. LOS=# of required assessments per patient.
   
   
4. Clinical colleagues--are the other clinicians well-trained, complete and enter assigned MDS sections on a timely basis.
   
   
5. Rehab staff--familiarity with PPS, good "team" communication.
   
   
6. Flexible hours--so that you don't have to "fight" over use of medical record. Do # of hours also "flex" based on census or admission stats?
   
   

Good luck in making your decision!

[Moogie]

Census is over 100 beds; I would be an assistant to the full-time MDS person who does have other Medicare-related responsibilities.

Thanks for the input. This decision process is a Maalox moment for me.

[edhcinc]

hi, again, moogie! at least it's not yet a nexium® moment!!

since you say that you will be "the assistant", it may be worth your while to find out what this truly means, and how responsibilities would be divided/assigned between you and your co-worker/"boss"--and whether or not this is "negotiable."

if you are assigned all of the mds sections which require chart review (physician orders/visits, # days meds received, diagnoses, etc.) and transmissions, this could be a perfect p-t "fit."

we can all adjust to stress, if we know what the stress is. frustration caused by ambiguity or lack of clarity= solutions that rarely ever successfully satisfy.

[Moogie]

hi, again, moogie! at least it's not yet a nexium® moment!!

since you say that you will be "the assistant", it may be worth your while to find out what this truly means, and how responsibilities would be divided/assigned between you and your co-worker/"boss"--and whether or not this is "negotiable."

if you are assigned all of the mds sections which require chart review (physician orders/visits, # days meds received, diagnoses, etc.) and transmissions, this could be a perfect p-t "fit."

we can all adjust to stress, if we know what the stress is. frustration caused by ambiguity or lack of clarity= solutions that rarely ever successfully satisfy.

thanks! i think everything depends on what happens with school. as it looks now, i won't be able to start the program until january. i had thought i might be able to start this fall---and that would be too much to deal with at once. that maybe would be the best of both worlds. i could get used to the job and adjust my hours as needed at the beginning of spring semester.