New MDS Coordinator

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. RN since 2008, long-term care since 1996, and MDS Coordinator since July 5th.

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I am curious about your job, could you tell me more about it?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Well, I have only been doing this job since July 5th independently. But, in my facility, I am responsible for all State and Federal required assessments. I'm also in charge of the restorative nursing program. I do all the care planning for the facility. Each month, I audit the billing for the Medicare A and B residents and the Medicaid residents in therapy. I also attend meetings 3 days per week and meet with the IDT to determine any needs. In between, I work with the therapy department to schedule any residents needing evaluated as well as monitoring progress. Right now, I'm also acting DON as ours is on vacation.

In my down time, I am reviewing the new regulations pertaining to PDPM and training the other staff. My goal is to be CRRN certified by March and RAC-CT certified within a year.

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You have down time? Lol thank you for informing me about your postion, I recently was ask to apply but did not know anything about it.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Each facility is different. Ask questions of the management if you are interested. My facility is a small (about 50 residents) rural facility, so I am able to cover different areas. Other facilities I have worked at had an MDS nurse and a separate restorative nurse.

What are your interests? Do you enjoy bedside nursing? Because a lot of the job is office work, data collection, assessments, etc. Are you good at self direction? Because you will be responsible for scheduling the assessments and making sure the various departments have done theirs.

At first, I didn't want any part of it. I didn't want to be management or leave the floor. But, ultimately it has suited my type A personality. As well as giving me more authority to be a patient advocate.

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I am tired of bedside nursing and was wanting something different. I love doing assessments, careplans and tracking. When she asked if I'd be interested I had no clue what it was, but now I am really interested as long as I am trained. I haven't been in long term care for a few years, I currently work in dialysis.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Sounds like it might be a good fit for you. LTC will require adjusting your assessments, and learning new regulations and policies. There are a lot of resources to help ?

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Thank you for all you input! The facility is also 50 pt! Hope they call soon! Are you on call, they stated I would have to take call every 4th week.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm basically always on call, but that is because the staff nurses, CNA's, and therapy know they can always call me. Aside from that, I'm on call 1 weekend per month.

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Just wanted to let you know I got the job! Any advise on what to study up on before I start next week?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

CMS has the new MDS manual (called the RAI) for download. I have it printed out, on my computer and on my phone! It's the Bible for MDS...

Also, familiarize yourself with the new regulations that started Oct 1...changes the assessment requirement for Medicare residents. I did 39 CEU online via healthcare academy for MDS certification. I'm doing the ICD 10 CEU now.

My best advice...don't be ashamed to reach out and ask questions. Do you have anyone within the company to ask? For example, I have a corporate nurse I rely on for a quick answer.

If it will help, my email is [email protected]

Just put new MDS in the subject and I will add you. 5 months for me and it has flown by!

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Thank you so much for your advise. I'm going into this without knowing anything! I will add you to my email.

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