What do mds nurses do

The dynamic health care environment has transitioned the role of the MDS Coordinator to a key position within a skilled nursing facility. With the dependence on organization data to determine quality, regulatory and financial outcomes, it is vital that MDS Coordinators receive the support and resources to stay on top of all the changes impacting providers across the nation.

CMS continues to move toward value-based purchasing and standardized data collection across the post-acute care continuum. Each post-acute care provider type is collecting and submitting comparable data to CMS quality programs. Not only must the MDS Coordinator be knowledgeable about how to correctly code MDS items, but they must also understand how the encoded information is being used by many government programs. You can enroll in an online version of the course and even take the exams virtually.

The salary for an MDS nurse varies. The U. If you know that serving in a long-term care facility is your optimal career choice, begin your journey by volunteering. You can do this while in nursing school. Hands-on experience will provide insight into the work environment and patient interaction. Nursing continues to be a field that is in need of trained professionals. Sub-specialties of nursing offer an opportunity to further hone a competitive edge.

In , the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a seven percent increase in all available nursing positions between now and A specialization like an MDS nurse is likely to give you a competitive edge in the field. She is the author and co-author of 12 books focusing on customer service, diversity and team building. What does an MDS Coordinator do? What does MDS stand for? MDS is also the key driver for Medicare payment and many Medicaid reimbursement systems, and is especially critical for long-term care providers.

Small adjustments in the case mix score can result in a significant increase or decrease in revenue for which the facility is entitled. MDS Coordinators are responsible for setting RUG levels for each resident and ensuring the facility is getting accurate, and maximum, reimbursement. Candidates must be familiar with MDS 3. Attention to detail is a must as there are dozens of RUG categories.

Even small inaccuracies can result in significant reimbursement deficits.