MDS Coordinator

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to conduct and coordinate the development and completion of the resident assessment in accordance with the requirements of this state and policies and goals of the Facility.

Delegation of Authority

As MDS Coordinator you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Conduct and coordinate the development and completion of the RAI process in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the resident assessment in accordance with Medicare, Medicaid, OBRA, and other payer programs.
• Maintain and periodically update written policies and procedures that govern the development, use, and implementation of the RAI process.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the resident assessment.
• Participate in Facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Monitor the Facility’s QI and QM reports to ensure that appropriate corrective action can be implemented when potential problem areas occur.
• Ensure that a current copy of the RAI Manual is available to persons completing portions of the MDS.

Committee Functions

• Chairperson for Daily Case Management Meeting.
• Chairperson for Weekly UR Meeting.
• Chairperson for Monthly Triple Check Meeting.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend various other committees of the Facility (e.g. Policy Advisory, Quality Assessment and Assurance) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.
• Participate in functions involving discharge plans, as may be necessary.

Personnel Functions

• Maintain an effective, friendly working relationship with health professionals, physicians, consultants, and governmental agencies that may be involved in the resident assessment and care plan functions of the Facility.
• Meet with and solicit advice from department supervisors concerning the resident assessment and care plan functions of the Facility.

Staff Development

• Attend and participate in annual Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.)
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to help you keep abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.
• Conduct training programs for appropriate staff on the completion and use of the MDS.

Assessment Function

• Ensure that all members of the assessment team are aware of the importance of completeness and accuracy in their assessment functions and that they are aware of the penalties, including civil money penalties, for false certification.
• Ensure assessments accurately reflect the physical, mental and psychosocial status each resident.
• Ensure assessments reflect optimal reimbursement for services provided.
• Ensure appropriate documentation to support services provided.
• Initiates, directs and maintains the Medicare PPS and OBRA assessment schedules to ensure timely completion of all assessments.
• Complete entry trackers and discharge assessments accurately and timely.
• Ensure that an Initial Admission Assessment is completed within fourteen (14) days of the resident’s admission.
• Ensure that quarterly and annual resident assessments are completed on a timely basis.
• Collaborate with the IDC team to identify significant change in resident status and, ensures that a comprehensive resident assessment is scheduled within fourteen (14) days of a significant change in the resident’s condition.
• Ensure that each portion of the assessment is signed and dated by the person completing that portion of the MDS.
• Sign and date the assessment instrument to certify its completion.
• Ensure that all assessments are completed and transmitted in a timely manner.
• Review validation reports for fatal errors and warnings and completes Modifications and Inactivations in accordance with CMS Correction Policy.
• Maintain a PPS pathway for all residents on Medicare Part A and Managed Care.
• Collaborate with facility Director of Rehabilitation to ensure the most appropriate ARD is utilized for Medicare assessments thru the use of PPS pathways
• Provide billers with PPS pathways to ensure accurate billing.
• Complete Comprehensive Status Updates to Case Managers on all managed care residents per company guidelines.
• Complete and maintain timely completion and signing of Physician Medicare Certifications.
• Prepare for State and Federal agency audits related to RAI process and reimbursement.

Resident Rights

• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written and oral report to the Nurse Supervisor, LPN, and RN. Follow Facility’s established procedures.
• Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

• Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is involved in community or civic health matters or projects, as appropriate.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years of experience as an MDS Coordinator in a skilled nursing facility.

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.