Job Description
TITLE: MDS/Therapy Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Nursing
SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing with accountability to Administrator/CEO
SHIFT: 8AM – 5PM, subject to variance
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse within South Dakota. Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC) training should be started within six months of hire if not currently RAC certified.
Experience: Prefer three years of experience as a Registered Nurse with supervisory experience, in a long-term care setting. Experience with MDS completion is preferred.
JOB SUMMARY:
The primary purpose of your job position is to conduct and coordinate the completion of the required Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) and is responsible for the implementation and ongoing evaluation of each residents’ comprehensive plan of care. Coordinates and oversees the therapy department including restorative therapy as it pertains to the MDS and comprehensive care plan process.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coordinate the facility’s Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Implement and evaluate each resident’s comprehensive plan of care on an ongoing basis.
Schedule and lead interdisciplinary care plan team meetings.
Audit medical records for the presence of supporting documentation for all times coded on the MDS. Provide education to department heads, physicians, and other staff as needed.
Collaborate with physicians and the interdisciplinary team for assuring insurance approvals and /or that residents meet eligibility and coverage criteria.
Interpret rules, regulations, and coverage guidelines and act as primary resource for problem solving in regard to the SNF prospective payment system and quality reporting program.
Coordinate the skilled therapy services and restorative therapy program as it pertains to the comprehensive care plan process.
- Accurately complete all MDS assessments and any supporting assessments or clinical documentation.
- Utilize the current RAI Manual as a resource during the assessment coding process.
Schedule the Assessment Reference Dates (ARDs) for payment assessments in a manner that accurately captures each resident’s clinical characteristics for payment classification purposes.
Schedule the ARDs for all OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) assessments daily, monthly, and as needed.
Provide a schedule of ARDs and assessment types weekly and as needed to the interdisciplinary team (IDT) in order to facilitate the timely completion of MDS sections and CAAs (Care Area Assessments) by each discipline.
Communicate with members of the IDT as needed for timely completion of assessments. Expected to report any issues with timeliness to the Administrator.
Transmit assessments in accordance with current regulations. To facilitate timely receipt of validation reports, transmit as frequently(daily) as necessary to obtain timely validation of MDS acceptance into the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) System data base.
Confirm transmission files by review and printing of initial and final validation reports.
Correct any fatal errors immediately and retransmit the assessment until an accepted validation report is received.
Address non-fatal errors using the QIES ASAP System MDS 3.0 Provider User’s Guide.
Facilitate the completion and updating of resident care plans with the IDT to reflect each resident’s current needs.
Communicate with the IDT to identify residents in need of a Significant Change in Status assessment, based on criteria in the current RAI manual.
Participate in all resource utilization and/or triple check meetings prior to billing of claims associated with payment assessments.
Assist with admission & discharge planning, training, caregiver training, and the provision of resources as needed.
Attend or participate in continuing education related to the RAI process and related programs. Complete all assigned training and skills competency, as determined by the facility assessment and facility training plans.
Perform administrative duties as assigned, including but not limited to QAPI activities and participation in department or committee meetings.
Audit and improve staff education/competency as needed to ensure accurate and timely completion of supporting documentation and MDS assessments.
Collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as with residents, family members, visitors, government personnel, and the public.
Be knowledgeable of federal regulations, practice standards, and procedures as well as guidelines pertaining to the RAI process.
Responsible for managing and setting up Part B therapy services for nursing home and outpatient services and plans of care.
Set up, review and revises restorative nursing programs in coordination with therapy department.
Oversees and manages wheelchairs, walkers, position de3ices and equipment needed for mobility and therapy.
JOB EXPECTATIONS:
- Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment and supplies.
- Assure that work performance is to the best of ability and effort.
- Be accountable for use of time.
- Adhere to work schedules as closely as possible including time and attendance. Proper notification of an absence is essential.
- Exhibit a clean, neat, and professional appearance. Adhere to the appearance and dress codes of the facility.
- Assure that work/assignment areas are clean and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc., are properly stored at all times, including before leaving such areas for breaks, mealtimes, and end of the workday. Assure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner. Report all hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Assure that established infection control practices are maintained at all times.
- Follow established department and facility policies and procedures.
- Complete proper reports and forms when required as established by department and facility policies and
procedures and/or as requested.
- Report all accidents/incidents.
- Manage unanticipated events in a professional and calm manner.
- Must be able to deal tactfully with co-workers, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and the public.
- Must collaborate harmoniously with residents and with other staff in all departments.
- Must represent facility in a calm and pleasant manner.
- Attend and participate in in-service educational classes, departmental meetings, staff meetings, and committee meetings.
- Maintain the confidentiality of resident, physician, and co-worker information.
- Honor the residents’ personal and property rights. Treat all residents with dignity and respect.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
Intermediate computer skills, including ability to create documents in various programs (Word, Excel, Power Point), and navigate electronic medical record systems.
Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc)
May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
Works in all areas of the facility.
May be required to work on shifts, areas, and rotations other than the one for which hired.
Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays, as well as in other positions as needed.
Must possess the ability to set priorities, organize duties and manage time to ensure optimal resident outcomes. Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
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 function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to collaborate effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.
Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
Must be able to transfer, push, pull and carry up to 50 pounds.
Work requires frequent sitting, pushing, walking, squatting, forward bending, grasping firm and use of foot. Position requires continuous reaching forward and grasping light. Overhead reaching is occasional.