MDS Nurse, RN

Covenant Living Communities and Services; Turlock (CA); On-site; USD 80,591 - 113,388; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

PTO & Holidays

401(k) with match

Fitness Center

EAP

Job summary

Covenant Living Communities and Services is seeking a temporary MDS Nurse/NAC to coordinate MDS/RAI processes and oversee care planning in a licensed nursing facility in California. The role requires RN licensure, MDS certification, and experience with PDPM and RAI, with collaboration across nursing, therapy, dietary, and social services teams.

The position emphasizes timely, accurate assessments, regulatory compliance, and communication with families.

Qualifications

• RN licensed in state with active license.
• MDS certification or feasible timeline to obtain within 1 year.
• Experience with RAI process and comprehensive resident-centered care plans.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate federally mandated RAI/MDS processes.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to complete MDS assessments and care plans.
• Ensure PDPM compliance and accurate ARD timing and documentation.
• Review assessments, resolve warnings/errors, and transmit to national repository.
• Lead care plan meetings and coordinate with family and caregivers.
• Maintain compliance with OBRA and PPS schedules.
• Assist with discharge planning and documentation accuracy.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

MDS/RAI process

PDPM experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree, Nursing

RN license active

MDS Certification

Tools

EMAR/PCC systems

Job description

We Are Inspired to Serve. Join us!

Temporary MDS position; the MDS Nurse, RN (nurse assessment coordinator (NAC)) is an individual licensed as a registered nurse by the State Board of Nursing and employed by a nursing facility, and is responsible for coordinating and certifying completion of the resident assessment instrument.

• The MDS Nurse / NAC is ultimately responsible for the oversight and coordination of the federally mandated resident assessment instrument (RAI) process, which includes the MDS assessment, care area assessment, and care plan development or revisions. This is the basis for accurate assessment of each resident.
• Works with the interdisciplinary team (nursing, therapy, dietary, social services, activities, etc.) to complete MDS assessments, analyze care areas, and develop and revise a comprehensive care plan and ensure that compliance is maintained with state and federal guidelines. Attests to the completion of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), which is the key driver of the care plan, quality measures, and used for Medicare payment and many Medicaid reimbursement systems.
• Serves as the expert resource for the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) and is responsible for complying with ethical and timeliness standards when setting ARDs, completing assessments, and upholding Medicare requirements. Review PDPM regulatory with Healthcare Administrator for financial outcomes and performance.
• Assists with the coordination of care delivery by applying advanced nursing clinical skills, completing assessments, analyzing data, educating team members, and coordinating the exchange of resident information across the care settings.
• The complexity of these requirements is paramount to the success of the financial operations in our facilities and the care of our residents. The MDS Nurse / NAC is responsible for ensuring compliance with key federal requirements.
• May supervise MDS Nurse, LPN/LVNs and provide oversight and approval to work of others.

• Minimum Data Set (MDS)
• Care Area Assessment process
• Care plan development
• Care plan implementation
• Evaluation

Provide oversight of assessment completion and transmission to the national repository. Review final validation reports and correct or modify assessments in response to warnings or errors as needed

Coordinate the completion of the comprehensive care plan according to regulatory requirements

Maintain the OBRA and PPS assessment schedules.

Be highly involved in determining skilled level of care for Medicare residents and procuring required Medicare-specific documentation; be responsible for physician certification/recertification of a skilled level of care throughout the Medicare stay; be involved in making Medicare eligibility determinations.

The MDS nurse will spend much of his or her day asking questions and interviewing anyone connected with residents in order to get assessments for the purpose of PDPM reimbursement. The MDS nurse will also look at residents’ BIMS scores and depression scale assessments in determining their care plans. Lead care plan meetings with families.

Responsible for assuring the timely completion of accurate resident assessments and interdisciplinary care plans that meet Federal and State guidelines. This includes identifying resident acuity and needs, helping to determine specific care needs, and communicating needs and expectations to families and responsible parties.

Assess charts and communicate with health care teams to create applicable health care plans for their current and incoming residents.

Coordinate care with case managers for residents utilizing managed care, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), commercial insurance, and other alternate payment models.

Maintain compliance with state-specific regulations regarding the RAI process.

Provide insight and analysis of MDS-based Quality Measures.

Serve as a member of the quality assessment and assurance (QAA) and/or the quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) committees.

Evaluate PDPM financial performance and regularly meet with Healthcare Administrator to review. Review EMAR / PCC or other systems for missed financial opportunities or errors. Ensure MDS system accepts assessments; prevent and resolve errors.

Work closely with hospital discharge planners and physicians to obtain accurate and complete documentation to support ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding and surgical procedures.

Audit and improve staff education/competency as needed to ensure accurate and timely completion of supporting documentation and MDS assessments.

Participate in discharge planning, training, caregiver training, and the provision of resources as needed.

Review resident complaints and grievances associated with the RAI process and care delivery protocols; make written reports of action taken; discuss with the resident, representative, and family as appropriate.

Education And Work Experience

Required Degree

Bachelor’s degree, Nursing

Certificate(s)

• Registered Nurse in the state. RN license must be active and in good standing. Active licensure status maintained.
• MDS Certified required. If not currently certified, may have 1 year to complete the certification in good faith.

Experience

• 1+ year of nursing experience preferred.
• MDS experience and regulatory experience is preferred, including experience with resident assessments (RAI process) and comprehensive resident centered care plans
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience with geriatric clients.
• PDPM experience / financial reimbursement experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Ability

• Use good judgement and make sound, independent decisions.
• Clinical knowledge and technical expertise in nursing.
• Solid understanding of data collection and analysis, including ability to understand financial reimbursement processes.
• Clinical and computer systems awareness and knowledge.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills, including assessing problems and planning / evaluating solutions.
• Effective time management, with ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Patience, understanding and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet objectives and deadlines.
• Professionalism and ability to work through difficult situations.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal, English).
• Understand customer service and team building concepts.
• Ability to monitor and direct the activities of others.
• Ability to enlist cooperation of unit personnel and staff in other departments. Ability to build consensus.
• Ability to maintain good professional relationships with others and to relate well to residents and families.

Compensation Pay Range

$80,591.00 - $113,388.50 per year

Reasonable Pay Estimate

A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $80,591.00 - $113,388.50 per year. There are numerous factors taken into consideration in determining the actual offered rate of pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, experience, skills, education, geographic location, and consideration of internal and external equity.

For full time employees, we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & six paid holidays
• 403(b) with a 3% employer match
• Fitness center use at most facilities.
• Various voluntary benefits:
• Life, AD&D
• Tuition assistance and scholarships
• Employee assistance program
• Legal services, home/auto insurance, discount purchasing program
• Pet Insurance

Covenant Living and CovenantCare Home Health and Hospice are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by local laws, regulations, or ordinances.