MDS Special Projects

Lionstone Healthcare; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Lionstone Healthcare is seeking an MDS Special Projects Nurse (LPN) to support skilled nursing centers with focused MDS process improvements and audits. You will partner with facility leadership, MDS teams, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary teams to enhance BIMS, PHQ, and Section GG accuracy and compliance.

The role requires travel to centers as needed to assess practices, provide education, and implement best practices that promote regulatory compliance and reimbursement integrity.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of MDS experience in skilled nursing or long-term care settings.
• Strong knowledge of MDS 3.0, PDPM, BIMS, PHQ interviews and Section GG.
• Familiarity with CMS regulations and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Support centers through focused MDS process improvement initiatives.
• Conduct MDS audits and clinical reviews for accuracy and compliance.
• Educate and mentor MDS Coordinators, nurses, therapists, and care teams.
• Travel to centers to assess practices, implement best practices, and establish sustainable processes.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to center leadership.

Skills

MDS 3.0

PDPM reimbursement

BIMS assessments

PHQ interviews

Section GG coding

CMS regulations

Travel willingness

Education

LPN license

Job description

a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}The MDS Special Projects Nurse (LPN) is responsible for supporting skilled nursing centers through focused MDS process improvement initiatives. This role partners directly with facility leadership, MDS teams, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary care teams to improve the accuracy and consistency of BIMS assessments, PHQ interviews, depression coding, and Section GG scoring.The MDS Special Projects Nurse will travel to centers as needed to assess current practices, conduct audits, provide education, implement best practices, and establish sustainable processes that promote MDS accuracy, regulatory compliance, and reimbursement integrity.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesMDS Auditing & Clinical ReviewConduct focused audits of MDS assessments and supporting documentation.Review BIMS, PHQ interviews, depression coding, and Section GG documentation for accuracy and compliance.Identify opportunities for improvement related to coding accuracy, assessment completion, and interdisciplinary collaboration.Ensure MDS documentation supports coded items and reimbursement outcomes.Process Development & ImplementationEvaluate current center processes and workflows related to resident assessments and MDS completion.Develop and implement standardized best practices for BIMS, PHQ, and Section GG completion.Establish sustainable systems that improve assessment accuracy and consistency across centers.Partner with facility leadership to implement corrective action and process improvement plans.Education & TrainingProvide onsite coaching and education to MDS Coordinators, nurses, therapists, and interdisciplinary team members.Train staff on accurate administration of BIMS and PHQ interviews.Educate clinical teams on Section GG scoring requirements and documentation expectations.Support ongoing competency development through mentorship and hands-on training.Collaboration & SupportServe as a resource and subject matter expert for MDS-related questions and process improvement initiatives.Collaborate with center leadership to address opportunities identified through audits and reviews.Assist centers in improving documentation practices that support quality outcomes and reimbursement accuracy.Communicate findings, recommendations, and progress updates to leadership.a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}RequiredCurrent, active LPN license in good standing.Minimum of 3–5 years of MDS experience in a skilled nursing or long-term care setting.Strong knowledge of:MDS 3.0PDPM reimbursement methodologyBIMS assessmentsPHQ interviews and depression codingSection GG coding and documentation requirementsCMS regulations and compliance standardsExperience conducting medical record reviews, MDS audits, and staff education.Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.Ability and willingness to travel to assigned centers as needed.PreferredRAC-CT certification.Experience supporting multiple facilities or special MDS projects.Background in clinical education, auditing, or performance improvement.