Regional MDS Specialist

Otterbein SeniorLife; Lebanon (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision & Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Otterbein SeniorLife in Ohio seeks a Northern Regional MDS Specialist to lead MDS coding accuracy, Medicare/Medicaid scoring, and quality measures across multiple ministries. The role supports MDS Nurses and partners with the Corporate Clinical Quality Department to ensure best practices and regulatory compliance.

Focus areas include education, audits, and ongoing guidance to maintain reimbursement accuracy while coordinating with interdisciplinary teams and ensuring high-quality resident care

Qualifications

• Proven track record of excellence in MDS completion, coordination, and documentation.
• Ability to provide effective education to individuals and groups.
• Detail oriented with strong time management and prioritization.

Responsibilities

• Meet/exceed MDS goals and critical success factors.
• Collaborate with MDS Transition Nurse to ensure stability during transitions or new developments.
• Provide ongoing education and guidance to MDS teams for coding accuracy and CMS/state regulations.
• Coordinate with Corporate Clinical Quality and inter-disciplinary teams for best practices.
• Monitor QM/QIP measures and reimbursement accuracy.
• Perform regular audits of MDS documentation and care planning.

Skills

MDS coordination

MDS completion

Documentation skills

Teaching ability

Communication skills

Time management

Education

RN with BSN

Job description

Why work for Otterbein SeniorLife:

For more than 100 years, Otterbein has provided senior housing options rooted in respect and community. We’re a non‑profit 501(c)(3) health and human service organization, so our values and initiatives are focused on serving our residents.

Overview

The Northern Regional MDS Specialist is responsible for driving results through education and compliance to accurate assessment and quality measure results. Specialist will provide support and guidance to the MDS Nurses of multiple ministries while also working cooperatively with the Corporate Clinical Quality Department to promote best practices in the areas of clinical excellence and risk management to all locations. This will include the ability to provide effective communication and education both one on one and to the entire disciplinary team to maintain accurate MDS coding, Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care scores/rates as well as education regarding Quality Measures, Quality Incentive Points, and regulation updates. Additionally, the ability to perform routine audits to ensure accuracy of coding, documentation, and care planning, participation in mock surveys, analysis of MDS quality and results, coordination of smooth transitions during periods of change in MDS Coordinators or in the event of new community development.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Develop strong partnership and joint ownership with location leadership and MDS Nurse to:

• Meet/exceed MDS goals, and meet/exceed Critical Success Factors such as:

  
  
  
  
  • Accuracy of reimbursement
  
  
  • Accuracy of clinical coding
  
  
  • Accuracy of publicly reported measures such as 5 Star Quality Measures
  
  
  
  



• Collaborate with the MDS Transition Nurse to provide stability of the MDS Department in the event of transitions, or new developments




• Provide on-going education and guidance to the MDS teams at each location to ensure accuracy of coding and reimbursement, organization of systems, and compliance with CMS and State of Ohio regulations.

  
  
  
  
  • This will occur through one on one training sessions, as well sessions with the entire interdisciplinary team, monthly and as needed conference calls, trouble‑shooting/question and answer communication via email and phone calls with the interdisciplinary teams
  
  
  
  



• Collaborate with internal departments, Corporate and community partners




• Remain current with CMS and State of Ohio regulations as they pertain to MDS, reimbursement, managed care including Perennial, PDPM, and the resultant effect on Otterbein




• Provide orientation and support to new MDS nurses




• Guidance to the interdisciplinary team regarding assessment practices and care planning best practices, as well as care plan audits




• Oversight of:

  
  
  
  
  • MDS accuracy at each location
  
  
  • Quality Metric Results such as Quality Measures (QM) and Quality Incentive Points (QIP)
  
  
  • MDS Documentation requirements in the EMR System; i.e. Point Click Care – such as Care Plan Library, Risk Assessments and forms
  
  
  
  



• Analyze reimbursement results and provision of education/guidance regarding areas of opportunity




• Monthly identification of Medicaid case mix opportunities with each MDS team as appropriate to ensure capture of accurate results.




• Participation in provider organizations as they relate to the MDS and quality programs




• Build relationships with a network of key professional partners in order to stay current on the latest MDS updates and requirements




• Interact positively with visitors, residents, family members and community members and be able to effectively address a variety of issues and circumstances.




• Develop and strengthen collaborative working relationships with internal departments and staff including identifying and helping address areas of improvement to enhance the quality of living and programs at Otterbein.




• Participate in mock surveys with the Clinical Quality Department focusing on MDS and care plan accuracy




• Perform other job duties as assigned

SPECIAL SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Proven track record of excellence in MDS completion, MDS coordination, ADR completion, and documentation skills


• Must possess exceptional teaching ability in order to provide education both one on one and in large group settings


• Ability to develop strategic and tactical plans to meet/exceed objectives


• Must be detail oriented, able to prioritize and utilize effective time management skills and be flexible to adjust to impromptu situations on a regular basis


• Must have strong interpersonal skills and possess excellent communication skills (listening, writing, speaking)


• Outstanding customer service, good judgment and decision‑making skills


• Must be able to communicate with older persons (and associated families) who may be ill, disabled and/or emotional.


• Strong computer skills; experience with an electronic medical records system such as Optimus EMR


• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• RN with BSN preferred.


• 8-10 years of MDS experience, with MDS certification a significant plus.


• At least 5 years of Clinical management experience.

BENEFITS*

Health & Wellness

• Medical Insurance with free virtual doctor visits


• Vision & Dental Insurance


• Pet Insurance


• Life Insurance


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support

Financial Security

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match


• Paid Time Off (PTO) that accrues immediately from day one


• Paid Holidays for a healthy work‑life balance


• Access to DailyPay, enabling you to access up to 100% of your earned wages on a daily basis


• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year for ANY field of study


• Tuition Discounts through exclusive partnerships with the University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, and Hondros College


• Employee‑Sponsored Crisis Fund available for those facing unforeseen challenges


• Legal & Identity Theft Protection

Growth & Development

• University Partnerships with University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, and Hondros College for exclusive tuition discounts


• Multiple Partner Discounts available for various products and services through Access Perks


• Access to 1,000s of hours of personal and professional development material through RightNow Media @ Work

*Some benefits, including PTO and tuition reimbursement, are based on hours worked.

Why work for Otterbein SeniorLife:

For more than 100 years, Otterbein has provided senior housing options rooted in respect and community. We’re a non‑profit 501(c)(3) health and human service organization, so our values and initiatives are focused on serving our residents.

Otterbein SeniorLife consists of lifestyle communities, revolutionary small house neighborhoods, home health, and hospice care in Ohio and Indiana. We offer different lifestyle options for seniors through independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehab, memory support, respite care, in‑home care, and hospice services.