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ttitude is everything … and I love my job!
       Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinators serve a unique role. We are nurses who have the best of both worlds. We assess and develop comprehensive care plans. We combine health and business. The MDS coordinator role may be full-time or part-time. Whatever it is, it is one that commands respect. The responsibility of completing the MDS for a building or unit may be overwhelming for some, not so for others. There is no other job like it throughout the long-term care industry.
       So, what is your job? Are you responsible for completing the MDS for subacute residents only, or also for long-term care? Have you ever wanted to change roles or facilities because you were bored? Many MDS coordinators may change facilities due to management, location, pay, or other job responsibilities—all perfectly legitimate reasons.
       In a comprehensive survey¹ conducted by 2 career consultants, 15,000 persons were asked why they stayed in their organizations. The top 5 factors, across all industries, were:
1. Exciting, challenging work
2. Chances to learn and grow
3. Great people to work with
4. Fair pay
5. A great boss.
       The MDS coordinator in every building is, however, unique. And every person brings his or her own nursing experience and personalities. I have worked with wonderful people who are conscientious about details. One must be detail-oriented and able to work with others. The job of the MDS coordinator is not easy, and anyone who has ever been one can tell you that.

The Mood on the Floor

       Job satisfaction among MDS coordinators was high in an informal poll I did in the early part of January. Several MDS coordinators cited combining the business aspect with the nursing role as the most rewarding aspect, as many are involved with billing due to Medicare reimbursement. Others said that getting to know everyone was rewarding, since they were responsible for completing the MDS for all the residents. Personally, I love technical knowledge. Every job involves some parts that require special training.
       Good MDS coordinators love having a rapport with the residents and the nursing staff. We get to meet and assess all the residents. We communicate as a team member with all the disciplines. At this level, we can make suggestions for improvements in caring for residents, which, in the long run, improves care overall. The MDS coordinator is almost always involved in healthcare policy.
       Another MDS coordinator said that learning was always foremost and that she liked connecting with the state MDS coordinator and other MDS coordinators to learn the best way of coding certain items. Many states and companies have classes for one to learn how to complete the MDS, and there are many books on how to complete it.
       There is a lot to be said about being involved in the reimbursement of the care of the resident. Most nurses are not interested in the financial aspects and do not want to be the office manager or bookkeeper. Still, being the one who determines the best Assessment Reference Date (ARD) with rehabilitation is powerful role that ensures the success of a building. The MDS coordinator drives the team to get the best Resource Utilization Groups (RUG) level.
       The well-suited MDS coordinator pays attention to details. Surveyors who examine the information will be looking to paint a picture of the resident. The Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs) explain and expound on the MDS and the care plan is developed (using the MDS as a basis for care). We know the care plan can include more than what is included in the MDS. The person who makes sure this process takes place, then, must be very organized. Staying on top of the schedule for admission, quarterly, and annual assessments shows a willingness to keep the facility on schedule.
       When the surveyors check the MDS, they look for accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of the MDS is of utmost importance. But you already knew that, correct? So, if an error is discovered, the MDS coordinator corrects it and submits a new MDS.
       “Bringing up reports” for the facility is another important aspect of the job. With our expertise, we know the screens and wording to click on, which makes us more knowledgeable than just someone who knows a word-processing program. The Quality Indicators/Quality Measures (QI/QM) reports are among the most important tools of a nursing facility. Transmission of information may seem easy for some, but one has to learn to do it with confidence throughout the process.
       Because of the importance of the MDS for the long-term care resident, an MDS coordinator must be dedicated to the job. I have found this with all the MDS coordinators I interviewed. We are a conscientious group who are dedicated to the process of the MDS. You will see that absenteeism is minimal or even nonexistent.
       In this day and age, the MDS coordinator has be to be computer-literate. Anyone who has ever had to learn to turn on a computer knows that there is a certain degree of knowledge one must have before acquiring this job. One can learn assessment and interpersonal skills or the task of administering medications and documentation, but learning to manage the computer system requires prior knowledge of computers.
       One MDS coordinator brought up the flexibility of the hours. Indeed, while most of us have predetermined hours, there is usually some flexibility. There is also some flexibility when is comes to completing assessments and developing a care plan schedule, as long as the job gets done. Coming in early or staying late is very common, though. A charge nurse working with a team does not have this flexibility. So, the MDS coordinator can pretty much set his or her own hours.
       But sometimes you need a break. I know that there can be high and low times in the workload, and the MDS coordinator might need to work day and night sometimes to get the job done. Other aspects of job dissatisfaction include difficulty with personnel and administration, not to mention that other term at the end of all job descriptions: “other duties as assigned.” It is easy to get pulled into other directions, just because we are nurses. This might include audits, taking a call, or working the floor. It can foster frustration with the primary job. Discussing these problems with your supervisor as soon as possible will avert others down the road.
       Computer problems are a cause of frustration. We all know the demands of the job, and, because of the “information superhighway,” we cruise along normally. But when there is a breakdown, we can be frustrated in our position. What to do? Have an MDS on paper, along with RAPs, so that there are no deficiencies.

Conclusion

       I know many nurses who fulfilled the role of the MDS coordinator only to find other employment or different jobs, such as becoming a charge nurse or a Director of Nursing (DON). The role of the MDS coordinator can be monotonous. I believe that finding the tasks that are the most satisfying enables one to fulfill one’s career goals and maintain one’s happiness.
       When burn out happens, it helps to get a different perspective from other people. It can happen to anyone. A person with a good ear to hear your problems can be your supervisor or even your best friend. Everyone who is an MDS coordinator knows how hard this job is. But there are difficult aspects in all jobs. Loving work is a possibility for all of us. It is up to you to make the most of it, do a great job, and enjoy the day!