MDS Coordinator Certification and Training: Online Programs
Discover online programs for Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator certification and training. Improve your skills and career prospects in this specialized healthcare role.
A Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator plays a vital role in the healthcare sector, ensuring the accurate assessment and documentation of patient data in long-term care facilities.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an MDS Coordinator, online certification and training programs offer a flexible and convenient option.
In this article, we will discuss the role of an MDS Coordinator and how professionals in this field can enhance their skills online with training and certification programs.
What Does an MDS Coordinator Do?
MDS coordinators are healthcare professionals who already have experience as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). To become an MDS coordinator, professionals are usually already licensed RNs.
MDS coordinators are responsible for making assessments and accurately documenting patient data in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.
They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, develop plans of care, and facilitate communication between health care professionals, patients, and their families.
These professionals are responsible for accurate data management to ensure that patients are receiving the best care available to them.
MDS coordinators play a critical role in maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records, which informs the delivery of quality care and assists in the reimbursement process.
Online Training and Certificate Options for MDS Coordinators
Although certification is not required to become an MDS coordinator, earning additional accreditation can build skills, increase knowledge, and improve employment opportunities.
Several educational companies that offer both online and hybrid-based certifications for MDS professionals have multiple options for obtaining online training without accreditation.
1. American Association for Nurse Assessment Coordination
Offered by the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination (AANAC), the MDS Coordinator Certification Program is designed for those involved in MDS coordination.
To become certified as an MDS coordinator, professionals can earn the MDS Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC-CT) certification, which covers the MDS assessment process, care planning, and regulatory compliance.
Participants in this 10-course program can expect lessons on the following topics:
- Documentation requirements
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- Beneficiary Notices
- Agreed billing
- Medicare
- Medical reviews and monitoring
- Federal quality measures
- Medical Reimbursement Management
2. Leading edge
LeadingAge offers several online MDS training courses for MDS coordinators and other professionals involved in long-term care.
Their courses include topics such as MDS coding, diagnostic accuracy, care planning, and regulatory updates.
3. RELIAS
Relias is an online learning platform which provides MDS training programs.
They offer a comprehensive curriculum for MDS coordinators, covering topics such as MDS assessment, RAI process, care planning, and reimbursement.
Additionally, CMAC certification is available to professionals who wish to build and test their skills in Residential Assessment Instrumentation (RAI).
4. MDS Consultants
MDS Consultants is a company that specializes in MDS consulting and training. Their website offers both free resources and no-fee certifications for MDS professionals.
They offer online MDS educational programs designed for MDS coordinators, including MDS assessment, coding accuracy, care planning, and regulatory updates.
Job Outlook for MDS Coordinators
The job outlook for MDS coordinators is directly related to registered nurses (RNs), nurses who have an associate degree in nursing and are licensed by the state.
The demand for MDS coordinators is expected to increase in the coming years due to an aging population and the increasing need for long-term care services.
Since MDS coordinators are typically licensed RNs, they are classified under the same occupation. However, being an MDS coordinator can have an impact on salary in some professional environments.
With the growing demand in this field, there are currently over three million RNs in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of RNs has increased by 0.3% and wages have also increased by 0.2%.
Learn more about online training for MDS coordinators.
With the increasing needs of an aging population, there is a demand for skilled professionals who can effectively organize and document patient data in long-term care settings.
By obtaining certification and training in MDS coordination, you can gain
