Ever wonder what makes an MDS Nurse far different from any other nurse? Get to know their job description and you might one to become a MDS Nurse too.

What is MDS Nurse?

MDS (Minimum Data Set) Nurse is a registered nurse that performs assessments on patients as mandated by the federal state in any health care facility. MDS Nurse collects important data and compiles it and reports it to the health facility. They work together with MDS Care Plan Coordinator.

Duties of a MDS Nurse

Being a nurse is not just the duties of a MDS Nurse. It involves the following:

1. Keep updated with the federal and state regulations including the professional standards.
2. They monitor the patient charts and ensure that they are properly encoded and transmit it electronically in timely manner and coordinate with other team to carry out the treatment for patient.
3. They make sure that they follow all the policies set by the health care facility and agency.

Work Condition of a MDS Nurse

MDS Nurse works in an office and health care facilities where their patient is admitted. During working hours they can be seen sitting, standing, bending and moving. Most of their time is interrupted for any emergency cases. They interact with the residents, visitors and other personnel who are in the health care facility. They are sometimes required to work beyond normal working hours and even on weekends when necessary. Their work environment can be risky because they are prone to fall, burns, odors and others. They too are exposed to diseases, infectious waste and other ill health conditions. They too communicate with other medical staff when the job requires it.

Educational Requirements of a MDS Nurse

MDS Nurse is registered nurse. They need to have a working experience in health care facility, nursing home and hospital. Other licensed nurse and vocational nurses can become a MDS nurse too. Once they complete their bachelor’s degree in nursing and any associated nursing program they are required to be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. They will undergo training on medical terms, anatomy, clinical skills and other topics in order for them to be accredited.

Other requirements that they must go through is that they pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN) that is offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators also offers certification programs to become a MDS nurse where they need to take a series of online courses to finish it.

Occupation and Progress of a MDS Nurse

There is an excellent career growth not only for MDS Nurse but as well as anyone who is into nursing field. They can become a MDS Coordinator if they good in their field. There is a projection that more registered nurses will be needed up to 2016 by as much 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic. The med-year income of MDS nurse usually ranges to $ 57,280.

MDS Nurse and any other related job is quite a starring career too. If you are in the field of nursing then you can purse it as an MDS nurse as long as you pass all the certification program offered by the federal state.

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