MDS Nurse

About the role

• MDS Nurse (LVN/LPN) - Full Time
• Western Slope Healthcare Center
• Placerville, CA
• Full Time | $42.16-$46.80 per hour DOE
• Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Residents

Western Slope Healthcare Center is seeking a detail-oriented and compassionate MDS Nurse (LVN/LPN) to join our team in Placerville, California.

The MDS Nurse plays a critical role in ensuring accurate resident assessments, comprehensive care planning, regulatory compliance, and appropriate reimbursement. This position works closely with nursing, therapy, dietary, social services, and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure each resident's needs are accurately assessed and addressed.

If you are an organized nursing professional who takes pride in clinical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and quality resident care, we would love to hear from you!

Pay & Benefits

• $42.16-$46.80 per hour DOE
• Full-time position
• Supportive interdisciplinary team
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on resident outcomes
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits may be available for eligible employees

General Purpose

The MDS Nurse (LVN/LPN) is responsible for coordinating and completing Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments in compliance with federal and state regulations. This role ensures accurate documentation of resident care, supports reimbursement processes, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to promote quality outcomes for residents.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete MDS assessments and Care Area Assessments (CAAs) within required timelines.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of resident clinical documentation to support individualized care planning and reimbursement.
• Maintain compliance with CMS, state, federal, and facility guidelines.
• Coordinate the RAI/MDS process from assessment through completion and submission.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to develop and maintain individualized resident care plans.
• Monitor resident progress and update care plans as appropriate.
• Participate in resident care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Ensure MDS submissions meet regulatory requirements for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
• Assist with internal and external audits, regulatory surveys, and record reviews by providing accurate documentation and reports.
• Stay current with changes to CMS regulations, RAI guidelines, MDS requirements, and skilled nursing documentation standards.
• Work closely with nursing staff, therapy, social services, dietary, activities, and other departments to gather accurate and comprehensive resident information.
• Review clinical documentation for consistency, completeness, and accuracy.
• Identify discrepancies or missing information and work with appropriate departments to obtain clarification or correction.
• Provide education and guidance to nursing and other staff regarding documentation standards, MDS requirements, and care planning.
• Communicate effectively with residents and families regarding assessments, care planning, and resident needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility information in accordance with HIPAA and facility policies.
• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities as assigned.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by facility leadership.

Supervisory Requirements

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Current, active LVN/LPN license in the state of practice.
• Prior experience in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility preferred.
• Previous MDS/RAI experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of MDS 3.0, the RAI process, Care Area Assessments (CAAs), and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement guidelines.
• Knowledge of skilled nursing facility clinical documentation and care planning requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet required regulatory deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Microsoft Suite products.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Language Skills

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Ability to read and understand technical procedures, policy and procedure manuals, regulatory guidance, and other written materials related to resident care and MDS requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions from residents, families, managers, employees, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Must be able to effectively communicate information concerning a resident's condition, care needs, treatment, and progress.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to understand and interpret basic clinical and reimbursement-related calculations and information.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to analyze resident information, identify discrepancies or missing documentation, and determine appropriate follow-up.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions consistent with applicable regulations, professional standards, and facility policies.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

• Current and active LVN/LPN license in the state of practice is required.
• Must maintain all required continuing education and professional licensing requirements.
• Must remain in good standing with the applicable State Board of Nursing at all times.
• Must maintain any required MDS/RAI training or certifications.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office/Microsoft Suite products.
• Additional MDS-related education or certification is preferred.

Physical Demands

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Prolonged use of a desktop or laptop computer.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and talk, read or hear.
• Frequent use of all office-related equipment to include; copier/scanner/fax, telephone, and calculator.

Travel by auto or airline may be required.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.