MDS Care Plan Coordinator

As an MDS Care Plan Coordinator at Plaza, your primary responsibilities include performing nursing assessments, completing the MDS, CAAs, and Care Plans, and coordinating with the interdisciplinary team. You will lead care plan meetings, ensure compliance with nursing practices and regulations, and update schedules for due MDS assessments, making your role crucial in maintaining high standards of resident care.

The MDS Care Plan Coordinator position at Plaza requires either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, as well as an LPN or RN license. Additionally, having 2-4 years of related experience or training is essential, and experience in long-term care or as an MDS Coordinator is preferred to ensure a smooth transition into this important role.

A typical day for an MDS Care Plan Coordinator at Plaza involves reviewing and completing MDS assessments, conducting care plan meetings with the interdisciplinary team, and overseeing the input of data into the computer systems. You will also monitor compliance, manage schedules, and provide educational support to facility staff, ensuring that residents receive optimal care.

Plaza is committed to the growth of its MDS Care Plan Coordinator through various means such as ongoing education, mentorship, and training opportunities related to the RAI process and nursing best practices. We believe in empowering our staff, enabling you to excel in your role and further develop your skills in the healthcare field.

Yes, while not mandatory, having long-term care experience is highly valued for the MDS Care Plan Coordinator role at Plaza. This experience equips candidates with a better understanding of the unique needs of residents in a long-term care setting and enhances their ability to effectively coordinate care plans and assessments.

To respond effectively, you should explain that the MDS (Minimum Data Set) is a comprehensive assessment tool used in long-term care to evaluate a resident's needs. Emphasize your familiarity with the various components and how you ensure accuracy and compliance with the RAI manual when conducting assessments.

When answering this question, highlight your ability to create structured schedules and prioritize assessments based on due dates and urgency. Discuss how communication with your interdisciplinary team plays a crucial role in managing your workload efficiently.

Share a specific example where you successfully led a care plan meeting, focusing on your leadership abilities, collaborative brainstorming, and the constructive outcomes achieved. Mention how this impacted the residents’ care and strengthened team dynamics.

When addressing discrepancies, explain your procedure for identifying issues, such as thorough reviews and audits. Emphasize your commitment to maintaining integrity and compliance by taking corrective actions and communicating transparently with the team.

Discuss your approach to training—whether through formal workshops, one-on-one mentorship, or creating informative documents. Highlight the importance of empowering staff through knowledge and hands-on practice to improve overall compliance and care quality.

Your response should reflect your alignment with Plaza's mission to connect people to life, as well as your passion for long-term care. Share your enthusiasm for contributing to a caring, collaborative environment where you can make a meaningful impact on residents' lives.

A good answer would identify common challenges such as managing compliance changes or interacting with various team members. Discuss how your proactive problem-solving skills and adaptability will help you navigate these challenges effectively.

Mention your strategies for staying informed about industry changes, such as attending workshops, pursuing continuing education courses, and engaging with professional organizations relevant to nursing and long-term care.

When answering, specify any software tools you’ve used (like CASPER). Discuss your adaptability to learning new systems and your comfort level with data entry and analysis tasks to demonstrate your tech-savviness in the role.

Explain how you prioritize resident preferences and goals during care plan development. Highlight your commitment to collaborating with family members and the interdisciplinary team to create tailored solutions that respect resident dignity and individuality.