Career Center

The Resident Assessment/MDS Coordinator (RAC) in Long Term Care located in the Community Living Center (CLC) is a professional registered nurse with a broad-based clinical knowledge and application in working with the adult and older adult population and appointed to work in tandem with physicians, nurses, and other RACs. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC-CT) certification, Experience in MDS greater than 1 year BSN preferred Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity (including depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours). lifting (>50 pounds), carrying (>50 pounds). Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. ["Duties: Coordinates, develops, maintains and completes the MDS/RAI (Minimum Data Set/Resident Assessment Instrument) process for residents. Ensures compliance with Federal guidelines. Certifies completion of MDS. Completes care plans and revisions. Sets RUG levels for each resident. Responds to resident change in condition by monitoring physical and psychosocial state. Audits resident care plans. Coordinates, conducts and leads multi-discipline team meetings and care plan meetings. Tracks residents due for MDS review, develops and communicates changes to individuals involved. Reviews Resident Care Plans and Nursing Care Directives quarterly and prn. Functions as coordinator of restorative nursing as needed. Utilizes the Quality Measures data to enhance the quality of care provided to our residents. Evaluates the Resident Assessment Instrument - Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) assessment process according to guidelines for Long Term Care. Recommends changes that will assist management with process improvement of policies and procedures. Concurrently monitors related medical record documentation for consistency with accurate RAI-MDS coding. Works effectively with others to update policy and procedure memorandums as related to the RAI-MDS process. Assesses staff educational needs to implement program or service practice changes related to RAI-MDS processes. Develops and implements an educational plan for the staff nurses and other disciplines to ensure ongoing education for the completion of the RAI-MDS process. Ensures RAI-MDS training for all new staff in extended care with initial and ongoing competency as needed. Promotes team-building and mentoring skills in order to facilitate the on-going success of the RAI-MDS program throughout the CLC. Assures \"It's All About Me\" tool is updated during care planning to reflect veterans current preferences Monitors Veteran care plans and documentation in veteran's record to ensure documentation is consistent, reflects veteran's current status, and is written in \"I\" format Participates in CLC Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee Participates in Fall/Skin Committee and others, as appropriate or assigned Participates in Long Term Care Survey Readiness Process Makes clinical rounds to assure veteran assessments/care plans reflect current status Prepares appropriate reports Uses professional standards of care to serve as a resource person for the interdisciplinary team and all resident care providers. Perform timely completion and review for errors to ensure all sequenced assessments and tracking forms are completed, batched and submitted. Reviews final validation report for records transmitted with errors (warnings and/or rejected records) and makes corrections before retransmitting. Work with others to identify quality deficiencies and submits the plan of action with the appropriate nurse manager/leadership. Assures accurate coding for reimbursement and clinical assessment of MDS Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Tour is dependent on the needs of the Service\nTelework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]