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Mds coordinator vs nurse

The differences between mds coordinators and nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an mds coordinator and a nurse. Additionally, an mds coordinator has an average salary of $71,862, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.

The top three skills for an mds coordinator include patients, rehabilitation and assessment process. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Mds coordinator vs nurse overview

MDS CoordinatorNurse
Yearly salary$71,862$57,564
Hourly rate$34.55$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs239,142696,124
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does an mds coordinator do?

An MDS coordinator is responsible for monitoring the conditions of the residents within a nursing care facility and ensuring that the institution provides high-quality care services. MDS coordinators conduct data management analysis to develop efficient treatment plans and activities, gathering patients' information, and listening to their needs and concerns. They also coordinate with other medical health professionals for further assessments, as well as reaching out to organizations for social services. An MDS coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in formulating strategic techniques to enhance the facility's operations and medical functions.

What does a nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Mds coordinator vs nurse salary

Mds coordinators and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

MDS CoordinatorNurse
Average salary$71,862$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $95,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityLos Altos, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyCitiConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between mds coordinator and nurse education

There are a few differences between an mds coordinator and a nurse in terms of educational background:

MDS CoordinatorNurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Mds coordinator vs nurse demographics

Here are the differences between mds coordinators' and nurses' demographics:

MDS CoordinatorNurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.5% Female, 91.5%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between mds coordinator and nurse duties and responsibilities

Mds coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage timely completion of MDS assessments by other departments, appropriate CAA completion, scheduling of MDS.
  • Close attention to ARD and coordination with rehab director to attain maximum reimbursement under PPS and follow OBRA guidelines.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Perform assessments of residents in facility per Medicaid/Medicare guidelines, data entry of assessments, transmit assessments to Medicaid and Medicare.
  • Perform assessments using the MDS form for LTC and transmit those to the state for Medicare revenue and compliance.
  • Charge nurse responsible for 50 SNF patients and supervise 60 staff members, providing formal and informal education for patient/family.
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Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
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Mds coordinator vs nurse skills

Common mds coordinator skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Rehabilitation, 14%
  • Assessment Process, 5%
  • Quality Care, 5%
  • Medicare, 4%
  • Medicaid, 4%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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