Travel MDS Coordinator Jobs

The average annual salary for MDS coordinators can vary significantly depending on factors such as geographical location, level of experience, and the type of healthcare facility. According to data from online job and salary platforms such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Payscale, the average salary for an MDS coordinator in the United States is estimated to be between $55,000 and $75,000 per year. Higher salaries are often earned by those with extensive experience or additional certifications.

An Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator is a specialized nurse who plays a crucial role in healthcare facilities, particularly within long-term care and rehabilitation centers. MDS coordinator duties include assessing the health status of patients using a federally mandated resident assessment instrument known as the Minimum Data Set. This comprehensive assessment tool covers a range of areas including physical and mental health, social capabilities, and general well-being. The data generated through these MDS assessments is then used in several ways, from creating personalized care plans to determining levels of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

To fulfill MDS coordinator responsibilities, nurses should possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail due to the complex nature of patient assessments and data collection, as well as the need for timely completion of assessments. Excellent communication skills are also necessary as the role requires substantial interaction with patients, families, and an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals such as physicians, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.

Education & License Requirements

To become an MDS coordinator, one must first embark on a nursing career pathway. This typically involves obtaining a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited institution. After successful completion of their nursing degree, they need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to gain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Subsequently, prospective MDS coordinators are advised to gain clinical nursing experience, especially within long-term care settings, as they will be dealing largely with patients requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.

Certifications

To specialize as an MDS coordinator, it's beneficial to complete a certification program that affirms your expertise in this area. A popular choice is the Resident Assessment Coordinator Certified (RAC-CT) program offered by the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination (AANAC). This certification is designed to provide nurse assessment coordinators with MDS coordinator requirements and knowledge to accurately complete the assessment process to meet the needs of residents using the MDS tool.

MDS coordinator positions are available in a variety of healthcare settings, with a significant presence in long-term care and rehabilitation centers. These facilities rely heavily on the Minimum Data Set and resident assessment coordinators to evaluate patient conditions and plan personalized care. Other potential employers include hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Geographically, these roles are available across the United States and beyond, in both urban and rural areas.

While compensation offers can vary greatly depending on the contract or agency offering, pay packages for travel MDS coordinator jobs typically have four major components: hourly taxable wages, meals and incidentals, housing, and travel.

Hourly Pay

Full-time nurses working at healthcare facilities receive a salary, but most travel nurse employers offer hourly wages. Every pay package must include a taxable hourly wage, and the amount can vary depending on the shift, location, and specialty required of the assignment.

Housing

Housing payments can be included in a payment from a staffing agency. This is typically offered in two ways. Either the company is providing housing, or the traveler is taking the housing stipend. It is more beneficial for the traveler to take the housing stipend for two primary reasons. First, they will have a choice in where they stay. Everyone’s definitions of comfortable and acceptable are different. The second reason the housing stipend is more beneficial for them is that it can be given as a nontaxable amount.

Meals and Incidentals

Also known as per diems, meal and incidental stipends provide a daily budget for daily living expenses. These standards vary depending on the cost of living in cities and states across the country.

Travel Expenses

Travel is the last portion of the pay package. Many recruiters may not even offer travel and instead put that money into the per diems or housing for their traveler so they are receiving the benefits over the entire contract, not just at the very beginning or end of the contract. While a travel stipend can be used to cover the cost of a flight for the traveler, it is more often than not used to subsidize the traveler’s expenses to and from an assignment. Travel expenses can be offered as a reimbursement rate per mile, though many agencies will opt to offer a flat rate to and from an assignment.

Travel MDS coordinators can find work through recruitment agencies and marketplaces, which means you have better access to job boards to choose your schedule, location, and salary. When you begin browsing for MDS coordinator jobs, be sure to consider the housing options, the benefits, the guaranteed hours policy, and the recruiting company’s overall reputation.

The good news is that Fusion Marketplace has everything you need when it comes to finding the perfect job for MDS coordinators. Here, you have the freedom to explore careers, compare benefits, packages, and staffing agencies—all in one place. So find your next job today.