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MDS COORDINATOR-CERTIFIED
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Knoxville, TN, 37916
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Overview
Certified MDS Coordinator, Registered Nurse, Transitional Care
PRN/OCC, Variable Hours, Day Shift
Fort Sanders Regional Overview:
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a 444-bed hospital recognized for pairing clinical expertise with advanced medical technology to deliver exceptional care. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, we provide leading-edge treatment for stroke recovery. Our facility also offers specialized services in bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, and advanced orthopedic care.
Fort Sanders Regional is part of Covenant Health, East Tennessee’s largest nonprofit health system and a Becker’s “Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare.” Covenant Health includes nine hospitals and nearly 150 service locations, offering employees a comprehensive benefits package with tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, certification bonuses, and leadership development programs.
Position Summary:
Assesses, plans, monitors and evaluates options and services to meet an individual’s health needs through communication and the coordination of available resources. Enhances service quality and assists in the delivery of Attends seminars on LTC Perspective Payment System and updates on federal and state regulations and disseminates information to staff.
Recruiter: Lacey Spoon || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Will schedule the ARD’s (Assessment Reference Date) for Payment Assessments with the Rehab Director or designee daily, weekly, and as needed in a manner that accurately captures the RUG (Resource Utilization Group) category.
- Will provide a schedule of ARD’s and Assessment types weekly and as needed to the IDT in order to facilitate the timely completion of MDS sections and CAA’s (Care Area Assessments) by each discipline.
- Is expected to use the RAI Manual as a resource during the assessment coding process.
- Will coordinate the completion of MDS sections according to facility assignments.
- Will communicate to members of the IDT as needed based on timeliness of completion. The MDS Coordinator is expected to report any issues with timely completion to the Administrator immediately.
- Will facilitate with the IDT members, the completion of assessments and corresponding due dates for Z0400A-L, Z0500B, V0200B2 and V0200C2 according to the RAI Manual; reference Chapter 2, Section 2.6.
- Will ensure the transmission of Admission and Discharge Assessment and PPS within 14 days of the completion date in Z0500B; reference Chapter 5, Section 5.2.
- Will ensure the transmission of Comprehensive assessments within 14 days of the Care Plan Completion Date (V0200C2).
- Will confirm the transmission file and review the printed initial and final validation report.
- Will facilitate the correction of any fatal errors immediately and retransmit the assessment until an accepted validation report is received.
- Will also address non-fatal errors using the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) System MDS 3.0 Provider User's Guide. Reference RAI Manual Chapter 5, Section 5.5.
- Will maintain validation reports in a transmittal notebook to be organized by month.
- Will facilitate the completion and updating of resident care plans within the MDS Department and the IDT to reflect the resident’s most current needs.
- Will identify residents in need of a Significant Change in Status Assessment based on criteria in the RAI Manual Chapter 2, Section 2.6.
- Will participate the interdisciplinary care plan team meeting weekly and as needed.
- Will participate in facility staff education as it relates to the RAI process, and the coordination of obtaining accurate documentation from direct care staff.
- Will notify the facility Director of Nursing (DON) and/or Administrator of risk areas when coded on the MDS.
- Will compile data reports based on MDS data as requested by the Administrator or DON.
- Will utilize the facility’s software program and computer system to comply with federal requirements for completion and encoding.
- Attends seminars on LTC Perspective Payment System and updates on federal and state regulations and disseminates information to staff.
- Serves as clinical and regulatory resource for all staff.
- Participates in mock surveys in preparation for state and the federal surveys
- Reviews medical records regularly for adherence to care plan. Investigates variances from plan and adjusts plan based upon assessment.
- Verifies billing office information to assure consistent billing of RUG categories.
- Tracks RUG days monthly and reports to Administration on reimbursement status.
- Functions as Infection Control Nurse for TCU. Collects, monitors and disseminates data relating to infection control indicators. Collaborates with hospital Infection Control contact on unit specific and hospital-wide issues.
- Provides education on infection control process and regulations to staff.
- Assists with orientation of new hires regarding HCFA regulations of LTC/PPS.
- Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
- Assists in maintaining a safe environment for all residents, which may include reporting to appropriate managerial staff equipment that is out of order, suspicion of resident abuse, mistreatment, neglect and reporting of suspicion of criminal activities.
- Complete nursing duties when necessary as specified in nursing policies.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.
Minimum Experience:
Two (2) to five (5) years clinical practice is required. Excellent communication skills, leadership skills; ability to accept and incorporate feedback; problem solving and priority setting skills.
Licensure Requirement:
Current RN license, RAC-C (Resident Assessment Coordinator-Credentialed) certification through AANAC required within 90 days of hire into position.
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Frequently asked questions
MDS Coordinators in Knoxville stay updated by attending specialized seminars and training focused on federal and state LTC payment systems. This continuous education helps them implement the latest regulatory changes efficiently, ensuring compliance and optimal care coordination within local healthcare facilities.
New hires must obtain RAC-CT certification through AANAC within 90 days, a critical credential for the MDS Coordinator role at Covenant Health. This ensures they meet industry standards for resident assessment and care planning, enhancing their effectiveness in clinical and regulatory functions.
Unlike standard nursing roles, an MDS Coordinator integrates clinical expertise with administrative tasks—such as scheduling assessments, ensuring accurate coding, and coordinating interdisciplinary teams—focusing heavily on regulatory compliance and data-driven care planning.
Yes, balancing timely ARD scheduling while capturing precise RUG categories demands strong organizational skills. Coordinators must liaise with rehab directors and the interdisciplinary team to ensure assessments align with care plan deadlines and regulatory requirements.
Covenant Health emphasizes leadership development and offers benefits like tuition reimbursement and certification bonuses. This supportive environment encourages MDS Coordinators to grow professionally while delivering high-quality care within a large nonprofit healthcare network.
Given Covenant Health’s status as a top regional employer with multiple hospitals, MDS Coordinators benefit from diverse experiences, leadership programs, and exposure to specialized services, which collectively enhance upward mobility and skill diversification.
In Knoxville, the average MDS Coordinator-Certified earns between $65,000 and $80,000 annually, reflecting the region’s demand and cost of living. This range aligns competitively with similar roles in the Midwest, considering Covenant Health’s nonprofit status and comprehensive benefits.
Knoxville shows increasing demand for certified MDS Coordinators due to its expanding healthcare infrastructure and aging population. Job seekers benefit from stable opportunities and can expect competitive hiring processes with local employers like Covenant Health.
Local healthcare trends and patient demographics require MDS Coordinators in Knoxville to be adept at managing complex care plans, infection control, and interdisciplinary collaboration, often adapting to dynamic facility needs and regulatory updates unique to the region.
At Covenant Health, MDS Coordinators blend clinical nursing duties with administrative oversight, including compliance tracking, billing verification, and staff education. This balance demands adaptability and a deep understanding of both patient care and regulatory frameworks.