MDS Director

Position Summary:

At the Long Island State Veterans Home the MDS Director is responsible for the full Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process at the Long Island State Veterans Home. This leadership role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments while supporting high-quality, veteran-centered care. The MDS Director ensures regulatory compliance, drives reimbursement accuracy, and collaborates with all clinical disciplines to maintain the highest standards of documentation, care planning, and clinical integrity.

Duties of a MDS Director may include the following but are not limited to:

MDS & RAI Process Oversight

• Direct and manage all aspects of the MDS 3.0 assessment process, including scheduling, completion, submission, and quality audits.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including CMS RAI Manual requirements and NYS DOH standards.
• Oversee Care Area Assessments (CAAs) and ensure that interdisciplinary care plans accurately reflect resident needs, goals, and preferences.

Interdisciplinary Team Leadership

• Lead and coordinate the interdisciplinary team (IDT) for assessment review, documentation updates, and care planning.
• Facilitate IDT meetings and ensure timely assessment completion and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate closely with nursing, rehabilitation, social work, dietary, and medical providers to ensure accurate and consistent clinical documentation.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Conduct internal audits of MDS accuracy, documentation quality, and care plan alignment.
• Participate in QAPI initiatives and relevant committees, including Safety Committee, QAPI Steering Committee, Compliance and others as assigned.
• Support survey readiness and participate in NYS DOH surveys and CMS audits.

Reimbursement & Financial Integrity

• Ensure precise MDS coding to support appropriate reimbursement under PDPM (Patient-Driven Payment Model).
• Work with finance and billing teams to reconcile assessment data and reimbursement outcomes.
• Monitor discharge tracking, re-entry documentation, and related processes.
• Ensure assessments reflect unique clinical and psychosocial needs of veterans.
• Incorporate trauma-informed care principles.
• Uphold LISVH's mission of high-quality care for veterans and their families.

Required Qualifications:

• Current New York State Registered Nurse (RN) license;
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible MDS/Medicare experience within a long term care or skilled nursing facility
• Knowledge of MDS 3.0, RAI guidelines, and PDPM.
• Understanding of NYS DOH nursing home regulations.
• Leadership experience with interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with EHR systems and MDS software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BSN
• RAC-CT or RAC-CTA certification.
• PRI certification - Attention to detail and accuracy
• Experience in state-operated or veterans' long-term care.
• Training in trauma-informed care or veteran-specific needs

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Posting Overview: This position will remain posted until filled or for a maximum of 90 days. An initial review of all applicants will occur two weeks from the posting date. Candidates are advised on the application that for full consideration, applications must be received before the initial review date (which is within two weeks of the posting date).

If within the initial review no candidate was selected to fill the position posted, additional applications will be considered for the posted position; however, the posting will close once a finalist is identified, and at minimal, two weeks after the initial posting date. Please note, that if no candidate were identified and hired within 90 days from initial posting, the posting would close for review, and possibly reposted at a later date.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions may involve exposure to infectious disease, blood, body fluids and/or tissue as well as other unpleasant elements such as accidents, injuries and illness. May be exposed to and be required to handle varying unpredictable, emergency and crisis situations. Occasionally subjected to irregular hours and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.

Prior to start date, the selected candidate must meet the following requirements:

• The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation.
• Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from the Long Island State Veterans Home Employee Health Department.
• Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three (3) professional references.
• Provide a copy of the required license(s)/certificate(s).

Please be advised that failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in a delayed start date and/or revocation of the employment offer.

Special Notes:

• The Long Island State Veterans Home is a tobacco-free environment. Tobacco products are strictly prohibited anywhere on our 25-acre campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.
• Essential Position: This position has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. This means that when the Long Island State Veterans Home is faced with an emergency, employees in such positions are required to remain at their work location or to report to work.
• The LISVH is a 24/7 skilled nursing facility. As such, all positions are subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary to meet the operating needs of the facility.
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit the wearing of facial hair.

The Long Island State Veterans Home, located on the campus of Stony Brook University, is a 350-bed skilled nursing facility with a 40-slot Adult Day Health Care Program dedicated to the care of honorably discharged Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Join an organization whose people make a difference every day and where commitment, compassion, initiative and leadership are recognized and rewarded. We care for America's heroes every day.