MDS Essentials

Ten-Course Bundle – Members: $553 | Non-members: $1,103
Individual Courses – Members: $59 | Non-members: $118
Continuing Education: 15 CE hours for all ten courses
Duration: Ten courses ranging from approximately 60-135 minutes each
Speakers: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC
An Introduction to the MDS 3.0
MDS Essentials, a ten-session education program designed and delivered by AAPACN Master Teachers and nursing experts, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, to help you quickly learn and perform the job duties of a nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) skillfully and with confidence.

Start Your MDS Training
MDS Essentials: An Introduction to the MDS 3.0 is a ten-session virtual workshop that moves through the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual, helping you to understand the intent, rationale, and coding requirements of each MDS item set, Care Area Assessments, care plans, and scheduling. The program is perfect for a new NAC with less than six months of experience and serves as a great primer to the RAC-CT certification program.
At the end of your MDS training, you will:
- Understand the history of the RAI process and the scope of the RAI’s impact, including Quality Measures, Five-Star Rating, reimbursement, and survey outcomes
- Know how to avoid coding errors by effectively using the RAI User’s Manual and understanding of MDS item sets
- Be able to develop person-centered care plans based on an understanding of Care Area Assessments
- Comprehend the basics of assessment scheduling to avoid being overwhelmed by PPS and OBRA timing guidelines
Program Curriculum and Format
Each module in MDS Essentials is approximately 60-135 minutes and provides 1.0 – 2.25 CEs. Course content has been updated to include FY 2025 updates.
- An Introduction to RAI Process, OBRA ’87, and RAI User’s Manual
- Coding Sections A, B, and C
- Coding Sections D, E, F, and Q
- Coding Sections H, I, and J
- Coding Sections GG and K
- Coding Sections L, M, N, and P
- Coding Sections O, V, X, and Z
- Introduction to CAA Documentation and Care Plans
- Introduction to OBRA Scheduling
- Introduction to PPS Scheduling and PDPM
Courses may be purchased individually by clicking the links above, or save by purchasing as a bundling by clicking on the “Purchase” button at the top of the page. There is no exam or certification associated with this program. It is intended to provide knowledge needed to perform MDS coordinator or NAC job duties skillfully and with confidence.