Jean Garofalo
Summary
Dynamic MDS Coordinator with extensive experience at Watersedge Rehabilitation and Nursing, recognized for enhancing documentation accuracy and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to develop comprehensive care plans and implement quality improvement initiatives, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail drive successful MDS coordination and timely reimbursements.
Healthcare professional with comprehensive understanding of resident assessment processes and care planning. Known for strong focus on team collaboration and achieving high-quality results. Reliable and adaptable, with skills in regulatory compliance and care documentation, fostering positive and efficient working environment.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
MDS Nurse
Watersedge Rehabilitation and Nursing
04.2019 - 05.2025
- Facilitated timely completion of MDS assessments through effective time management and organization skills.
- Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills in the analysis of complex medical information, ensuring accurate representation within the MDS system.
- Increased efficiency in the MDS process by developing and implementing streamlined documentation procedures.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of CMS guidelines and applying them to daily practice.
- Improved patient care by thoroughly reviewing and analyzing MDS assessments for accuracy and completeness.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions implemented within care plans, making recommendations for adjustments as needed.
- Coordinated with billing department to facilitate appropriate reimbursement based on accurate completion of resident assessments.
- Maintained accurate medical records, ensuring proper reimbursement for services provided to patients.
- Supported successful survey results by addressing any identified concerns or deficiencies related to the MDS process promptly and effectively.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
- Complied with federal and state regulations for completion and coordination of RAI process.
MDS Coordinator
Island Rehabilitation and Nursing
02.2018 - 10.2018
- Set schedules for staff to start and complete MDS assessments and care plan meetings.
- Ensured timely completion of all MDS assessments, maintaining full compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on CMS guidelines and changes to ensure accuracy in reporting and reimbursement processes.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to provide accurate and timely clinical assessments for each resident, leading to improved overall care.
- Enhanced patient care quality by implementing comprehensive MDS assessments and care plans.
- Collaborated closely with therapy departments to accurately capture rehabilitation needs within MDS documentation, supporting appropriate resource allocation for residents'' needs.
- Verified prompt and accurate completion of MDS activities for billing.
- Monitored changing regulations related to RAI/MDS requirements, keeping staff informed about updates that impact their daily work routines.
- Completed minimum data set assessments with strong collaboration across business, provider and clinical disciplines.
- Developed a comprehensive system for tracking MDS completion deadlines, ensuring timely submissions and minimizing the risk of financial penalties.
- Developed strong relationships with interdisciplinary team members to facilitate efficient collaboration on resident care planning.
- Conducted audits of current MDS records to identify discrepancies and improve record accuracy, enhancing reimbursement rates for the facility.
- Trained staff in correct techniques for completing and signing MDS assessments.
- Identified areas of improvement in the facility''s quality measures through thorough analysis of MDS data, resulting in targeted interventions and better outcomes for residents.
- Improved communication between departments by establishing clear protocols regarding assessment timelines, leading to more efficient care planning processes.
- Developed policies and procedures to standardize MDS coordination across facility, leading to more efficient operations.
- Streamlined MDS submission process, reducing errors and ensuring timely reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.
- Improved patient outcomes with comprehensive assessments, identifying changes in condition and adjusting care plans accordingly.
- Optimized care plans for impact, integrating evidence-based practices and patient preferences.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations by meticulously reviewing and updating resident care plans.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
- Complied with federal and state regulations for completion and coordination of RAI process.
MDS Coordinator
Jefferson's Ferry Life Plan Community
01.2002 - 11.2017
- Provided ongoing education for nursing staff regarding MDS best practices, contributing to a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.
- Implemented interdisciplinary meetings focused on individualized care plan development, resulting in more targeted interventions and improved resident outcomes.
- Established regular review processes to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of MDS records, leading to proactive identification of potential issues before they escalate.
- Reduced errors in data collection by streamlining the MDS process and improving communication among interdisciplinary teams.
- Supported facility-wide initiatives aimed at reducing hospital readmissions by closely monitoring MDS data for trends and potential areas of concern.
- Improved interdisciplinary team collaboration by organizing regular strategy meetings to discuss care plans and resident needs.
- Fostered positive work environment, encouraging teamwork and open communication among MDS and clinical staff.
- Promoted culture of safety and compliance, conducting regular audits of MDS documentation and care practices.
- Conducted training sessions for nursing staff on MDS processes, elevating quality of documentation and care planning.
- Supported resident families with clear communication, providing updates on care plans and answering questions about MDS process.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary care team meetings to enhance communication and ensure consistency in patient care delivery.
- Achieved significant improvements in MDS accuracy and timeliness, recognized by facility leadership.
- Implemented quality improvement projects, identifying areas for enhancement in resident care and MDS process accuracy.
- Enhanced team performance, providing regular feedback and coaching to staff on MDS-related tasks.
- Advanced personal knowledge of MDS regulations and best practices through continuing education and professional development activities.
- Led integration of new technology for MDS management, facilitating easier data entry and analysis.
- Participated in quality assurance reviews to verify accuracy and reliability of data.
- Managed system for secure storage, transmission and manipulation of clinical data.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on CMS guidelines and changes to ensure accuracy in reporting and reimbursement processes.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to provide accurate and timely clinical assessments for each resident, leading to improved overall care.
- Enhanced patient care quality by implementing comprehensive MDS assessments and care plans.
- Collaborated closely with therapy departments to accurately capture rehabilitation needs within MDS documentation, supporting appropriate resource allocation for residents'' needs.
- Verified prompt and accurate completion of MDS activities for billing.
- Monitored changing regulations related to RAI/MDS requirements, keeping staff informed about updates that impact their daily work routines.
- Completed minimum data set assessments with strong collaboration across business, provider and clinical disciplines.
- Developed a comprehensive system for tracking MDS completion deadlines, ensuring timely submissions and minimizing the risk of financial penalties.
- Developed strong relationships with interdisciplinary team members to facilitate efficient collaboration on resident care planning.
- Conducted audits of current MDS records to identify discrepancies and improve record accuracy, enhancing reimbursement rates for the facility.
- Trained staff in correct techniques for completing and signing MDS assessments.
- Identified areas of improvement in the facility''s quality measures through thorough analysis of MDS data, resulting in targeted interventions and better outcomes for residents.
- Improved communication between departments by establishing clear protocols regarding assessment timelines, leading to more efficient care planning processes.
- Developed policies and procedures to standardize MDS coordination across facility, leading to more efficient operations.
- Streamlined MDS submission process, reducing errors and ensuring timely reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.
- Improved patient outcomes with comprehensive assessments, identifying changes in condition and adjusting care plans accordingly.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations by meticulously reviewing and updating resident care plans.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
- Complied with federal and state regulations for completion and coordination of RAI process.
MDS Coordinator
Nesconset Nursing Center and Rehabiliation
08.1992 - 01.2002
- Led weekly utilization review to go over recent clinical activities.
- Provided guidance to nursing staff on accurate completion of Section GG assessments, enhancing overall documentation quality and supporting appropriate Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates.
- Reviewed missing assessment reports and analyzed issues for leadership team.
- Participated in quality assurance reviews to verify accuracy and reliability of data.
- Analyzed patient data to impact, identifying trends and areas for improvement in clinical outcomes.
- Collaborated with medical teams to create uniform standards for clinical data reporting.
- Optimized care plans for impact, integrating evidence-based practices and patient preferences.
- Provided ongoing education for nursing staff regarding MDS best practices, contributing to a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.
- Implemented interdisciplinary meetings focused on individualized care plan development, resulting in more targeted interventions and improved resident outcomes.
- Established regular review processes to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of MDS records, leading to proactive identification of potential issues before they escalate.
- Fostered positive work environment, encouraging teamwork and open communication among MDS and clinical staff.
- Conducted training sessions for nursing staff on MDS processes, elevating quality of documentation and care planning.
- Supported resident families with clear communication, providing updates on care plans and answering questions about MDS process.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary care team meetings to enhance communication and ensure consistency in patient care delivery.
- Achieved significant improvements in MDS accuracy and timeliness, recognized by facility leadership.
- Implemented quality improvement projects, identifying areas for enhancement in resident care and MDS process accuracy.
- Enhanced team performance, providing regular feedback and coaching to staff on MDS-related tasks.
- Advanced personal knowledge of MDS regulations and best practices through continuing education and professional development activities.
- Ensured timely completion of all MDS assessments, maintaining full compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on CMS guidelines and changes to ensure accuracy in reporting and reimbursement processes.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to provide accurate and timely clinical assessments for each resident, leading to improved overall care.
- Collaborated closely with therapy departments to accurately capture rehabilitation needs within MDS documentation, supporting appropriate resource allocation for residents'' needs.
- Monitored changing regulations related to RAI/MDS requirements, keeping staff informed about updates that impact their daily work routines.
- Completed minimum data set assessments with strong collaboration across business, provider and clinical disciplines.
- Developed a comprehensive system for tracking MDS completion deadlines, ensuring timely submissions and minimizing the risk of financial penalties.
- Developed strong relationships with interdisciplinary team members to facilitate efficient collaboration on resident care planning.
- Conducted audits of current MDS records to identify discrepancies and improve record accuracy, enhancing reimbursement rates for the facility.
- Trained staff in correct techniques for completing and signing MDS assessments.
- Identified areas of improvement in the facility''s quality measures through thorough analysis of MDS data, resulting in targeted interventions and better outcomes for residents.
- Developed policies and procedures to standardize MDS coordination across facility, leading to more efficient operations.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
- Complied with federal and state regulations for completion and coordination of RAI process.
- Improved patient outcomes with comprehensive assessments, identifying changes in condition and adjusting care plans accordingly.
MDS and Reimbursment Independent Consultant
Jeffersons Ferry Active Retirement
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Handled confidential customer business and operational information.
- Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
- Led training sessions for client staff members to improve skillsets and enhance overall performance.
- Reviewed a year's work of MDS assessments never submitted as per regulations
- Successfully submitted a years worth of MDS assessments to allow the facility to bill and receive over a million dollars in revenue
- Leveraged on-site observation and personal interviews to identify team and individual strengths.
Education
Registered Professional Nurse - Nursing
Central Islip Hospital School of Nursing
Central Islip, NYBachelors of Science in Nursing - Nursing
StonyBrook University
Stony Brook, NYSkills
- Documentation accuracy
- Care plan development
- Geriatric nursing
- Regulatory compliance
- MDS coordination
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Long-term care experience
- Care planning
- Policy and procedure development
- Case management experience
- Assessment coding
- Clinical documentation
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
Timeline
MDS Nurse
Watersedge Rehabilitation and Nursing
04.2019 - 05.2025
MDS Coordinator
Island Rehabilitation and Nursing
02.2018 - 10.2018
MDS Coordinator
Jefferson's Ferry Life Plan Community
01.2002 - 11.2017
MDS and Reimbursment Independent Consultant
Jeffersons Ferry Active Retirement
01.2001 - 12.2001
MDS Coordinator
Nesconset Nursing Center and Rehabiliation
08.1992 - 01.2002
Registered Professional Nurse - Nursing
Central Islip Hospital School of Nursing
Bachelors of Science in Nursing - Nursing
StonyBrook University
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