The effective collaboration between the NAC (Nurse Assessment Coordinator) and the Administrator and the Director of Nursing Services is vital for the successful implementation of the RAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) system, encompassing the MDS completion process. Achieving comprehensive and person-centered care planning, involving assessments, interviews, documentation, CAAs (Care Area Assessments), requires seamless teamwork and communication. The MDS process is a complex multifunctional assessment required to be completed on each resident within a nursing facility. 

Learning Objectives:

Jessica Stucin RN, BSN, LHNA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, QCP

 Jessica has been a Registered Nurse for over 20 years, with a focus on long-term care. After graduating from nursing school, she initially worked in the critical care setting. Over the years, Jessica has held various nursing roles, including Clinical Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, and MDS Coordinator.  Jessica joined the MDS Consultant team in 2022.

Jessica’s expertise encompasses MDS, care planning, the survey process, quality measures, risk management, utilization review, clinical reimbursement, and case mix.

In 2020, Jessica further advanced her professional qualifications by completing her bachelor's degree in nursing. She also completed the Core of Knowledge program in Ohio and obtained her Nursing Home Administrator License.

Jessica holds certifications from the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) as a Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, and QCP). Additionally, she is a Master Trainer for AAPACN’s Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC-CT) certification program, where she shares her knowledge and skills with others in the industry.

Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CTA

 Kristine started her Registered Nurse career in acute care, where she spent 20 years in various settings, including oncology, orthopedics, and ICU. In 2010, she started working part-time in a local 60-bed SNF/LTC, which supported culture change and person-centered care. She eventually took over both the MDS coordinator and Director of Nursing position there, and for 10 years Kristine was successfully able to combine those roles. She was also able to teach CNA classes at a local community college, which allowed her to incorporate culture change into CNA training with real-world applications.

With this experience, Kristine became an expert at managing quality measures, case mix and reimbursement, resident-centered care planning, and surviving and thriving through the survey process. This career path has allowed her to transition into her current position with MDS Consultants, where she is responsible for system management and the role of Assistant Director of Education.

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