DNS-CT Certification Virtual Workshop 6/20/2023 by Beacon

Carol Maher is a Board Certified Gerontological Registered Nurse who has worked with the MDS since its inception. Carol is an AAPACN Master Teacher for the RAC-CT and RAC-CTA certification classes. She is also a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) who has maintained her certification with continuing education and provides ICD-10-CM training to SNF clients across the country. Ms. Maher has authored and recorded the AAPACN ICD-10-CM Coding Certificate Program for SNFs Plus ICD-10-CM for PDPM and HCPRO’s MDS 3.0 Field Guide. Ms. Maher is the Director of Education for Hansen Hunter & Co., providing MDS and Medicare classes across the country, presenting monthly educational webinars and completing compliance audits.

Barbara Bates has 42 years in Gero-Psychiatry and LTC nursing experience, holding management and administration positions at the Rochester Psychiatric Center as well as the director of nursing position at a NYS Veterans Home. Mrs. Bates has a Master’s of Science in Nursing, specializing in Nursing Education, is certified in MDS 3.0, and is a master teacher for the DNS-CT and QCP certification programs through AADNS. Currently, she provides educational programs in MDS, CAAs and care plans, PRI, behavior management, and QAPI for SUNY Albany School for Public Health statewide and MDS Consultants, Inc. Mrs. Bates also completes comprehensive chart audits and onsite compliance program reviews for MedNet Compliance, Inc. and has spoken nationally for Health Information Network, AANAC, AADNS, and Pioneer Network. She formerly worked for LeadingAge NY providing onsite consultation, training, and completing mock surveys. Recently, she was a facilitator in the Customer Satisfaction Training grant project for NYSFA, which focused on enhancing satisfaction in various LTC facilities in NY state. She was also a facilitator for the Gold STAMP program to reduce pressure ulcers in NYS and a facilitator for the implementation of the Medical Director/Attending Physician Guidelines. Previously, Mrs. Bates was the senior educator for the Foundation of LTC, providing instruction in Exceptional Care Planning, which focused on streamlining care plans and enhancing person-centered care. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the DON-EAP committee for AADNS and volunteers for the NYS Surrogate Decision Making Committee, which is a Governor-appointed position. Mrs. Bates enjoys spending her free time with her 2 daughters and their families and traveling.

A nurse for over 30 years, Linda has a diversified background in the long-term care setting, including staff nurse, supervising nurse, nurse educator, nursing administrator, and for 16 years, director of nursing.

Her areas of expertise are current survey and certification process; quality assurance and performance improvement; resident assessment; clinical approaches, including the improvement and prevention of skin alterations and prevention of falls and root cause analysis; and implementation of systems.

Linda has a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on education, and works as a nurse consultant/educator with a focus on skilled nursing. She holds certifications from AAPACN. She is a master teacher for the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing’s certification programs, the Director of Nursing Services–Certified (DNS-CT) and QAPI Certified Professional (QCP). In addition to being an Independent Consultant/Educator, Linda is the Director of Education at MDS Consultants.

Previously, as coach in the School of Public Health University of Albany’s GoldSTAMP Program, she has worked to improve the prevention and care of pressure ulcers across healthcare settings and has also worked as a per diem second nurse planner. She has experience with conducting mock surveys, QAPI, Compliance and Ethics, mentoring and coaching, and building systems.

As an outstanding leader in implementing new systems as well as leading teams through change, Linda has been recognized with several awards, including Duquesne University’s Alumni Award; New York State’s Commissioner’s Award (as a team member); and, she received recognition from the National Guard and Reserve as a Patriotic Employer, from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.