CDS Grade Levels

kmckaigkmckaig
edited May 2016 in CDI Talk Archive
Am trying to find out how other facilities classify their CDS levels. Are you paid at the same level as a staff nurse, charge nurse, case manager or other?

Does it make a difference if you are certified or not?

Thanks in advance,
Karen


Karen McKaig, BSN, RN, CCM, CPUR, CCDS
Case Manager
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Baxter Regional Medical Center
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-508-1499
kmckaig@baxterregional.org

Comments

  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    Initially, our program was started with Case Management and the CDS pay scale was identical to an RN CM. About 3+ years ago we were moved over to HIMS. The pay scale for the CDS has been adjusted with a market analysis and is now more than an RN CM scale. A very useful tool in that process was the ACDIS salary survey (annual, usually in the fall, find under the January Quarterly Journal). That being said, I feel there is still adjustment needed to our scale.

    Generally speaking for our facility, certification only comes into play as a part of the Clinical Ladder -- and only direct care nurses participate. So no, certification does not make a difference in pay.

    From a practical perspective currently finishing up an interview/hiring cycle, the simple fact of CDI experience would make any candidate stand out tremendously (out of 24 applicants with loads of experiences, none with CDI experience -- just not to be found in our market). As a tertiary medical center in rural Eastern NC, the closest large hospital is in Raleigh -- 75 to 100 miles away. The closer hospitals that have CDI programs are usually 1 or 2 CDS shops.

    Don
  • paxnerospaxneros
    edited May 2016
    One pay sale for the position - no matter the credential.

    NBrunson, RHIA, .CCDS
  • catladyrncatladyrn
    edited May 2016
    When I first became a CDS, I took a significant pay cut from my ICU staff nurse position, even though they insisted it was a promotion. I also lost what would have been my annual raise that year based on 11 months in ICU and one month as CDS, because I changed jobs. I had to change hospitals to make that up. I know I'm not on the bottom of the pay scale, but I'm certainly not on the top and they seemed to be thrilled to get someone with experience and with certification. It looks like the scale here is the same as for case management since we are in the same department.

    The entire hospital system is not getting raises this year. My only chance for more money is to go for the Clinical Expert program later on this year, similar to a clinical ladder.

    Renee


    Linda Renee Brown, RN, CCRN, CCDS
    Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
  • sharon.colesharon.cole
    edited May 2016
    Little bit more than a case manager - which is less than ICU, ER but not more than a regular floor nurse.
    Certification, BSN, MSN, etc do not make a bit of difference

    From: CDI Talk [mailto:cdi_talk@hcprotalk.com]
    Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 2:53 PM
    To: Cole, Sharon (PHN/Waco)
    Subject: [cdi_talk] CDS Grade Levels

    Am trying to find out how other facilities classify their CDS levels. Are you paid at the same level as a staff nurse, charge nurse, case manager or other?

    Does it make a difference if you are certified or not?

    Thanks in advance,
    Karen


    Karen McKaig, BSN, RN, CCM, CPUR, CCDS
    Case Manager
    Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Baxter Regional Medical Center
    Mountain Home, AR 72653
    870-508-1499
    kmckaig@baxterregional.org
  • sharon.colesharon.cole
    edited May 2016
    Messed that up. Little bit more than a a case manager-which is less than an ICU/ER nurse but more than a regular floor nurse.
    CCDS is strongly encouraged after 1 year, as are BSN, MSN. There is no pay increase.
  • dsmith12h@aol.comdsmith12h@aol.com
    edited May 2016
    CDS fall under the Case Management department here and the CDS pay scale
    is identical to an RN CM.

    We have a hospital approved list of certifications for which an annual bonus is paid (one bonus no matter how many certifications you hold).
  • dallend@einstein.edudallend@einstein.edu
    edited May 2016
    ..We have 2 levels - specialist and coordinator (which is a lead). As far as the pay scales - our grades are different from staff nurses and case managers. We do not make more money if we are certified. Coordinator is a higher rate than a specialist
  • cynthia.a.goeweycynthia.a.goewey
    edited May 2016
    We are payed a little bit more than a staff nurse but less than the case management RNs. No increase in pay for credentials.
    Cindy
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