RNAC stands for Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator. RNACs are generally responsible for the coordination of processes related to assessment of patients or residents in a health-care facility. They are also responsible for care planning associated with all patients in the facility. They are typically full-time, salaried positions that require a degree in nursing education as well as additional certification.

Responsibilities

In addition to the general assessment and care planning responsibilities, RNACs are responsible for scheduling regular assessments for patients, asking patients to report on how they feel, providing regular reports to doctors and other medical professionals, billing and working with the Medical Decision Support (MDS) system to ensure that all diseases and conditions are treated in the best possible way.

Education

All RNACs are registered nurses. This means that they must complete a registered nursing program. This could be a bachelor’s degree program, an associate degree program or a diploma program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common way for nurses to enter the field is through an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree program, which typically take between two and three years to complete. Those who hope to advance toward an RNAC position should try to complete a bachelor’s degree. To become an RNAC, additional certification from an organization such as the American Association of Nursing Assessment Coordinators is required. RNAC certification programs typically take between one and two years to complete.

Additional Qualifications

RNACs must also have a detailed knowledge of medical decision support systems, Requirements Analysis Planning systems and other care planning software and databases. In the United States, RNACs must have a sound knowledge of levels of care requirements and their relationships to Medicare reimbursement programs. Depending on the type of facility, RNACs may also be required to have previous experience in a particular aspect of nursing. For example, if an RNAC job posting is for a retirement home, the successful candidate may be required to have previous experience in gerontological care.

Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in the lowest 10 percent income-wise earned less than $53,410 in 2020. Those in the highest 10 percent were paid more than $116,230 per year. The median annual earnings for a registered nurse in 2008 were $62,450. Now, in 2021, median annual salary for a registered nurse is $75,330.

While the bureau does not mention RNACs specifically, RNACs would likely earn near the high end of this spectrum since they have more education and experience than most registered nurses.

Registered Nurses Employment and Labor Information 2023

Registered Nurses Employment Brief:

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Registered Nurses Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Registered Nurses.

Registered Nurses Responsibilities and Duties:

• Assess the needs of individuals, families, or communities, including assessment of individuals' home or work environments, to identify potential health or safety problems.
• Work with individuals, groups, or families to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.
• Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
• Provide or arrange for training or instruction of auxiliary personnel or students.
• Refer students or patients to specialized health resources or community agencies furnishing assistance.
• Engage in research activities related to nursing.
• Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.
• Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
• Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
• Perform administrative or managerial functions, such as taking responsibility for a unit's staff, budget, planning, or long-range goals.

Typical Daily Tasks of Registered Nurses:

• Assisting and Caring for Others: Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. Administer non-intravenous medications. Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments. Immunize patients. Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources. Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries. Treat medical emergencies.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Maintain medical facility records. Record patient medical histories.
• Getting Information: Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
• Performing General Physical Activities.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Diagnose medical conditions.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work.

Registered Nurses Skills and Requirements:

• Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
• Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Management of Financial Resources Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
• Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• InternetNavigating the Internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers; use searches, hypertext references, and transfer protocols; and send and retrieve electronic mail (e-mail).

Registered Nurses Salary and Wages:

Average Salary: 58,450. Education: typical education requirements include High school diploma or equivalent.

Data from May 2023 courtesy of U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.