Dental Receptionist-Assistant Hybrid

Overview: The hybrid dental patient receptionist / dental assistant primarily focuses on scheduling and patient services, but can fill in as a dental assistant when needed. This position requires fast-paced, detail oriented response to patients, staff, and visitors. It requires a minimum of basic typing skills for use of online appointment scheduling, verification of all insurance types, coordination with multiple other departments within the clinic and the tribe for patient care assistance. Attentiveness and flexibility are key attributes for this position as one of two clearly defined roles are played at any given time. The person filling this position will need to be pleasant, gracious and able to give excellent customer service.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Credentialed as a Certified Dental Assistant
• High school diploma or GED
• Basic filing skills using alphabetical and numerical systems
• Basic computer keyboard skills; minimum 45 wpm
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as a team member with other office personnel
• Ability to maintain and respect strict confidentiality
• Ability to maintain a friendly and courteous manner in all patient and staff encounters
• Ability to read, understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to operate computers, faxes, telephones, photocopy and scanner machines
• Knowledge of regulations and guidelines regarding medical/dental records requests and transfer (HIPAA)
• Knowledge of dental routines, terms, instruments, materials, and procedures, techniques of dental x-ray; dental charting; types of sterilization and sterile techniques; record keeping, organizing, lab techniques, clean, reliable, and flexible. Knowledge of OSHA standards.
• Must be a registered dental assistant with the state of Washington and have experience dental assisting.

OTHER DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working within Indian Health Service

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Services Representative Duties (Primary)

• Help coordinate the day-to-day operations of the dental office
• Phone and in person appointment scheduling for multiple dental provider schedules
• Check patients into database upon check-in and check-out
• Run insurance eligibility checks for all patients.
• Verify all insurance and eligibility documentation is collected and up to date in the electronic record.
• Review Patient Registration on check-in to verify all demographic and insurance information is up to date. Update the electronic record as needed at time of check-in

• Prepare new patient charts as needed and enter into the electronic record
• Cover phones over lunch hour staggered with and in cooperation with other reception staff as assigned
• Make new patient packets as needed
• Call to confirm appointments for next business day for patient dental appointments
• Respond to voicemail and patient inquiries in a timely manner throughout the day
• Take detailed phone messages and delegate requested tasks and/or follow-up as needed
• Open and close dental office according to protocol
• fax Releases and Authorizations to other facilities as required
• Other duties as assigned

Dental Assisting Duties (Secondary)

• Seat patient, adjusts chair, triage and prepares patient for dentist. Sets up treatment room with necessary equipment and supplies for each procedure. Breaks down, sterilizes rooms in timely manner for next patient.
• Performs four handed dentistry and full scope of chair side assisting.
• Ability to make patients feel at ease.
• Collects and records patient health histories, Chart exams for dentist and will perio chart for hygienist. (dental charting)
• Patient management during dental procedures
• Calls in prescriptions per Doctor and photocopies and files them when necessary.
• Releases patient with correct paper work making sure they will get the correct follow up appointment.
• Dental procedure isolation techniques
• Prepares dental materials cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc...
• Handles Lab cases and labs.
• Handles prevention and management of dental and medical emergencies.
• Inventory control and management, places orders, and maintains stock.
• Delivers patient personal oral care instructions including oral hygiene and post operative instructions.
• Delivers community dental health presentations and works with other programs.
• Plans, assembles, and facilitates health fair booths
• Manages the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, and CDC standards.
• Handles instrument cleaning, sterilization/disinfection, re-circulation, and organizing.
• Performs dental treatment room disinfection.
• Takes dental x-rays, develops, mounts, and files in charts.
• Polishes the teeth to remove stains and soft deposits.
• Can provide child prophylaxis and can apply topical fluoride treatments.
• Takes impressions and bite registrations.
• Applies pit and fissure sealants.
• Places and removes periodontal dressings.
• Removes surgical sutures.
• Adaptation of temporary crowns.
• Places topical medications including the application of fluoride varnish and silver diamine fluoride under the direct supervision of the attending dentist.
• Takes blood pressure.
• Removes excess cement from fabricated restorations and orthodontic bands.
• Pours impressions to make stone and plaster models.
• Trims models, uses a lathe, custom tray and other duties in lab.
• Fabricates mouth guards, temporary crowns, custom impression trays and bleaching trays.
• Full scope Dental Assisting
• Ability to construct dental charts, file, have basic computer skills, and a willingness to help the front desk when needed. Will need to learn, and know how it works with the labs, CHS, and Insurances so you can communicate with patients.
• Works well in a team setting, willing to help others, positive attitude, takes direction well
• Other duties as assigned.
• Assistants trained in Expanded Functions will be able to perform respective duties in perio or restorative under direct supervision of a dentist.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Requires prolonged sitting or standing
• Requires frequent bending, stooping and stretching
• May require lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity
• Requires use of office equipment such as computer terminals, digital camera, telephones, fax machines and photocopiers
• Requires normal vision range

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed in dental office environment
• Involves interpersonal contact with staff and patients
• 40 hour work week, day shift , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., partially flexed at supervisor’s discretion

Supervision:

• Dental Office Manager
• Dental Director
• Health Services Director for administrative purposes

As with all positions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe this position is Indian Preference in hiring, in accordance with P.L. 93-638