CABIN CREEK HEALTH SYSTEMS
POSITION TITLE: Dental Dual Front Office & Chairside Assistant
REPORTS TO: Dental Director & Staff Dentist(s)
Salary Range: Based Upon Experience
Position Summary:
A full-time, non-exempt position responsible for providing both chairside dental assisting and front office support to ensure the efficient delivery of quality patient care and clinic operations.
This role assists the dentist(s) in direct provision of dental services, including chairside assistance, instrument sterilization, operatory preparation, and inventory control. The position also performs front office duties including scheduling, patient registration, insurance verification, claims processing and general administrative support. The incumbent is expected to perform the responsibilities of both the Front Office and/ or Dental Assistant based on operational needs, and maybe assigned to work at multiple clinic locations / fill in as needed to support organizational operations.
Optional: May assist with dental billing and other revenue cycle functions.
Essential Assisting Functions:
-
Serves as a dentist's chair-side assistant
-
Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentists' or dental hygienist's directions.
-
Takes dental radiographs in accordance with the state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.
-
Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, discussing treatment plans, answering their questions and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist.
-
Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's directions and Dental Department policy and protocol.
-
Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
-
Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
-
Prepares cases to send to laboratory and maintains invoices for lab bills - submits to Dental Director or Administration for payment as directed.
-
Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business, and patient care of The Dental Department.
-
Insures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol.
-
Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department Directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulations
-
Perform all functions in full compliance with the center's and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
-
Will Travel to meet operations needs.
-
Assist with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits.
-
As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
Essential Front Office Functions:
-
Plan and manage dental office operations to ensure excellent patient support services.
-
Manage office schedule - ensure that patient appointments, cancellations and last-minute adjustments are handled properly.
-
Manage patient records, insurance documentation and business records as directed.
-
Respond to patient queries and issues and ensure patient satisfaction.
-
Oversee payment collections from patients, submit insurance claims and contact insurance office for prior authorizations and payment settlements.
-
Verify patient insurance eligibility and/or financial status and sliding scale fee.
-
Work in coordination with the billing department to submit and record collection of insurance claims and to keep track of patients unpaid balances.
-
Run day and month end closing reports in coordination with the billing department and send out necessary statements to patients and insurances.
-
Will travel to meet operational needs.
-
As directed by supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizations and programmatic goals and objectives.
-
Responsible for personal compliance in full with all applicable state, federal local and center rules, regulations, protocol and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant into the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relation to, but not limited to personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
Education and Training:
-
Highschool Diploma or GED Certificate
-
Ability to attend to multiple tasks at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols
-
Effective oral and written communication skills in English are required.
Licensure and Credentials:
-
Certified Dental Assistant PREFERED
-
Current CPR (BLS) REQUIRED
Skills and Abilities:
Requires a comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures for all phases of general dentistry. Knowledge of modern dental materials, their storage, handling and applications is required. Requires comprehensive knowledge of dental procedures and associated scheduling, coding and billing. Must be cognizant of the expectations and concerns of the centers dental patients and be able to respond in an empathetic and professional manner. The ability to work with persons from a wide diversity of social, ethnic and economic backgrounds is necessary.
Typical Physical Demands:
Prolonged sitting or standing may be required. Those physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with dental assisting in general practice dentistry will be performed on a repetitive basis. The ability to distinguish letters and Symbols as well as the ability to utilize telephones, computer terminals and copiers is required. Work under stressful conditions as well as irregular hours may be required. Frequent exposure to communicable disease, body fluids, toxic substances, medical preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Classification:
Category I
The Center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. In compliance with EEOC 29 CFR part 1630, if the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, further accommodation's shall be made if it does not constitute undue hardship upon this organization.
