Front Office/Dental Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Join us and be a part of our passionate and family-oriented company culture, building community relationships with integrity and excellence as a valued member of our team, while helping to deliver unparalleled dental care for seniors and special needs populations as a premium provider of dental services in California.

Front Office Administrator/Financial Coordinator Job Summary This position is responsible for maintaining the appearance and order of the office. Responsible for managing a variety of financial duties, including but not limited to conducting financial consultations with patients, filing and billing dental benefit claims, managing patients billing, pre-auth, and collections and tracking the practice’s accounts receivable. Summary of Essential Job Functions: Greet and welcome patients. Maintain a neat and orderly front office including reception area. Check the daily schedule and post in all treatment rooms. Prepare and mail thank-you notes to patients and referring practitioners. Ensure all compliance postings are current and easily available for patients. Ensure patients have updated all necessary paperwork prior to treatment. Manage recall system. Manage on-call patient list to fill no-shows and failed appointments. Collect payments from patients at the time of treatment. Schedule patient appointments. Ensure that patient records are accurate and complete, and that patient confidentiality is strictly maintained. Monitor patient referrals to other practitioners. Submit information for preauthorization of benefits for proposed treatment. Ensure that correct coding is used to designate the diagnoses and procedures performed. Follow up with insurance claims and delinquent accounts. Maintain and monitor contracts with managed care organizations. Provide patient education materials. Maintain an appropriate office environment. Manage patient dental benefit plan information. Verify and update benefit details offering education to patients on their dental benefits. Conduct financial consultations with all new and existing patients when new treatment plans are presented. Ensure all patients have a current financial consent form signed and financial agreement signed with each new treatment plan presented. Understand the practice’s policy on working with dental benefit plans and be prepared to educate patients on their dental benefits. Know the process of submitting claims with each dental benefit plan and submit as many claims electronically as possible. Oversee and track dental benefit plan accounts receivable and follow up on claims regularly to ensure timely payment. Manage and maintain the payment options and policies for patients to uphold the practice’s financial integrity Administer pre-authorizations and ensuring that they are submitted correctly and timely. Oversee all accounts receivable management including over the counter collections preparing statements, follow-up insurance pre-authorizations claims. Communicate with all outside and third-party financing companies offered to patients and educate patients on available outside financing options. Ensure that patient records are accurate and complete, and that patient confidentiality is strictly maintained. Adhere to established practice policies, protocols and goals ensuring that the practice is operating accordingly. Administer all duties related to properly opening and closing the practice. Verify the breakdown of dental benefits for all new patients prior to the new patient exam and consultation. Perform other tasks as assigned by the office manager and doctor(s). Maintain front office supplies. Maintain and balance petty cash supply. Sort, organize and distribute mail. Maintain an appropriate office environment (As defined in practice policy). Maintain regular, predictable attendance. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledgeable in Dentrix (PMS) computer system and Microsoft. Strong treatment planning & presentation skills. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Excellent communication skills. Ability to perform detailed work according to established formats and protocols. Ability to multitask. Exceptional organizational skills. Basic accounting understanding in regard to interpreting the practice’s aging reports. Ability to multitask and work with interruptions. Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with patients and demonstrate a friendly attitude, even while under pressure or when patients are upset. Ability to uphold financial policies while approaching patients in a friendly and supportive manner. Ability to utilize the computer, copier, credit card processing equipment, etc. Optional Requirements Fluent in Spanish preferred. Dental experience preferred.

Dental Assistant (DA) and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Job Summary The DA or RDA works on behalf of the patient and the dentist, helping to assure a high level of professional excellence in oral health care delivery. Provide oversight, leadership and mentorship to fellow dental assistants. As a partner to the dentist and an organizer of the department, the Lead RDA supports dental care delivery by assisting in the performance of dental procedures and carrying out the day-to-day operations of the back office. Summary of Essential Job Functions: Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment. Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and tray setups for dental procedures. Greet and prepare patients for treatment. Conduct patient health screening. Perform diagnostic quality dental radiographic procedures.(Once trained and certified) Assist the dentist during examinations and treatment procedures. Conduct work in compliance with office policies and procedures, safety and Cal/OSHA guidelines. Record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient. Ensure that patient records are accurate and complete, and that patient confidentiality is strictly maintained. Participate in the achievement of patient satisfaction and office production goals by working efficiently and providing a high level of patient service. Assist with other duties as directed in the attached Permitted Duties. Provide patient education materials. Maintain an appropriate office environment through cooperation and teamwork. Maintain regular, predictable attendance. Maintain an appropriate and adequate clinical supply in the dental practice while simultaneously remaining fiscally responsible by adhering to the established budget. Assist the dentist or other health care provider during examinations and treatment in accordance with the provisions of the Dental Practice Act. Support the patient by providing exceptional interpersonal and technical skills in the delivery of information and care as it relates to receiving treatment. Participate in the achievement of patient satisfaction and office production goals by working efficiently and providing a high level of patient service. Serve as an infection control officer, following infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment in compliance with office policies and procedures, safety and OSHA guidelines. Prepare treatment room and execute proper tray set up by following prescribed procedures and protocols. Maintain patient confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential in accordance with HIPAA. Ensure proper operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques. Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results. Record patient medical and dental histories, vital signs and treatment information. Provide postoperative instructions as prescribed and directed by the dentist or other health care provider. Maintain regular, predicable attendance. Minimum Requirements: Current basic life support (CPR) certification. Radiation Safety Certificate (X-ray license). Two years of experience in a clinical setting. Proof of course completion in the California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) and Infection Control for Dental Assistants (8-hour) within 12 months of employment. Good communication skills. Ability to perform detailed work according to established formats and protocols. Preferred Requirement: Five years of experience in a clinical setting. Working knowledge of Dentrix, dental software. Fluent in Spanish