Dental Receptionist

Location: Pullman • Full-Time (30 Hours)

About the Role

In partnership with the clinical team, the Care Advocate provides quality customer service through the coordination of patient flow and effective communication with patients, doctors, practice managers, and clinic staff. The Care Advocate acts as the bridge for communication between patients, clinic staff, and appointment center representatives by monitoring treatment completion, facilitating oral health improvement initiatives, and focusing on patient engagement. This position helps strengthen the therapeutic alliance between clinicians and patients by supporting provider recommendations, interventions, prescriptions, and recalls. This position reports to the Practice Administrator.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily schedule. Seek opportunities to maximize scheduling efficiencies.
• Maintain awareness of schedule changes; promptly identify and correct scheduling errors.
• Understand payment methods and communicate fee requirements to patients.
• Collect and document payments for dental services.
• Responsible for proper handling of monies. Accurately balance daily payment ledger and reconcile payments.
• Properly complete M.O.O.L.A.H. form and forward to Accounting Department.
• Accurately complete deposit slips and make timely daily bank deposits.
• Update patient card, confirm, and verify insurance information.
• Schedule treatment as directed by clinicians.
• Ensure charts are organized, prepared, and available for patient appointments. Use proper chart routing processes.
• Perform chart maintenance, as needed. Prepare new patient charts according to current WD guidelines.
• Duplicate charts and records as requested.
• Initiate a partnership and build rapport with patients by providing thorough and accurate information and addressing any patient questions or concerns related to their treatment plan. Provide Statement of Services at each visit.
• Responsible for opening and closing the clinic.
• Responsible for keeping the reception area neat and clean to instill patient confidence and comfort.
• Partner with the clinical team to enhance understanding of dental procedures, treatment series, and interventions to improve patient understanding.
• Partner with the clinical team to understand provider’s expectations and reiterate communication directives to the patient.
• Partner with the clinical team to triage incoming emergency and unplanned treatment calls.
• Ensure coordination of care by scheduling and reinforcing recalls, referrals to internal and external providers, and answering patient questions related to their care.
• Strict adherence to Willamette Dental's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy, including the use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required.
• Flexibility to travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as described in the Travel Policy as needed based on business need.
• Reliable and predictable attendance is essential.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required. Post-secondary coursework is desirable or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years of customer service experience preferred.
• Medical/dental clinic or healthcare experience highly desirable, including strong knowledge of HIPAA compliance procedures.
• Able to successfully demonstrate educational requirements regarding care advocacy in the form of an electronic exam.
• Able to successfully demonstrate case presentations regarding care advocacy to the Managing Doctor and Practice Manager.

Pay

Expected hourly hiring range: $20.00 to $23.00 USD, depending on experience. The actual base pay offered will be based on multiple factors, including education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plan.

Schedule

3-10 hour shifts per week.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Life insurance
• Voluntary disability insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Two complimentary pairs of Fig scrubs (clinical roles)
• Employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Eligible employees accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per employment year in addition to seven paid holidays annually. PTO combines vacation and sick leave, and is more generous than Washington State’s Sick Leave Law. Employees in part-time roles working less than 40 hours per week accrue PTO on a pro-rated basis.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing but will require occasional walking, bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and other standard office equipment to complete tasks.