Dental Receptionist

Location: Spokane Valley Practice. Position Type: Part-Time (20 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 will act 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. The Care Advocate helps to 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 opportunity 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; keep reception area neat and clean to instill patient confidence and comfort.
• Partner with clinical team to enhance understanding of dental procedures, treatment series and interventions to enhance patient understanding.
• Partner with clinical team to understand provider’s expectations and reiterate communication directives to the patient.
• Partner with 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 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.
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; post-secondary coursework desirable or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years customer service experience preferred.
• Medical/dental clinic or healthcare experience