Assistant, Dental Administrative

The Wright Center; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wright Center is seeking a Dental Administrative Assistant to be the first point of contact for patients and visitors. The role supports front-office duties in a fast-paced FQHC environment, including scheduling, intake, and EMR data entry.

Ideal candidates have high school-level education, 1–2 years front-office experience, strong attention to detail, and a professional, customer-service oriented approach. Flexible schedule and HIPAA compliance are essential for daily operations.

Qualifications

• Front-office experience in a high-volume medical practice is desirable.
• Bilingual abilities are highly desired to assist diverse patient populations.
• Proficient computer skills and familiarity with EMR workflows are essential.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and visitors and serve as the initial point of contact.
• Schedule patient appointments and follow-up visits.
• Register patients and collect demographic information for reports.
• Comply with Red Flag Rules for photo identification.
• Intake and check out of patients and manage cash handling.
• Maintain patient information in the EMR system.
• Verify insurance details and explain coverage to patients.
• Obtain authorizations for non-covered services as needed.
• Explain resources and programs such as sliding fee, GFE, and outreach programs.
• Scan records into EMR and create triages within the EMR.
• Answer calls and manage after-hours routing.

Skills

Bilingual

Customer service

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication skills

Adaptability

Reliability

Punctuality

Confidentiality

Proficient computer skills

HIPAA compliance

Front-office experience

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Administrative Assistant (DAA) serves as the initial point of contact for patients and visitors. The DAA delivers the high standard of customer service necessary to maintain the overall patient experience and is responsible for various health center front-office administrative responsibilities as outlined below. The health center front-office is a high-intensity, fast paced environment, with critical impact on health center efficiency.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Director, Dental Operations. No other roles report to this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES and FUNCTIONS

While living and demonstrating our Core Values, the Dental Administrative Assistant will:

• Understanding of what it means to be the following: A Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC); A Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH); Recognized as a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); Participant in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
• Schedule patient appointments and follow-up visits
• Register patients and play key role of capturing patient demographic information needed for annual UDS report
• Comply with Red Flag Rules for photo identification
• Intake and check out of patients
• Manage patient information in the Electronic Health Records system
• Understanding of multiple insurance dynamics including copays, coverage, navigation
• Verify insurance information from patients
• Comply with commercial and Medicaid insurance plan rules for services requiring prior authorization
• Ensure copays are collected at time of visit
• Perform cash account management activities
• Provide self-pay patients with options to pay for services
• Obtain Medicare ABN for non-covered services
• Ensure patients understand health center resources and available programs, such as: Sliding fee discount program; Good Faith Estimate (GFE); Outreach & Enrollment programs; Language services; After hours coverage
• Ensure compliance in the following areas: Availability and location of SDS binder; Availability and location 990 binders for all TWC entities; Understanding role and responsibilities in an emergency to help coworkers and patients to safety
• Scan patient records into the EMR
• Create triages within the EMR system
• Mail and receive new patient information packets
• Answer and return phone calls
• Switch phones to night/weekend service
• Always adhere to all HIPAA rules and regulations
• Participation in rotation of extended access hours including late nights, weekends and holidays
• Cross coverage of other locations and service lines for continued support and access for patients
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Meet The Wright Center for Community Health and its affiliated Enterprise entities’ EOS People Analyzer Tool
• Buy in and experience working in the EOS® model (strongly preferred)
• Mission-oriented; represents the enterprise in a professional manner while demonstrating organizational pride
• Minimum Qualifications of a High School Diploma/GED
• Previous front-office experience (1-2 years) in a high-volume medical practice desirable
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to maintain accuracy and compliance with detailed-oriented responsibilities
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Bilingual highly desired
• Proficient computer skills
• Proven proficiency of technology and EMR workflows at the end of orientation
• Must be reliable and punctual
• Must have attention to detail
• Must be able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with many changing prioritiesMust be professional and customer service oriented to deliver quality excellent care
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule