Dental Hygiene Administrative Specialist

Murray State University; Murray (KY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Murray State University is seeking a Dental Hygiene Administrative Specialist to provide essential administrative, financial, and operational support for the Dental Hygiene Program and its patient clinic.

The role coordinates daily clinic operations, manages patient scheduling and records, supervises front office activities, maintains inventories, and processes financial transactions while ensuring regulatory compliance and excellent patient service.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: Two years of college.
• Four years of upper-level office experience in business, government, or industrial settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Keyboarding and MS Office proficiency; basic bookkeeping may be required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate front office operations for the Dental Hygiene Clinic.
• Maintain confidential patient and student records per regulations.
• Manage patient scheduling and recall systems; assist with patient flow.
• Oversee clinic inventory and financial transactions.
• Ensure HIPAA compliance and accurate record retention.
• Support faculty and students and proctor examinations as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to accuracy

Memory for details

Plan and decision making

Multitasking

Keyboarding

MS Office Suite

Customer service

Education

Two years of college

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Clinic management software

Job description

Posting Number:

20270029NE

Job Title:

Dental Hygiene Administrative Specialist

Number of Vacancies:

1

About Murray State:

Located in the West Kentucky region, Murray State University is a public, comprehensive University which offers a low cost of living, low property taxes, and a four-season climate. Murray has a friendly, small-town atmosphere with locally-owned specialty shops and restaurants, an acclaimed community theater, art guild and award-winning public schools. The area is home to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area, which offers a wide-range of activities and amenities for residents and visitors alike. Located in close proximity to major cities and nearby access to Interstate 24, Murray is just a few hours from Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville and Memphis. Learn more about Careers at Murray State University.

About Murray State Benefits:

Faculty and staff of Murray State University have access to a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, tuition waivers, generous paid holidays, vacation, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as many other benefit offerings. Please refer to the Murray State Benefits page for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Equal Opportunity Employer/AA. Murray State University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, disability or political or social viewpoint. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Type of Employment:

Regular Full-Time

Work Location:

Murray, KY

Employment Term:

12 Months

Position Type:

Staff - Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Department:

Dental Hygiene

Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Dental Hygiene Administrative Specialist for the Dental Hygiene Program provides comprehensive administrative, financial, and operational support for the Dental Hygiene Program and patient clinic. This position is responsible for coordinating daily clinic operations, managing patient scheduling and records, supervising front office activities, maintaining clinic inventories, processing financial transactions, supporting faculty and students, ensuring compliance and regulatory requirements, and providing exceptional customer service to patients. The Dental Hygiene Administrative Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for patients, students, faculty, and external healthcare providers, ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the teaching clinic and program.

• Coordinate all front office operations for the Dental Hygiene Clinic
• Create and maintain confidential patient and student records in accordance with university and regulatory requirements.
• Obtain dental radiographs, medial clearances, referrals, and other documentation from healthcare providers.
• Maintain patient recall systems and generate recall lists for student scheduling.
• Develop and maintain a patient classification system to ensure equitable patient distribution among students.
• Assist students in identifying, recruiting, and scheduling patients needed to meet clinical competencies.
• Supervise and train student workers assigned to reception during clinic sessions.
• Maintain financial records, balance daily clinic financial transactions, reconcile purchasing card transactions, invoices, and vendor charges.
• Manage inventory of office supplies, educational and patient care supplies, and dental, clinical, laboratory supplies.
• Process requisitions and special purchase requests for faculty and instructors.
• Arrange delivery of medical gases, including nitrous oxide and oxygen.
• Process dosimetry services for faculty, staff, and students.
• Ensure clinic documentation complies with applicable university, state, and federal regulations.
• Manage retention and destruction of patient records in accordance with record retention policies.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient health information in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
• Enter clinic schedules and student assignments into the dental clinic management software
• Create and maintain user accounts and passwords within the clinic software system.
• Maintain active and inactive patient records.
• Proctor examinations as requested by faculty.
• Support program outreach and recruitment activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Two years of college.

Minimum Experience and Skill Requirements:

• Four years of upper-level office experience in a business, government, or industrial setting. Additional college and related experience may be exchanged year-for-year to meet qualifications.
• Alertness, initiative, attention to accuracy, memory for oral and written directions or details, ability to plan and make decisions often without instruction or supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Keyboarding, filing, MS Office Suite programs, office procedures; bookkeeping may be required.
• Excellent decision-making skills, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Pleasant disposition and demeanor.
• Ability to multitask.

Preferred Education and/or Experience Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, healthcare administration, office administration highly preferred.

Posting Date:

08/28/2026

Closing Date:

09/11/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

Hourly Rate/Annual Salary:

$15.95 (Additional pay dependent upon qualifications)

Staff Grade:

104

Work Hours:

• Normal working hours.

Physical Demands:

• Normal for office environment.
• Occasional lifting of supplies and equipment.