Dental Receptionist - Tacoma

Willamette Dental; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 35,817; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) retirement plan with 5% match

PTO: Minimum of 120 hours per year

Job summary

A dental care provider in Tacoma is seeking a Care Advocate to coordinate patient flow and communicate effectively with patients and clinical staff. The role requires a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of customer service experience, preferably in a healthcare setting. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 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 highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily schedule and maximize scheduling efficiencies.
• Communicate payment methods and collect payments for dental services.
• Ensure charts are organized and prepared for patient appointments.
• Build rapport with patients by providing thorough information.
• Coordinate care by scheduling recalls, referrals and answering patient questions.

Job description

Overview

Base pay range: $22.00/hr - $26.00/hr • Location: Tacoma • Position Type: Full Time • Schedule: 4 10-hour shifts (40 hours per week) • Expected Hiring Range: $22 - $26 per hour.

Position Summary

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.

Essential Position Functions

• 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 balances daily payment ledger and reconciles payments. Properly completes MOOLA H form and forwards to Accounting Department. Accurately completes deposit slips and makes 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.
• Initiates a partnership and builds rapport with patients by providing thorough and accurate information and addressing any patient questions or concerns related to their treatment plan, as well as provides Statement of Services at each visit.
• Responsible for opening and closing the clinic. Maintain 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 enhance 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 PPE policy, including use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required by regulatory bodies and company policy.
• Flexibility to travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as described in our Travel Policy as needed based on business need.
• Reliable and predictable attendance is essential.

Education And Experience

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 highly desirable, including strong knowledge of HIPAA compliance procedures.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

• 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.

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on factors including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the company plan.

Company Benefits

Willamette Dental offers benefits for this position, subject to eligibility: medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match, life insurance, voluntary disability insurance, commuter benefits, scrubs, and employee assistance program. PTO: Eligible employees will accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per year plus seven holidays annually. The PTO program combines vacation and sick leave.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing, with occasional walking, bending, stooping and carrying light items. A computer and standard office equipment are used to complete tasks.

Equal Opportunity

Willamette Dental is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable laws. This job description is not all-inclusive and may be revised. This position may be exposed to PHI and will handle protected information in a manner consistent with HIPAA.