Dental Receptionist Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reviews and prepares the daily schedule for dental staff, monitoring the schedule and seeking to keep the schedule full.
- Answers the telephone, schedules patients for appointments and greets patients coming into the clinic.
- Generates and checks the encounter form for each patient at the completion of the visit to ensure it has been filled out accurately and completely.
- Makes appointments for patients according to the clinic’s scheduling policy; confirms appointments; follows up with patients who have broken their appointments according to the clinic’s broken appointment policy.
- Registers patients in clinic computer (verifying, updating, and correcting name, address, phone numbers, employer, insurance status, etc.); ensuring each patient coming in for services has an accurate record; creating new records when needed.
- Confirms with insurer (via computer, telephone, or POS) that the patient is covered by that insurance, verifies coverage limitations and eligibility for the services to be provided, and determines the patient’s estimated co-payment responsibility.
- Assists patients in completing dental history, consent and financial forms, if necessary.
- Completes the check-out process with the patient; collects co-pays and outstanding balances on patient accounts; scheduling follow-up appointments as needed to complete the treatment plan.
- Manages all aspects of the prior approval/authorization process—submits required documentation (via mail and/or computer as appropriate); monitors and tracks status of requests.
- Triages walk-in or emergency patients in accordance with the clinic’s walk-in/emergency policy and works those who meet emergency criteria into open slots in the daily schedule; schedules future appointments as available for patients whose needs are not urgent or emergent.
- Reconciles daily payments and prepares deposits.
- Inputs patient data into disease registries/tracking systems as appropriate.
- Performs photocopying, scanning, and other clerical duties.
- Notifies supervisor or other appropriate staff of conflicts or problems.
- Manages inventory of office supplies; orders and restocks as necessary.
- Opens and distributes mail.
- Other duties as assigned.
Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Ability to learn and use Electronic Dental Record/Practice Management system and any other computer programs used by the dental clinic.
- Knowledge of dental terminology.
- Working knowledge of office procedures and equipment.
- Is a team player.
- Accepts and offers guidance and supervision as appropriate.
- Attends and participates in staff meeting to review team progress in meeting financial and productivity goals for the dental program.
- Places a high value on personal and departmental performance excellence.
- Adheres to office dress code and standards of behavior.
- Maintains patient confidentiality.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Professional manner and appearance.
- Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Uses sick time appropriately.
- Responds professionally to high-pressure situations and time limits.
- Works independently with a minimum amount of supervision.
Essential Skills and Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Spanish speaking/bilingual is a
- High School Diploma or GED
- Previous dental reception, registration or billing experience preferred.
- Previous clerical experience preferred.
- Health services experience preferred.
