Dental Assistant 1

Description

Description

Dental Assistant I
Norristown, PA
$21-22/hour

Mon-Fri

POSITION PURPOSE: This position is responsible for the prompt and courteous assistance to all patients of Delaware Valley Community Health, Inc. The Dental Assistant I completes all initial paperwork involved in registering patients and preparing them to be examined by a dentist. Additionally, as part of a collaborative team is responsible for preparing materials and equipment for treatment, as well as preparing patient for treatment.

Clinical Duties

• Prepares the operatories for individual patient treatments, including complete preparation and maintenance of dental instruments, materials and equipment according to current infection control procedures.
• Maintains cleanliness and orderliness of operatories and laboratory.
• Assists with the efficiency of the patient flow according to the schedule and walk-ins.
• Prepares patients for treatment by greeting, comforting, seating and draping patients.
• Provides information to patients by familiarizing the patient with aspects of the dental visit, provide support and compassion, and answering questions as needed.
• Reviews, collects and updates patient health history for dentist prior to examination.
• Takes blood pressure and pulse of the patient.
• Places " medical alert" and "allergic to" sticker on the patient electronic record when required.
• Educates patients in oral hygiene and dental care.

Electronic Charting

• Documents dental care services rendered in patient electronic record accurately and timely.
• Documents dental care services and treatments planned yet not accomplished in patient electronic record.

Customer Service

• Provides patients with age-appropriate dental health education and instruction.
• Delivers patient personal dental care instructions post visit.
• Confirms patients’ appointments.
• Schedules patient appointments as requested.
• Communicates with patients in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care and records.
• Handles telephone communications and answers inquiries relating to dental services as appropriate
• Ensures that the reception area is neat at all times.

Clerical

• Keeps all cabinets well stocked, ensuring that expendable items are used on a timely basis.
• Maintains a supply order list for expendable items.
• Sends and receives prosthodontics cases to and from the dental lab.
• Maintains all equipment, appliances, and instruments under efficient, functional, and sterile conditions to meet OSHA and safety regulations.

Patient Assistance

• Greets patients and visitors courteously.
• Processes appointment and walk-in patients.
• Generates encounter forms.
• Arranges the patients next appointment
• Completes insurance claim forms as needed for each patient.
• Assists patients in completing required forms.
• Verifies insurance coverage for each patient.

Patient Record Management and Clerical Duties

• Maintains all patient records for the dental department.
• Pulls patient files prior to a scheduled appointment.
• Returns patient files after a dental appointment.
• Generates appointment schedules.
• Prepares check requests for payment of departmental bills.
• Prepares estimates for dental work.
• Arranges patient payment plans.
• Receives, sorts, and distributes departmental mail.
• Prepares office supplies requisitions.
• Keys in all encounter forms, no shows and new patients.

Billing

• Evaluates and updates patients’ insurance status.
• Determines sliding fee scale for all new and established under-insured and uninsured patients.
• Verifies all benefits for commercial insurance patients.
• Posts personal payments.

Supplemental Duties

• Completes other duties as requested by the Health Center Manager, Team Leader, Dental Assistants or the Dental Director.

Nothing in this job description restricts the management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities on this job at any time.

Delaware Valley Community Health, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND KNOWLEDGE: Highschool graduation or GED required. Basic computer skills are required. Experience using digital software preferred and/or previous dental experience is preferred. Ability to use Electronic Dental Record (EDR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) programs. Prior knowledge of the various insurance plans in which the organization participates is preferred. Must present a positive and enthusiastic demeanor while directly working with patients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is active in nature. Extended periods of time may be spent at a computer terminal. Occasional local travel may be required to meet operational needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily performed in a busy, multi-cultural ambulatory care setting. There is routine exposure to infectious disease and blood borne pathogens associated with a clinical work environment. Protective equipment must be used and strict safety rules must be followed.