Patient Access Service Specialist - School of Dentistry

Department Overview

The School of Dentistry shares the mission of the Oregon Health & Science University to provide educational programs, basic and clinical research, and high quality care and community programs. We strive to foster an environment of mutual respect where the free exchange of ideas can flourish. The dental school prepares graduates in general dentistry and the dental specialties to deliver compassionate and ethical oro-facial health care.

Read more about the School of Dentistry: OHSU School of Dentistry 

Function/Duties of Position

The School of Dentistry (SOD) Patient Access Service (PAS) Specialist provides courteous and comprehensive administrative support services for patients, students,faculty, staff, and visitors at the OHSU Dental Clinics in the School of Dentistry. These duties include but are not limited to answering phones, patient registration, insurance verification, collection of payments, balancing cash drawer, answering billing questions, and other administrative tasks as assigned that support all of OHSU Dental Clinics. The SOD PAS Specialist must be able to consistently perform all the functions of the job in order to maintain excellent and comprehensive service for all the patients, students, faculty and staff.

The SOD PAS Specialist works in a high public contact area dealing with patients and staff in a positive and consistent manner. Each employee must interact with the patients both in person and on the phone, some in acute dental pain, in a friendly, knowledgeable, and appropriate manner. SOD PAS Specialist will schedule appointments for new patients, referred patients, and existing patients by following instructions tailored to each clinic's guidelines. This position is expected to provide excellent customer service for patients and is a part of improving patient experience by identifying patients' needs, researching and informing process changes.

The SOD PAS Specialist are responsible for knowing SOD clinic policies including but not limited to appointment scheduling, payments, and insurance, and must be able to communicate these policies with patients, students, faculty, and staff. Each OHSU Dental Clinic at the SOD may have different policies specific to their department, and the SOD PAS Specialist will be required to use their judgement to implement the appropriate policy or give information specific to each situation they encounter.

The SOD PAS Specialist may be deployed to different desks, floors, or work stations throughout each day to cover areas at peak times. The SOD PAS Specialist must be flexible and be able to complete work with considerable independence on a daily basis. The SOD PAS also provide support to the Russell Street Clinic and could be deployed to work at that clinic depending on business needs. 

Required Qualifications

• Six months of work experience in a medical office setting, including high volume direct patient contact OR
• One year of work experience in a high volume direct public contact position
• Basic computer keyboarding skills including typing of 30 - 45 wpm
• Computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Previous cash handling experience
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills with the ability to handle difficult people and situations with diplomacy and tact
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Must have numerical comprehension skills
• Able to maintain the confidentiality of information
• Exercise discretion when dealing with issues of a sensitive nature
• Able to accurately enter and maintain sensitive data and patient information into electronic computer database
• Ability to maintain cash drawer accuracy
• Employee must be able to multi-task and demonstrate high productivity while working in an environment with many interruptions, distractions and limited physical space
• Proven reliability in attendance and accountability

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]