OFFICE ASSISTANT - DENTAL

Job Role Summary

This position is responsible for serving as the front office assistant to the dentist(s) in all dental clinic and related matters. Responsible for basic office duties and other functions necessary for efficient operation of a busy dental office. Ability to speak fluent Spanish is preferred.

Essential Duties

• If bilingual, support/document translation and interpretation for non-English speaking clients.
• Type letters and create spreadsheets; answer telephone calls; receive, document and relay messages; program the clinic voice mail; sort/send mail to appropriate staff, internal and external departments, clients, and agencies. 
• Verifies insurance eligibility. 
• Maintain accurate patient records and all other documentation. 
• Maintain a productive clinic schedule. 
• Process and data enter patient information into the electronic dental record.
• Serves as the primary scanner and secondary indexer of patient documents into the data storage system for electronic health records.
• Arranges for referral of patients when requested by dentists. 
• Process and data enter front office supply orders. 
• Creates a favorable, positive work environment; identifies and responds to customer and co-worker needs in a courteous, professional, respectful and timely manner. 
• Demonstrates sensitivity, tolerance and respect to diversity issues/concerns and for others. 
• Consistently meets department and corporate attendance standards. 
• Consistently manages time effectively to ensure timely completion of assigned duties. 
• Works as a team player.
• Demonstrates flexibility in dealing with changing work demands.
• Expands abilities professionally and seeks new ways of improving services; initiates own learning opportunities. 
• Has access to confidential information.  Complies at all times with HIPAA regulations. Follows or takes appropriate procedures to protect and keep information confidential.
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually; occasional evenings or weekends may be required to assist with health fairs or other departmental/organizational activities and special events. 
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed; must complete NIMS training 100 and 700. 
• Reads, has knowledge of and complies with all Personnel Policies and Procedures as established by Health and Hospital Corporation. 
• Reads, acknowledges and complies with dental department quality assurance/improvement policies and procedures in accordance with the ADA, OSHA, CDC, State of Indiana and MCPHD guidelines, regulations or statutes. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Associated Job Duties

• Assist with seating patients and taking patient vitals.
• Assist with infection control procedures in the clinic by bagging instruments, sterilizing instruments, maintain sterilization reliability, and other clinic clean-up. 
• Must have reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• Specialized education/training in dentistry.
• 1 year of previous experience.
• Reliable transportation.
• Fluent in written and spoken Spanish is preferred but not required.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Current CPR Certification.
• Valid Indiana drivers’ license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge in utilizing computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Proficient in utilizing the electronic dental record and the data storage system for electronic health records software and other organizational software.

Working Environment

• Unconfined sitting: 20%
• Confined sitting: 70%
• Standing or walking: 25%
• Steady use of hands or fingers: 50%
• Bend, lift, carry, etc. with arms and legs: 5%