Position Summary:

The position of Dental Receptionist is essential to providing an environment that allows smooth flowing operations between patients, dentists, and staff.  This position requires bilingual English/Spanish, some knowledge of dental terminology, and treatment of dental needs.  The Dental Receptionist deals directly with the public thus must have superior customer service skills, positive attitude, as well as excellent time and attendance.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

When a patient arrives:

1. Greet all patients with courtesy.
2. If new, have patient fill out intake sheet, assisting if necessary, and make new chart.  Re-verify address with license, letter, etc.  Place Xeroxed copy of patient’s dental insurance information into chart.  Re-verify forms of returning patients, making sure address, age, name spelling, social security number and phone number is correct. Give completed form to Dental Patient Service Coordinator to determine eligibility.
3. Make corrections on encounter form if any changes, and inform Dental Patient  Service Coordinator of information that needs to be updated.
4. Check chart for completeness, accuracy, and update as necessary.  Fill out date, patient age and sex, patient zip code, and mark Native American or Other on Progress Form, before sending chart to the operatory. 
5. Place chart in correct provider chart box and notify dental staff that the patient is ready to be seen.
6. Verify with Pt. Coordinator payments for all procedures that require pre-payment such as stayplates, crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures have been paid.
7. Inform back office staff of payment status.

When patient is through with appointment:

1. The Dental Staff will inform you of next needed appointment, or patient will present next appt needed slip. 
2. Log-in any outgoing lab cases, and referrals into Log Binder before dismissing patient. A copy of any referrals forms are placed in patient’s chart.
3. Make any dental appointment per dental provider’s request.
4. Make all delivery of crowns, and bridges when case is back from dental lab. Make all post-op. and any other urgent appointments as requested by provider.
5. Direct all estimates of treatment to Dental Patient Service Coordinator.
6. If appointment is scheduled, give patient a reminder card.
7. Before filing chart, check chart to be sure all procedures, and chart has been written by Dentist or Dental Hygienist.  If not, call this to their immediate attention when they are available, or leave in their mailbox for completion.
8. Before filing chart, check chart for any pre-authorizations needed. Direct any private insurance pre-authorization for services to Dental Patient Service Coordinator, and place Medi-Cal and programs pre-authorizations to Director, Evaluation & Projects for in-house pre-authorization approval.
9. Re-file completed dental charts at end of each day.
10. Handle any prescription refill request, and any records request. Document any requests made in patient’s chart notes noting requested info, date requested, and your initials.

Phone calls:

1. Answer all incoming phone calls.  Answer with politeness by stating “Dental Department” and identifying yourself. 
2. Screen new patient inquiries; inform patient of needed income verification, Medi-cal card or insurance card, and picture identification needed at first appointment.
3. Triage emergency calls and appoint at appropriate timeslots. 
4. Remind new patients to come in 30 minutes prior to appointment.  Remind return patients to come in 15 minutes prior to appointment.
5. Remind patients who are minors that parent/guardian consent is required before work can be done. 
6. Confirm all scheduled appointments at the end of each day after Dental Pt. Coordinator has verified patient coverage.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Inform supervisor of any disturbances in waiting room.
2. Restrict all unauthorized persons from dental operatories. 
3. Willingness to be cross-trained as a Dental Assistant.
4. Reschedule dental appointments and notification to patients of appointment changes as necessary.
5. Print and leave schedules for Dental Assistants to post in the operatories.
6. Ability to register patients into HealthPro system.
7. Ability to verify eligibility of Medi-Cal, dental private insurance, or other county or state programs when Patient Service Coordinator not present.
8. Ability to provide patient estimates of treatment.

Supervision and Guidance:

1. The Dental Patient Navigator supervises the Dental Receptionist.
2. Evaluations are based on assessment of attendance, overall job performance, ethics in the office, and initiative.  The Dental Patient Navigator will carry out the evaluation procedure and use such information to assess promotions, demotions, and dismissal.

Qualifications:

1. Education: Minimum of high school education or equivalent.
2. Background in dental office preferred.  Knowledge in dental procedures very helpful, but not essential.
3. Organizational skills essential.  Congenial personality essential.
4. Must possess ability to verbalize well in person and on the telephone and to conduct oneself in a respectable manner.
5. Must be able to write legibly.  Type at least 25 WPM.
6. Must complete yearly OSHA training and possess up-to-date CPR certification.

Benefits:

Native American Health Center (NAHC) considers our employees to be our most valuable resource and offers an excellent benefit package: competitive salaries, personal time off (PTO) program, and an employer contribution 403(b) retirement plan to full-time regular status employees.  We also provide medical, vision, dental and group term life insurance coverage for employees and their dependents. Employees are also eligible for a discounted membership to the Healthy Nations Wellness Center.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Section 472 and 473).  Applicants claiming Indian Preference must submit verification of Indian certified by tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Indian heritage.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin or other non-merit factors.  

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADEA (protecting individuals 40 years and older) and considers age a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):  Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADA and considers disability a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations.   Furthermore, NAHC will make any practical, feasible, and reasonable arrangements to accommodate qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Note to Applicants:  Please be advised that you may be asked to get a Department of Justice Fingerprinting clearance as a contingency for an offer of employment.  Criminal clearances are obtained to protect the welfare and safety of clients receiving services at NAHC.

If interested, please forward resume and cover letter to:

Sandra Tavel

Human Resources

3124 International Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94601 

Fax: 510.748.0116

Email:  HumanResources@nativehealth.org