Dental Assistant

Description

Responsible for scheduling patient appointments, registering patients arriving for appointments and the accurate collection and record-keeping of payments received for services rendered in the dental clinic. As well as updating patient information as needed in the patient management system. Assists dentists, hygienists and patient access specialists in the direct provision of primary care dental services, the treatment and education of patients, and for maintaining dental equipment, instruments, and the patient care environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Represents San Jose Clinic and exhibit conduct in a professional and consistent style.

2. Works as a member of the dental team and with other departments to ensure coordination of patient care.

3. Schedules, coordinates and reschedules patient appointments to ensure the provider schedules are maximized and patients are scheduled with the appropriate provider (dentist/hygienist).

4. Contacts patients in a timely manner to confirm appointments and/or follow up or missed appointments.

5. Verifies patient contact information with each patient encounter, such as patient address, telephone numbers and email address.

6. Oversees general correspondence and medical consultation correspondence with physicians

7. Prepares triage documentation, as needed, for review by the daily dentist on duty.

8. Ensures patient prosthodontic contracts are completed and signed prior to a patient’s first impression.

9. Scans dental records into charts thereby ensuring that all information is present in the chart; including, but not limited to contracts, treatment plans, referrals, medical clearances & RX’s.

10. Accurately processes encounter forms and walkouts as patients complete their appointments.

11. Accurately collects payments for services rendered, ensuring proper documentation and secure handling of financial transactions.

12. Answers questions regarding patient accounts. Referring patients to the Dental Practice Manager for clarification or discussion of account balances, and/or payment agreements.

13. Maintains appropriate levels of cash balances in cash drawer per clinic procedure; balance daily input of coding to actual money or deposit.

14. Ensures prosthodontic cases are returned in a timely manner from the dental lab and are available for the patients next appointment

15. Maintains a clean well-equipped clinic, properly functioning equipment, and organized patient care areas.

16. Prepares operatory for patient care by cleaning, sanitizing and maintaining equipment.

17. Performs consistently in the recording of medical & dental histories, patient vital signs, charting, dental radiographs and securing the appropriate consent forms as needed.

18. Sterilizes dental instruments, prepares dental trays for appropriate dental procedures, and restocks supplies as needed.

19. Provides chair-side assistance to dentist during dental procedures, complex treatments and special tests.

20. Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse incidents during treatment of patients.

21. Notifies appropriate staff of patient treatment which needs follow-up: referrals, medical clearances, RX’s, and appointments.

22. Reinforce after-care instructions to patients.

23. Explains treatment plans to patients including the patient’s contribution for recommended treatment.

24. Reviews patient records daily for thoroughness, signatures, and legal documentation.

25. Works closely with the Dental Practice Manager and helps to identify new ways to enhance department policies, procedures, and patient care.

26. Understands and implement OSHA Standards.

27. Complies with all Federal, State and institutional regulations & guidelines for provision of dental outpatient services, including HIPAA.

28. Maintains complete and accurate dental records in the Practice Management and Electronic Health Record system.

29. Maintains established SAN JOSÉ CLINIC policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.

30. Maintains confidentiality of patient information/records at all times including, but not limited to phone calls, voicemails, referrals, patient charts, any verbal & written communications.

31. Implements job responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with the SAN JOSÉ CLINIC Mission and Code of Conduct and is supportive of SAN JOSÉ CLINIC cultural diversity objectives.

32. Performs other related duties as assigned.

BENEFITS: 

• Medical, dental, and vision
• 401(K) 4% match
• 19 PTO days
• Floating holiday
• DEI day
• 11 paid holidays
• Group life insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
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