Dental Patient Treatment Coordinator

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$20 - $23

About The Position

USC's Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry is hiring a bilingual English/Spanish Dental Patient Treatment Coordinator for its Advanced Orthodontics treatment clinic. This six-month fixed-term, full-time position works Monday through Friday. The coordinator works with patients and orthodontic residents to initiate and continue orthodontic treatment, support patient registration and insurance authorization or verification, and schedule appointments while monitoring patient flow. The role also communicates clinic procedures and policies, answers questions, explains general orthodontic concepts to parents, and translates treatment plans for Spanish-speaking patients and parents.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 2 years of experience.
Demonstrated experience in dental management and dental secretarial assistance.
Working knowledge of HIPAA compliance.
Excellent interpersonal customer-service and telephone skills.
Ability to multitask.
Working knowledge of dental terminology, PPO, Denti-Cal, and health insurance.
Ability to work scheduled evening and weekend shifts.
Team-oriented and collaborative work style.
Experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Three years of prior experience communicating with patients and families in a dental and/or orthodontic front-office position.
Excellent bilingual English and Spanish skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent verbal communication and telephone skills with patients and family members of all ages.
Ability to multitask.
Team-oriented and collaborative work style.
Basic knowledge of financial charges and payment functions.

Responsibilities

Guide patients through appropriate dental care according to established policies and procedures, monitor treatment progress against authorized sequential plans, and schedule care accordingly.
Work with dentists and patients to initiate or continue care, explain treatment plans, and arrange payments and treatment contracts.
Prepare and maintain student dentist, resident dentist, and dentist schedules, and assist with scheduling changes based on patient care forms.
Register patients, edit registration and dental records, and set up patient dental charts according to guidelines.
Update routine patient contact remarks in the electronic health record.
Verify insurance through telephone contacts and web inquiries; determine whether coverage is contracted with USC; determine and collect co-pays; provide patient pricing; and work with insurers to resolve billing and coverage issues.
Help patients who need financing obtain or arrange financing, payroll deductions, or payment plans.
Obtain required service pre-authorizations.
Maintain patient privacy, safety, and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and applicable policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe environment in accordance with compliance standards, policies, and safety regulations.
Communicate procedures and policies and answer questions from patients and parents in the orthodontic teaching clinic.
Explain treatment concepts and translate treatment plans for Spanish-speaking parents and patients.
Accept treatment payments and post them to the correct accounts.
Balance the cash drawer each day.
Review the patient ledger before answering financial questions to ensure the information is understood.