Dental Receptionist

Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) • Arlington, WA

2d • $46,134 - $60,154

About The Position

The Dental Receptionist works as part of a team with clinic support staff and healthcare providers, performing clerical, reception, administrative, and secretarial tasks. The role includes answering and screening calls, taking messages, scheduling appointments, obtaining billing information, checking in patients, and maintaining and updating patient demographic data.

The Receptionist helps coordinate patient flow, supports insurance eligibility and sliding-fee processes, receives payments, maintains financial and patient records, coordinates interpreter and transportation services, and helps keep the clinic and reception area operating smoothly. The position also involves maintaining office supplies and equipment, opening and closing the clinic and reception areas, and following organizational infection-control, confidentiality, cash-handling, and attendance practices.

Requirements

• Read, speak, understand, and write proficiently in English.
• Work independently and be self-directed.
• Work effectively in a team environment.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple activities and tasks.
• Work with initiative, energy, and effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Produce work in high quantity and quality.
• Solve problems with creativity and ingenuity.
• Remain calm and effective in high-pressure and emergency situations.
• Use multi-line telephones and other office machines.
• Be proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• One year of customer-service-related experience working with the general public.
• One year of clerical, reception, dental assisting, administrative, or secretarial experience, or a combination of equivalent education and work experience.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills.
• Knowledge of dental terminology.
• Graduate of an accredited Office Skills Certification Program or related field.
• Graduate of an accredited Dental Administrative Assistant Certification program or related field.
• Experience working with insurance or billing in a healthcare setting or insurance organization.
• Experience in a multiple-provider dental practice.
• Familiarity with digital imaging.
• Experience with healthcare information systems, such as electronic health records and practice management systems.
• Experience working with low-income, multi-ethnic populations.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients, interpreters, and visitors in person and by phone; respond to inquiries, take messages, and provide accurate information about schedules and services.
• Check in, register, and schedule patients in the practice management system; maintain appointment schedules and follow office scheduling policies.
• Verify and update patient demographic information in the electronic record at each visit.
• Help manage patient flow, coordinate walk-in and add-on patients, and communicate with the back office about walk-ins, cancellations, recalls, and delays.
• Route or file documents and mail appropriately.
• Assist with insurance eligibility verification.
• Verify income for sliding-fee patients and assist with sliding-fee applications as delegated.
• Receive patient payments, answer or appropriately refer billing questions, and maintain records of financial transactions.
• Prepare daily bank deposits and reconcile receipts, including cash, checks, and bankcard transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and security.
• Order interpreter and transportation services and coordinate with outside organizations regarding patient services.
• Assist with confirming appointments as needed.
• File and retrieve charts from storage and accurately log chart movements to prevent loss and protect confidentiality.
• Open and close the clinic and reception areas during business hours.
• Keep the work area and reception lobby neat and orderly.
• Maintain adequate inventory of office supplies and clinical forms.
• Maintain and troubleshoot office equipment and machines, including calculators, copiers, fax machines, and printers.
• Assist other departments when called upon.
• Follow organizational infection-control practices and the written plan.
• Meet attendance standards to support daily operations and continuity of patient care.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Up to 120 hours of vacation time every 12 months, prorated by FTE.
• Paid sick leave.
• 10 paid holidays.
• 403(b) Safe Harbor retirement plan with employer match.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• $0.75 per hour for employees who test proficiently in a second language.
• Competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package addressing health, time off, retirement, and career-advancement needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED