Dental Receptionist

Willamette Dental • Puyallup, WA

11d • $22 - $26

About The Position

The Dental Receptionist, referred to in the position summary as the Care Advocate, partners with the clinical team to provide quality customer service through coordinating patient flow and communicating with patients, doctors, practice managers, clinic staff, and appointment center representatives. The role supports patient engagement and oral health improvement by monitoring treatment completion, reinforcing provider recommendations, interventions, prescriptions, and recalls, and helping strengthen the therapeutic relationship between clinicians and patients. This position reports to the Practice Administrator.

The role manages the daily schedule, payment and deposit processes, patient and insurance information, charts, treatment scheduling, and patient communications. It also supports care coordination, including recalls, referrals, and triage of emergency and unplanned treatment calls. The position is based at the Puyallup Practice and is scheduled for four 10-hour shifts on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Travel to other Willamette Dental locations within a reasonable range may be needed based on business needs.

The work is primarily performed sitting and/or standing, with occasional walking, bending, stooping, and carrying light items. The employee uses a computer and standard office equipment. The role requires adherence to the company’s PPE policy, including use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required by regulatory bodies and company policy, and handling protected health information in accordance with HIPAA.

The expected hourly hiring range is $22.00 to $26.00, depending on factors including education, job-related knowledge and skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. The position is also eligible for incentive pay under the company plan.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to successfully demonstrate educational requirements regarding care advocacy through an electronic exam.
• Ability to successfully demonstrate case presentations regarding care advocacy to the Managing Doctor and Practice Manager.
• Reliable and predictable attendance.
• Ability to comply with the company’s PPE policy, including use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required.

Nice To Haves

• Post-secondary coursework, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the ability to perform the essential functions.
• Minimum of two years of customer service experience preferred.
• Medical or dental clinic or healthcare experience is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of HIPAA compliance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily schedule, identify opportunities to improve scheduling efficiency, monitor schedule changes, and promptly identify and correct scheduling errors.
• Understand payment methods, communicate fee requirements, collect and document payments for dental services, and properly handle monies.
• Balance the daily payment ledger, reconcile payments, complete and forward the M.O.O.L.A.H. form to the Accounting Department, complete deposit slips, and make timely daily bank deposits.
• Update patient cards and confirm and verify insurance information.
• Schedule treatment as directed by clinicians.
• Ensure charts are organized, prepared, and available for appointments; use proper chart routing; perform chart maintenance; prepare new patient charts according to current WD guidelines; and duplicate charts and records as requested.
• Build rapport with patients by providing thorough and accurate information, addressing questions or concerns about treatment plans, and providing a Statement of Services at each visit.
• Open and close the clinic and keep the reception area neat and clean.
• Partner with the clinical team to improve patient understanding of dental procedures, treatment series, and interventions.
• Understand provider expectations and reiterate clinical communication directives to patients.
• Partner with the clinical team to triage incoming emergency and unplanned treatment calls.
• Coordinate care by scheduling and reinforcing recalls, arranging referrals to internal and external providers, and answering patient care questions.
• Follow Willamette Dental’s PPE policy, including using N95 respirators and other PPE as required by regulatory bodies and company policy.
• Travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as needed based on business need.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance at scheduled work times.
• Handle protected health information in a manner consistent with HIPAA.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Life insurance
• Voluntary disability insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Two complimentary pairs of Fig scrubs for clinical roles
• Employee assistance program
• Minimum of 120 accrued PTO hours per employment year for eligible employees, prorated for part-time employees working less than 40 hours per week
• Seven paid holidays annually
• Incentive pay in accordance with the company plan

What This Job Offers

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