Patient Care Coordinator - Dental Assistant - Merritt Island

Coast Dental•Merritt Island, FL

About The Position

Assist the dentist in providing dental treatment, care, and education to patients. The role requires strong knowledge of clinical needs and working knowledge of back-office dental procedures and dental administrative functions. An Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification must be held upon hire or obtained within 90 days after hire. The coordinator supports clinical procedures, patient documentation and education, treatment planning, appointment scheduling, insurance and financial explanations, equipment and operatory readiness, infection control, and patient follow-up. The role also requires compliance with company procedures, OSHA and infection-control standards, HIPAA, state guidelines, and applicable legal requirements. The employee attends office meetings and scheduled training, maintains a professional working environment, and performs other assigned duties.

Requirements

Active Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification, or, when assisting in Florida, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license or Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate obtained before May 2009, subject to state guidelines and limitations.
Radiography licensure.
Retain a Registered, CDA, or EFDA license and demonstrate proficiency in expanded dental assistant functions in accordance with state guidelines and limitations.
Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification upon hire or within 90 days after hire.
Excellent customer service and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of dental experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with clinical procedures and treatments and observe the duties permitted for dental assistants.
Learn and follow Coast’s administrative procedures and OSHA laws and safety guidelines.
Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Follow state and federal infection-control standards, including use of protective barriers, instrument and treatment-area disinfection and sterilization, and proper disposal of contaminated or biohazardous materials.
Review and complete patient documentation, including current medical histories, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document and chart dental procedures performed during each patient visit according to the dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
Welcome and escort patients to and from treatment areas, schedule appointments, and assist with appointment confirmation calls.
Provide dental education and information to help patients understand dental health and continuing treatment.
Present treatment plans and proposed continuing treatment professionally and confidentially.
Explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in nonclinical terms.
Keep operatories equipped and stocked, and reorder inventory when necessary.
Follow equipment protocols, including cleaning the evacuation system, lubricating and maintaining dental handpieces, cleaning and maintaining radiograph processors, monitoring and cleaning equipment, cleaning dental lab plaster traps, and maintaining a clean office environment.
Notify the Office Manager of equipment failures or general safety concerns.
Assist with laboratory duties as necessary.
Recognize signs of dental emergencies and ensure a proper, timely response and notification to the patient, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Understand and maintain production standards.
Use and maintain a system for patient follow-up and re-care.
Maintain a professional working environment within the office team.
Attend and participate in morning huddles and regular office meetings.
Follow company uniform and personal hygiene standards.
Attend continuing education and training seminars as scheduled.
Follow HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.