Dental Support Specialist

Job description

I. SUMMARY
Under general supervision, registers and/or oversees the registration of patients for treatment in a clinic, ensuring that all policies and procedures are observed. Prepares forms, verifies insurance benefits, and explains financial requirements to patients. Manages patient referrals and secures insurance pre-authorizations for dental procedures
II. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Skills
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Word processing and/or entry skills.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Interviewing skills.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Ability to multi-task
• Skill in electronic Dental/Medical Records

Knowledge
• Knowledge of dental terminology and procedures.
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures and record keeping methods.
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Knowledge of Basic computer usage and programs such as Microsoft office.
• Basic reading and writing skills required.
• Principles, methods, and procedures of hospital financial policies, counseling and guidance.

Ability
• Ability to provide oral and written communication effectively.
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain filing systems.
• Ability to make mathematical computations and tabulations accurately and with reasonable speed.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to perform standard clinical procedures according to established protocols.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner.

Tasks and Responsibilities
• Confirms patient services needed, schedules evaluations and admissions.
• Records patient demographic, insurance, and billing codes into registration and billing system; research missing information on intake forms; obtains signatures and release forms.
• Provides assistance in the planning, coordination, and implementation of clerical, data entry, and operating procedures within the department.
• Provides general information; receives and directs visitors and/or patients.
• Schedules patient appointments for treatment.
• Confirms services needed by patients, and orients patient to specific dental procedure(s) and nature of treatment involved.
• Enroll and dis-enroll Medicaid patient.
• Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
• May contact attending physicians regarding services required by patients, evaluations needed and obtain relevant medical records.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Assist the supervisor as unusual problems arise.
• Assists in processing authorized referrals for enrollees.
• Submit pre-authorizations to dental insurance companies with supporting documentation (x-rays, narratives, periodontal charting, etc.)
• Track and follow up on pending authorizations and referrals
• Communicate approval, denial, or additional information requests to providers and patients
• Ensure those functions are done within the established policies, procedures and guidelines of BHCC.
• Develops and maintains a professional rapport with health care providers in the community (i.e.: physicians, hospitals, ancillary staff and support staff).
• Assist the supervisor as unusual problems arise.
• Support staff in assigned project-based work.
• Monitor fax for new referrals, document attachments, and results to scan into Dentrix or tie to current referrals
• Other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor as required.

III. REQUIREMENTS
• High School Diploma, or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of experience.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with consumers, administration, faculty, and staff.
• Handle the information with high level of confidentiality.