Dental Assistant

Job Details

Description

Howard Brown Health is a nationally recognized leader in LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Our commitment to inclusive and affirming care has made us a cornerstone of the Chicago community. At Howard Brown, we believe in providing holistic, patient-centered care that empowers individuals and enriches lives.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to health equity and social justice.
• Work in a supportive, inclusive, and culturally competent environment.
• Access to continuous learning opportunities and professional development.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Contribute to groundbreaking health initiatives and research.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance with two PPO plans and an HMO plan.
• BCBS HMO, PPO, and PPO Select Plans
• BCBS Dental
• BCBS Vision
• Paid Time Off:
• 3-weeks paid vacation and 1-week of personal time
• 12 accrued sick days per year
• 10 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
• PTO Exchange allows employees to turn unused PTO into liquid assets
• 401k program with up to 5% employer match after 90 days 
• Employer-paid basic life insurance valued at one times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life and AD&D, and Short-term and Long-term disability
• Pre-tax commuter and parking benefit account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Forgiveness Programs; NHSC & PSLF
• Employee Assistance Program with 5 employer-paid counseling sessions
• 50% off at Brown Elephant Resale Shops and discounts at local businesses

What you can expect:

A Dental Assistant will provide a variety of reception services for clients, patients, and visitors including greeting and directing all visitors, collecting and recording client/patient payments, assisting in obtaining all third-party payer information, conducting financial assessments, answering and directing phone calls, scheduling appointments, calling clients to confirm their appointments, calling clients when schedules change to reschedule their appointments; ensuring that all client/patient services rendered are entered into the database on a daily basis. Supporting dental care delivery by preparing the treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials. Depending on training and experience, duties may include assisting in performing procedures compliant with the Dental Practice Act.

How you will make an impact:

• Greet and direct all Howard Brown Health visitors with behaviors that balance professionalism and create customer loyalty. Notify Howard Brown staff of all visitors, take messages, and provide basic referral information within the scope of knowledge and training.
• Focuses on customer’s well-being and HIPAA confidentiality.
• Input demographic information, billing information, and insurance into the dental management system.
• Conduct financial assessments for designated patients as described in the policy and procedure.
• Verify insurance benefits for all patients, upon change of insurance coverage, and/or an annual basis. Document covered benefits on the insurance verification form.
• Assist Patient Accounts Manager in billing and collection of patient accounts.
• Collects co-payments
• Checks ID and Insurance card for all visits
• Ensure patient compliance with the agreed payment plan.
• Assist in the development and revision of billing policies and procedures.
• Participate in agency-wide quality assurance and improvement as needed.
• Reviews procedures and makes suggestions for improvements that will positively affect patient loyalty, employee comfort- and Howard Brown’s profitability
• Maintain patient and financial records within standard dental record and accounting and HIPAA procedures.
• Check-in and check-out all patients using the time clock within dental management system.
• Schedule appointments for all dental patients including all follow-up appointments.
• Maintain balanced cash banks for all research studies stipends and cash drawer.
• Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist’s access; suctioning; passing instruments.
• Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient’s mouth.
• Provides diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies; pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Documents dental care services by charting in patient records.
• Generates patient referrals to specialists as ordered by Dentist, using the appropriate channels as dictated by the patient’s dental insurance carrier.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Safeguards confidentiality of the medical charts/records and complies with all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to medical records.
• Participates in all required team meetings and continuing education in-services.
• Adheres to Howard Brown Core Values and Customer Service Expectations.
• Participate in emergency preparedness plan as dictated by the policy and procedures.
• Performing other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILL REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or equivalency
• Previous dental experience
• Knowledge of HIPAA, OSHA, and regulations pertaining to the practice of dentistry in Illinois.
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with an interdisciplinary team

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

(Physical demands that must be met in order to successfully complete the essential functions of the job)

• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively.
• Requires ability to use computers, telephones and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• May require occasional bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• May require periodic travel.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Howard Brown are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.

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