Oral Health Team Assistant

JWCH Institute, Inc. is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a mission to provide comprehensive health care to low-income and homeless individuals in the County of Los Angeles.

For many people, gaining access to dental care isn’t simply a matter of finding the nearest dentist. Some may face language and cultural issues that keep them from connecting with dental providers. Others may lack insurance coverage, transportation or childcare that would make it easier for them to visit the dentist. JWCH works to assist patients with navigating barriers and helping them achieve better oral health and improved overall health outcomes.

Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for explaining the benefits of good oral health and potential care options to patients and their families, as well as handling basic patient marketing activities for the Dental Department at various company and non-company sites. Additionally, this position will schedule and confirm appointments and provide basic administrative, clerical, and technical support services for the Dental Department. The OHT Assistant is also responsible for inventory management and supply ordering for oral health screenings and outreach events. The OHT Dental Assistant serves as a liaison between the Dental Clinics and the Medical Clinics in scheduling on-site oral health screenings. The position also involves community outreach at various company and non-company sites.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Prepare and deliver oral health presentations, explaining the benefits of good oral health and potential care options to patients and their families at various sites.
• Set up and coordinate all aspects of health fairs and other community outreach activities.
• Maintain marketing and educational materials, communicate basic oral health instructions, and provide giveaways (e.g., educational flyers, oral hygiene bags, etc.) to patients.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned by the Dental Director.
• Schedule and confirm appointments and perform reminder calls.
• Verify insurance eligibility and conduct financial screenings.
• Proactively manage patient flow to reduce cycle time and enhance the patient experience.
• Input all patient information into the practice management system.
• Assist patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and providing directions as authorized by the dentist.
• Coordinate oral health screenings at the medical and dental clinics and communicate with the medical care team to ensure screenings are completed and daily goals are met. Perform independent procedures as delegated by the dentist in accordance with state regulations, law, and Department directives and protocols.
• Maintain adequate supply operation and compile a list of item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintain a list of all scheduled oral health screening patients, monitor patient flow, and assist the dentist(s) in ensuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• Receive and place necessary telephone calls, consistent with professional etiquette.
• Ensure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directives, clinic policies, as well as state and federal regulations.
• Participate in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site, as required.
• Maintain Dental Department compliance with infection exposure control, safety, and HIPAA regulations as required by local, state, and federal guidelines, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies and procedures.
• Maintain predictable and regular attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.