Dental Patient Access Specialist

• Full-time, eligible for a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans, life, retirement account with immediate 4% employer match/vesting, and paid vacation, sick, and holidays
• FLSA non-exempt
• The initial wage is $16.00/hr or higher for highly qualified candidates.
  
  

Urgently hiring - Candidate review begins 1/15/2025 - position open until filled.

Position Summary

Under the general direction and supervision of the Dental Operations Coordinator, the Dental Patient Access Specialist is the first point of contact for patients at our Butte dental clinic. This position uses excellent attendance, customer service skills, and professionalism to serve patients both in person and on the phone. Responsible for all aspects of patient check-in, scheduling appointments, and cash handling. This position also involves additional administrative duties including assisting with internal and external referrals, dental records management, data collection, preparing financial quotes for major dental procedures, provider templating and assistant scheduling, and other duties as assigned.

Shift is 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or when the last patient is complete. A lunchbreak is scheduled mid-day.

Education

Position Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent
  
  

Experience

• Two years prior experience in a high-volume office or customer service setting required
• One year prior medical, dental, or related office experience is strongly preferred
• Prior experience with Epic is strongly preferred
  
  

Other Requirements

• Highly skilled in the operation of a personal computer including the ability to learn and use all related organizational software required
• Must be passionate about helping vulnerable or underserved populations (adults and children)
• Must be extremely professional while performing duties in a high-volume environment
• Must work cooperatively with others at all times
• Excellent attendance and punctuality
  
  

Essential Functions, Roles, And Responsibilities

• Excellent attendance and punctuality is essential. Successful candidate must report to work on-time and as scheduled.
• Responsible for patient check-in and/or check-out according to SWMTCHC procedures
• Ensure that forms are signed with patient’s legal name and scanned into the system, including but not limited to; insurance cards, picture ID, income verification, Consent to Treat, Authorization of immunizations
• Responsible for verification of sliding fee, collecting payments, verifying patient balances and transactions utilizing the EPIC system
• Responsible for verifying insurance eligibility using specific online sites
• Responsible for printing receipts for money collected and balancing money and receipts at the end of the day
• Schedules, cancels, or reschedules patient appointments as needed
• Ensures that all screens and fields in the computer are filled out completely and accurately
• Instructs patients on what items to bring in at time of appointment, i.e. proof of income, insurance cards and copay, or a nominal fee for sliding fee
• Collects co-payments at time of service and/or make payment arrangements
• Identifies clinic and self when answering phones in a professional and courteous manner and direct calls to appropriate departments or personnel using staff messaging when appropriate
• Appropriately and accurately pulls records for patient care, quality review, and audits in a timely manner
• Maintain cleanliness of waiting room and front office
• Observe confidentiality and safeguards all patient related information according to HIPAA and SWMTCHC policy
• Verify authorizations in accordance with clinic policy and procedures and state and federal laws
• Maintain a good working relationship within the department and with other departments
• Adhere to clinic requirements, policies, procedures, and standards
• Provide excellent customer service
• File records according to established policy and procedure
• Monitor incoming faxes and correspondence when necessary
• Adhere to dress code; appearance is neat and clean
• Report to work on time and as scheduled
• Wear identification while on duty
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as directed
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

General office/clinic conditions are pleasant; good, clean working conditions where accident and hazards are negligible. Clear diction and acute hearing are necessary for effective communication with the staff and public. Work is scheduled and performed during clinic hours of M-F 7:45 am to 5-5:30 pm. Work in varying degrees of temperature (heated or air conditioned). Work under extreme pressures and deadlines. With or without accommodation, position generally requires sitting for approximately 4-6 hours per day and walking for 2-4 hours per day, light to moderate work with 20 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry, reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.

About Southwest Montana Community Health Center

Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a mission-driven, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). FQHCs are community-based healthcare providers that receive funding from the Federal government to provide comprehensive primary care services in underserved areas. FQHCs provide care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, and offer a sliding fee discount based on income. FQHCs must meet certain requirements to receive funding, such as providing services to medically underserved areas or populations, offering a comprehensive set of primary care services, and having a governing board that includes patients. Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a recognized National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH designation is gained by meeting certain standards set by the NCQA. These standards include providing comprehensive, coordinated care, using evidence-based practices, and engaging patients in their care. Community health centers that receive PCMH designation are recognized for providing high-quality, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes and reduces costs. PCMH is our model of primary care that emphasizes care coordination, communication, and patient engagement to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. The PCMH model encourages providers to work as a team to coordinate and manage care for patients, provide timely access to care, and use evidence-based practices to improve outcomes. The PCMH model also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, providing patients with the tools and resources they need to take an active role in their own health care. We opened our doors in 1986 under the name Butte-Silver Bow Primary Healthcare Clinic Inc. Our main clinic is in Butte, Montana, and we have locations in Dillon and Anaconda, Montana. We offer medical, dental, behavioral health, care management, pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy services to everyone. We accept most insurances and private-pay clients, as well as uninsured or underinsured clients. Our passion is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable to everyone. Our clinics care for more than 13,000 patients annually and employs more than 150 people in our various locations.