Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley hiring Dental Receptionist in San Jose, CA | LinkedIn (2025)

Job Description: Dental ReceptionistReports To:Dental Director

Status: Regular, Non-Exempt

Position Summary: Works with the Dental Director, staff dentist, and dental assistant. The dental receptionist handles all phone and front desk activity including scheduling, intake and registration, payments, patient education, referrals, follow-ups, management of patient records, handling of financial aspects of services rendered, data entry, statistics, and written correspondence with patients, providers, and payor source.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare area for opening and closing the department daily
• Schedule and confirm appointment, manage schedules so that dentists see a required number of patients each day
• Schedule appropriately based on dentist and patient needs and dentist needs
• Maintain dentist schedules daily, and update schedules on a timely basis
• Answer and manage telephone calls: collect information from patients or other callers, and provide information about our services, programs, insurance, billing, fees, payment plans, and dental education
• Determine patients’ specific dental concerns and inform dentist of these concerns, and of any medical conditions
• Register and do intake on each patient. Help patients’ complete registration and medical histories, including obtaining information from other providers
• Prepare, maintain, file, and update patient records
• Identify patient insurance benefits, payor source, and determine patient’s financial responsibility for services to be rendered
• Collect fees, create treatment fee estimates and arrange payment schedules in a confidential manner. Work with dental director and finance department to ensure payment of accounts
• Track and follow-up monthly on unpaid accounts and both self-pay and pending insurance claims
• Prepare pre-authorizations and review insurance claims
• Close the daily batch (day’s production and superbill pack)
• Compile statistical data as required by contracts or as directed by Dental Director
• Perform monthly follow-up of patients who have been referred to other providers, are due for follow
• Prepare letters to patients and other providers
• Work with the Dental Director, Assistant, and Staff Dentist to ensure smooth functioning of the department
• Provide support to on-call staff
• Maintain inventory and complete purchase orders for front desk and business supplies
• Process incoming mail daily, including insurance follow-ups and referrals
• Provide basic patient education
• Cross-train and serve as a back-up for clinical procedures, such as charting, preparation and clean-up of treatment rooms, and light sterilization duties
• Perform related job duties as requested by the Dental Director

Required Qualifications, Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrate proficiency with typing, general bookkeeping, and dental billing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of dental terminology
• Previous dental office experience or training preferred
• Understanding and compassion for Native American culture
• High School Diploma or GED is required
• Spanish Speaking a Plus
• Strong motivation to learn dental front desk and cross-training for light clinical duties is needed
• Strong customer and results orientation. Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds (e.g. culture, education, profession)
• Demonstrated ability to perform multiple administrative functions simultaneously in an accurate, organized, and efficient manner
• Ability to function independently and as a team member within diverse environments as well as a diverse staff composition
• Carries out all responsibilities in an honest, ethical and professional manner and demonstrates good judgment
• Interest and commitment to the mission of the Indian Health Center. Experience with nonprofit health organizations desirable
• Knowledge of office systems. Computer literacy and knowledge of Windows environment and popular software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Publisher, Photoshop)
• Knowledge of and ability to work with the American Indian community and other minority populations
• Possession of a valid California Driver License, automobile insurance, and a clean driving record
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Physical Requirements

• Will be working in a fast paced non-profit community health clinic environment and must be able to:
• sit, stand and walk for extensive periods of time;
• lift up to 35 pounds; and
• stoop, squat, or bend frequently
• Possess the manual and finger dexterity as well as the eye-hand coordination sufficient to accomplish the duties associated with your job description
• Ability to visually observe as well as hear and communicate with patients and professional staff
• Ability to do extensive work on the computer and the telephone in communicating with staff, patients, and vendors
  

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to airborne and blood borne infectious diseases and pathogens
• Normal working hours will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm although hours may vary depending upon business need
• Must be able to work independently and meet deadlines while also being an effective leader and collaborating with the agency-wide management team

Preference is given to qualified American Indians in accordance with the American Indian Alaskan Native Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Sections 472, 473 and 473a). Other than the above, the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is an equal opportunity employer including minorities, women, disabled and veterans.