Public Health Office Assistant

Job Title: Dental Public Health Office Assistant Location: Maury County, TN, 38401 Duration: 10 months Work Setting: Onsite Shift : 8am – 5 pm Position Overview The Maury County Health Department (MCHD) is seeking a Dental Public Health Office Assistant to support daily operations within the dental clinic. This role is responsible for providing administrative and front office support, including patient registration, appointment scheduling, insurance verification, referral coordination, and maintaining electronic dental records. The ideal candidate is customer-focused, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and enjoys working in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Candidates should be willing to travel throughout the region as needed. Key Responsibilities Patient Registration & Scheduling Schedule, confirm, and manage patient appointments. Check patients in and out of the dental clinic. Inform patients of appointment requirements and clinic procedures. Make patient reminder and follow-up calls. Coordinate patient referrals. Administrative & Office Support Collect and update patient demographic and registration information. Review documentation to determine eligibility for federal and state assistance programs. Enter and maintain accurate data in health department information systems. Scan and index records into the electronic dental record (EDR). Compile required forms to support efficient clinic workflow. Insurance & Financial Responsibilities Assist with obtaining insurance prior authorizations before services are rendered. Gather and submit required documentation for insurance approvals. Process daily cash drawer transactions and reconcile balances. Ensure compliance with privacy and authorization requirements before releasing medical information. Customer Service Educate patients on their rights and responsibilities regarding health programs. Provide professional, courteous customer service to patients and visitors. Maintain a positive, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment. Perform other administrative duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum 2 years of customer service, clerical, or office administration experience. Valid driver's license required. Ability to pass a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) background check. Strong customer service and communication skills. Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities. Proficiency with computer systems and data entry. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Willingness to travel throughout the region as needed. Education Substitution College coursework from an accredited institution may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis (up to two years). Preferred Qualifications Active Tennessee Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license. Previous dental front office experience. Knowledge of dental terminology. Experience with dental insurance verification and coding. Experience with Electronic Dental Records (EDR). Ability to provide chairside assistance during staffing shortages or emergencies. Required Skills Patient Registration Appointment Scheduling Medical/Dental Reception Customer Service Data Entry Electronic Dental Records (EDR) Medical Records Management Insurance Verification Prior Authorization Referral Coordination Cash Handling Microsoft Office Administrative Support Front Office Operations HIPAA Compliance Preferred Skills Dental Front Office Dental Terminology Dental Insurance Coding Tennessee RDA License Chairside Dental Assisting Healthcare Administration Public Health Experience Domain Primary Domain: Healthcare Administration / Dental Administration Functional Area: Dental Front Office Patient Services Medical Office Administration Healthcare Customer Service