Dental Office Manager Job Description
Dental office managers supervise dental clinics and dental departments of hospitals, schools or other establishments. They answer to the dentists and are responsible for the smooth operations in the establishment. Making sure that the patients’ records, histories, dental laboratory results are accurate is one of the main tasks under the dental office manager job description. These managers also oversee the office and ensure that all dentists, assistants, and other staff coordinate with each other.
Responsibilities
The duties that come with the dental office manager job description vary largely with the size of the dental department or clinic. Besides supervising the business operation, those working for private clinics may have to perform some administrative tasks such as scheduling and record keeping. Dental office managers working for bigger clinics like hospitals, schools or a company’s dental department handle more complex duties. In hospitals, these managers oversee the work of scheduling coordinators and make sure that everything is accurate. Managers also direct third party companies when handling patient finances, collections and other related transactions. Hiring, training and supervising the work of newly hired and part-time employees and other independent contractors such as cleaning personnel, clinic maintenance, and equipment technicians are other duties under the dental office manager job description. Dental office managers also analyze the development of the department, staff member performance, and problems that may require urgent resolutions.
Training and Education Requirements
The minimum educational requirement to become a dental office manager is a high school diploma. However, a candidate should also have an administrative and clerical experience in a dental office. Some high school students get part-time jobs in a dental office to gain experience. Courses in business administration, biology and computer science are also beneficial for candidates. They can also take short courses in Dental Office Management offered in most dental schools.
Working Conditions
Dental office managers typically spend their working hours in an office-setting environment. They work forty hours a week. They sit long hours in front of a computer, which may result to eyestrains. Occasional travels may be necessary when training new dental staff or meeting third party companies to coordinate with the department’s financial transactions.
Certifications
Although certification is not a requirement to become a dental office manager, it can open doors to a higher pay rate and job advancement. Most universities, community colleges and vocational schools offer certification in dental assisting. This certificate program lasts for a year and covers the fundamentals in dental assisting and some administrative skills such as customer service, bookkeeping, scheduling, insurance procedures and telephone etiquette.
Salary and Wages
The salary of dental office managers largely depend on the skills and years of experience in the field. The average salary of an entry-level manager ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Managers with 2 to 4 year of experience can expect an amount ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 annually. Those working for more than 5 years in the field can get an average earning of $65,000 per year. The size, type and location of the employer are also factors affective the pay rate of managers.