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Many people learn to be dental office receptionists
through on-the-job training, but having an associate's degree in dental office
administration, medical administration, office management or a related field can
put you above the pack of applicants, especially in a tight job market. At a
minimum, you usually will need at least a high school diploma along with the
requisite skills to become a dental office receptionist. Greeting patients,
making appointments and collecting payments are major parts of the job for a
dental office receptionist. You need customer service skills mixed with a
friendly dose of assertiveness to really excel.Managing the front desk of a
dental office also can require strong coordination and organizational skills. At
a busy office, the day involves checking multiple patients in and out and
scheduling numerous appointments. Billing various insurance companies, answering
frequently ringing telephones and other duties also are part of the job. You
should have a flexible personality and be able to multitask if you want to
become a dental office receptionist. Scheduling appointments via telephone is
another task of a dental office receptionist, so strong phone skills and a
pleasant phone voice can be important. Strong computer skills are important to
become a dental office receptionist. Many dental offices use computerized
systems to track appointments and store and maintain patient records. Having
computer experience and being able to get up to speed quickly on different
computer programs is important. Knowing how to operate other office equipment,
such as fax machines, copy machines and scanners, also can be important. If you
want to become a dental office receptionist, it is a good idea to learn some
basic dental terminology. Go to the library and read a bit about dentistry.
Learn the numbers and names of the teeth and other terms used in the field of
dentistry. After you feel that you have solid knowledge and the necessary skills
to become a dental office receptionist, check job advertisements and job fairs
in your area for dental office receptionist positions. Look for job agencies
that specialize in placing medical and dental job seekers. Network with people,
and let them know the type of position you are seeking. Let your own dentist
know of your interest in becoming a dental office receptionist, because he or
she might have leads for open positions in the field. Research local dental
offices and send them your résumé. Even if a local office doesn't have an
advertised position, they might keep your information on file and contact you
when something comes open. If you have demonstrated your strong communication
and other skills in your cover letter and résumé, that can help you get your
foot in the door. |
