Practice Manager, Dental Hygienist - Tufts Dental Facilities for Special Needs - Tufts University

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs (TDF) is a network of seven outpatient clinics that provides dental care to approximately 7,000 developmentally disabled patients in the state of Massachusetts under the umbrella of TUSDM and in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Additional patient treatment is provided in the operating room setting at four affiliated hospitals within the state. The TDF program also provides a venue for teaching General Practice Residents through the Tufts GPR Program and 4th year dental students from TUSDM.

Under limited supervision of the Administrative Director, the Dental Hygiene Practice Manager is responsible for direct supervision of Dental Hygienists (DHs) for Tufts Dental Facilities’ (TDF’s) seven clinics.

• Oversees and monitors daily work of DHs to analyze, develop and implement sound, sustainable and innovative workflow processes to improve business management of assigned areas.
• The Practice Manager is responsible for monitoring policies, procedures, and guidelines in accordance Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) and Tufts University compliance related to procurement, travel, DPH clinic licensing standards and contractual agreements.
• The Practice Manager assures effective DH workflows to maximize revenue collections, by developing, implementing, utilizing, monitoring an end of day reporting workflow to ensure proper coding, reduction of billing errors, and maximized efficiency as part of overall revenue cycle management. This includes clinic capacity, appointment scheduling, no show and schedule utilization, patient flow and management.
• The Practice Manager will remain up to date on clinical processes, coding and MassHealth (MH) and Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) treatment exceptions and MH processes.
• Assures compliance as related to infection control as determined by OSHA, DDS, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and TDF's standard of care.
• Complies with HIPAA guidelines to ensure the confidentiality of protected health information.
• Provides direct support to the Administrative Director to meet deadlines related to production by running reports, analyzing, and compiling data from various software programs (dental and financial).
• Works collaboratively in conjunction with TDF management to share and develop new ideas, protocols, efficiencies, and treatment modalities.
• Responsible for recruitment, onboarding and training of DH staff.
• Will also build a temporary workforce.
• Visit all TDF clinics to observe and provide support to DHs on a routine basis to remain continually abreast of the practice of hygiene across the program.
• Manages special assignments with minimal direction while completing tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
  
• Create and maintain quality assurance for progress note completion and EHR account management for treatment documentation for all direct reports. Monitor billing and statistical forms for proper practice management of the patient care experience. Assure efficient and cost-effective scheduling.
  
• Participates in meetings and committees to discuss goals, vision, and strategic plans for assigned areas of responsibility; identifies and participates in continuous quality and service improvement initiatives, by working with various entities; finance, billing operations, IT and credentialing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements:

• BA/BS OR High School diploma and 5+ years in a dental setting
• MA Dental Hygiene License or MA Dentist
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn and work in a variety of systems
• Warm and caring personality needed in dealing with patients
• A team player and willing to participate in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Familiarity with clinical care, institution, or university experience
• Ability to resolve issues
• Should demonstrate willingness to articulate creative and innovative ideas for improving daily clinical activities
• Ability to work autonomously

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising staff is preferred but is not necessary

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

• This position is hybrid
• Requires frequent travel to all clinical sites and will work from home