OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
What does an Office Administrator do?
The office administrator keeps a dental practice running smoothly. This role is integral to the dental team and can involve administrative, managerial, and interpersonal responsibilities. Roles range from administrative assistant to office manager.
Specifically, if you are in office administration, your duties may include:
- managing or overseeing both patient and staff schedules.
- maintaining and organizing patient records, including medical histories, treatment plans, and insurance information.
- billing and financial management for the practice. This could include budgeting and enacting expense control measures.
- ensuring the office adheres to all healthcare regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- tracking license renewals and certifications for the dental team to comply with state regulations.
- greeting patients, answering phones, and responding to patient inquiries.
- overseeing implementation and use of dental practice management software for scheduling, billing, and record keeping.
- coordinating equipment and building maintenance and repair.
Is this a good career for you?
A successful office administrator is:
Highly Organized and Detail Oriented
You’ll be managing significant amounts of information. Accuracy is critical, especially when handling patient records, billing, and scheduling.
Empathetic, Patient, and Friendly
Depending on your duties, you may be the first person a patient sees and/or hears when they reach out to the practice. You will set the tone for the patient experience.
A Good Communicator
Clear communication is key, whether you’re interacting with patients, the dentist, the dental team, insurers, or vendors.
Comfortable Using Software and Technology
You’ll spend time using practice management software and other equipment to run the office efficiently.
Financially Adept
You’ll need to understand basic financial principles to effectively oversee billing, budgeting, and expense control.
HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE?
HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR IN NORTH CAROLINA
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR PROGRAMS IN NORTH CAROLINA
How much can I make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dental office administrators in North Carolina is $45,550.
How to become an Office Administrator in North Carolina
While there’s no specific certification needed to be an office administrator, certain skills are required. You’ll need to understand medical terminology, information systems, coding, legal, and how to handle ethical issues.