Dental Hygienist/Care Connector Job ID: A23-095 Location: Pickford, MI About Our Family:
Established in 1978, Alcona Health Center (AHC) is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to making a lasting impact in the Northern MI communities we serve, offering medical, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services. As a member of the AHC family, you will join a team of over 300 coworkers, all devoted to providing quality health care to all residents of our communities, regardless of their ability to pay.
Your Valued Contributions:
Reporting to the Dental Site Manager, the Dental Care Connector facilitates the connection between patients and coordination of care for appropriate dental services and resource utilization for patients while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction. Connect patients with the care they need either through Alcona Citizens for Health, Inc., or provider of patient's choice. Works in collaboration with the patient care team to achieve quality clinical and cost outcomes from a patient centered perspective.
Provides quality clinical dental hygiene services, as well as oral health education, to patients of assigned clinic(s). Conducts off-site oral health clinics.
As Dental Hygienist:
Direct Patient Care Activities Responsible for assessing/obtaining clinical evidence of patient's oral health status Responsible for assessing patient's medical history Exposes appropriate radiographic images for the purpose of diagnoses and treatment of dental conditions Provides appropriate treatment for periodontal disease conditions and routine oral hygiene maintenance for indicated patients in conjunction with dentist. Communication and Health Information Entered into Record Educates patient and parents of minors in all aspects of oral hygiene care. Enters appropriate treatment information into patient record in a timely fashion. Communicates patient's oral health status to dentist to insure adequate provision of care. Periodontal charting completed accurately in accordance with patient's oral health status. Progress notes entered into electronic record to insure appropriate ongoing patient care. Community Outreach Functions Completes clinics in an organized, thorough and professional manner. Enters accumulated data into appropriate computer systems. Analyzes data and prepares reports in collaboration with the Dental Operations Manager and outreach staff. As Care Connector:
Assists in dental system navigation and identification of barriers. Serves as the contact point, advocate, and informational resource for patients, care team, family/caregiver(s), and community resources. Works with patients with incomplete treatment plans, high no show, and cancellation rates to identify barriers to care, provide education and assistance with keeping appointments, and completing treatment plans. Connects patients who do not have a dental home, or those who do not access available dental services, with needed services and finding a dental home. Coordinates with others on the patient's care team. Process prior authorizations for dental treatment and work with patients, and family/caregivers to fully understand cost of dental procedures that are needed. Work collaboratively, respectfully and positively with medical staff to make a successful connection with an appropriate dental care provider based on the patient's needs. Plans, schedules and monitors a school-based effort to conduct dental screenings, provide oral health education, and maintain a referral system for students who are in need of treatment. Schedules dental screenings and oral health education efforts with all participating school districts. Maintains and monitors school-based oral health toolkit that includes permission forms, payment information and other information that meets all HIPAA and state regulation requirements. Obtains and completes appropriate patient consent/medical history forms, ensures patient confidentiality and maintains orderly medical records. Follows established Public Health medical records policies and procedures as well as the State and Federal laws that govern the release of health care information. Assists in coordinating requirements for the set-up of equipment and supplies at off-site locations. Determines and implements school clinic schedule and confirming dental professionals and staff. Work with patients to plan and monitor care. Assess patient's unmet dental needs. Ensures patient does not experience barriers to completing treatment plans created by a dental provider. Monitor adherence to treatment plans, evaluate effectiveness, monitor patient progress in a timely manner, and facilitate changes as needed. Review and monitor generated reports on an on-going basis and contact Alcona Health Center's (AHC) patients whose care plan is not-up-to date within established preventive and chronic illness care guidelines. Referring as appropriate for these needs. Audit Emergency Department (ED) reports to contact, for education and follow-up treatment, those patients who have presented at the ED for oral health issues. Assist patients in identifying and prioritizing individual health care needs based on AHC internal and external regulations and dental standards of care. Facilitate patient access to appropriate dental and specialty providers. Educate patient and family/caregiver(s) about relevant community resources. Cultivate and support primary care and specialty provider co-management with timely communication, inquiry, follow-up, and integration of information into the care plan regarding transitions-in-care and referrals. Completes documentation of care management activities and enters data into AHC Electronic Health systems and external registries, as required. Document activities in a thorough, competent and compliant manner. Required Training & Experience: Possesses a current CPR certification. Possesses a current State of Michigan Dental Hygienist license Possesses a current State of Michigan driver's license and valid automobile insurance. Word and Excel. Use of Electronic Health Records system. We're Here For You:
Supporting Balance: As a part of our family, you will work part or full time with a negotiable starting wage, dependent on education and experience, with predicable scheduling, numerous holidays, generous vacation time and sick days.
Supporting Your Health: Low deductible Medical, Rx, Vision & Dental insurance at a minimal cost for employees, as well as professional courtesy within our clinics.
Supporting Your Future: Retirement Savings Plan, FSA, Life, AD&D, & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance.
Supporting Your Education: Continuing Education Assistance program. Employment with AHC may also qualify you for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Ready To Get Started?
Only applications through our Careers page at will be accepted.
Resumes and cover letters are accepted and welcomed in addition to your completed application.
Questions can be sent to
Fighting Against Discrimination:
Alcona Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Alcona Health Center is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Alcona Health Center are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Alcona Health Center will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Alcona Health Center encourages applicants of all ages.
Upon request auxiliary aids and services will be made available to individuals with disabilities. Michigan Relay Center "Voice and TTY/TDD" . An EOE.
