ALICIA C. HOULE
Belcourt
Summary
Detailed-oriented professional with 6+ years of experience and efficiency with a proven knowledge of customer service, scheduling, planning, assisting and organizational skills. Aiming to leverage my skills to successfully fill the Dental/Surgical Assistant role at your organization.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Medical Records Technician (Coder) — GS-0679-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
Belcourt, ND
12.2022 - 12.2023
- Accurately assigned ICD 10 and CPT codes to patient medical records.
- Reviewed patient charts and identified discrepancies in the medical documentation.
- Interpreted medical terminology in order to translate it into the coding software.
- Coded from hospital records, physician notes and ancillary records. Assigned modifiers and sequence codes appropriately to accurate reflect services provided.
- Responded to complex coding inquiries.
- Accurately follows coding guidelines and legal requirements to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory bodies.
- Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
- Assures the final diagnoses and operative procedures as stated by the physician are valid and complete.
- Evaluates the record for documentation consistency and adequacy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
- Effectively use 3m Coding and Reimbursement System
- Navigate through EHR and RPMS to effectively code visits correctly and efficiently.
- Managed patient health information retrieval and organization for efficient access and compliance.
Medical Support Assistant — GS-0679-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
Belcourt, ND
04.2021 - 12.2022
- Conducted pre-authorizations and referrals to meet third-party insurer requirements.
- Prioritized patient needs identified through phone, electronic, and walk-in communication to comply with established guidelines.
- Delivered administrative support to physician practices aiding in quality healthcare services.
- Maintained established quality control standards, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure compliance in response time to all internal/external correspondence—relaying calls/messages to appropriate leadership: Chief Dental Officer, Supervisory Dental Assistant, Clinical Director, Deputy CEO and/or CEO as determined necessary.
- Address patient/customer complaints on-the-spot.
- Assist employees with obtaining government ID badges as needed.
- Prioritize work and functions on a daily basis.
- Answer phone calls/emails/voicemails—deliver messages to staff members and superiors as necessary.
- Assists with orientation of dental staff consisting of line of authority, time and attendance, leave, training, etc.
- Assures clerical and administrative functions are completed in a timely manner including but not limited to personnel actions, vouchers, orders and insurances.
- Maintain patient records and updates medical data/information per medical data manually and electronically.
- Performs timekeeping functions and submits timekeeping records. Follows established guidelines for timekeeping.
- Maintain Confidentiality and HIPAA regulations when working with confidential patient/customer information.
- Ensure staff complete mandatory training requirements and provide status report.
- Assist with travel and training requirements as needed.
- Responsible for scanning patient records while adhering to HIPAA Regulations.
- Investigates dental peer reviews.
- Documented medical data in patient charts, facilitating accurate records.
- Worked interdependently with other professionals to provide quality health care to patients.
- Complied with personal protective equipment requirements to protect against exposure to infectious body fluids and other hazardous substances.
- Transmitted correspondence and medical records by mail, e-mail and fax.
- Scheduled appointments, submission of medical dental referrals, assisted with insurance forms and maintained records, manually and utilizing computer.
- Designed dental excel spreadsheet categories for dental referrals for outside agencies and communicate with referred care businesses.
- Defined problems, collected data, established facts, verified insurance coverage and validated conclusions for referrals process.
- Schedule patient/customer appointments based on their dental needs.
- Respond to patient/customer questions, needs, complaints in a timely manner.
- Provide guidance pertaining to personnel actions, SF52s, OF8s.
- Verify all patient insurances, collect documentation on patient’s basic health information for dental review.
- Track inventory and orders office supplies.
- Set up moonwalk to mirror Dentrix scheduling program.
- Set up and mail all appointment reminder letters.
- Scan maintain records of all IDs, health insurance cards and Tribal IDs.
- Collects assignment of benefits, release of information and consent of minor children forms for billing purposes.
- Create documents and forms for the Dental Clinic via word and PDF.
- Update Policy and Procedures yearly for the Dental Department while working closely with the Dental Chief Officer.
- Present referrals to Clinical Director for Contract Health Meetings.
- Sole Dentrix administrator for all Dental Department employees.
- Knowledge of dental and medical terminology.
- Code dental codes in RPMS for billing purposes of Dental Clinic
Dental Assistant-Expanded Function — GS0681-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
Belcourt, ND
06.2016 - 04.2021
- Assisted in patient care by preparing treatment rooms and sterilizing instruments
- Instructed patients on oral hygiene and post-treatment care for improved recovery
- Collaborated with dental team to enhance workflow efficiency and patient satisfaction
- Trained new staff on procedures, safety protocols, and equipment usage
- Conducted inventory management of dental supplies to ensure optimal stock levels
- Developed educational materials for patients to promote preventive dental care practices
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
- Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
- Performed x-rays safely while adhering to radiation safety guidelines, ensuring high-quality diagnostic images for dentists'' evaluations.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
- Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and treatment outcomes.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make temporary crowns, bridges, partials, ,dentures and other dental prosthetics.
- Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
- Supported dentists during oral surgeries by preparing surgical rooms with necessary tools and sterilized instruments.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.
- Increased patient retention by building rapport through excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor.
- Contributed to office organization by maintaining accurate patient records and updating files regularly.
- Collaborated with the dental team to develop customized treatment plans for individual patients.
- Assisted in emergency/OR dental procedures, providing critical support in high-pressure situations.
- Enhanced patient comfort by carefully explaining procedures and addressing concerns prior to treatments.
- Improved dental procedure outcomes with accurate preparation of filling and crown materials.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, casts and impressions.
- Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
- Scheduled appointments, prepared, submitted and set up patient referrals for dental services.
Education
Associates of Applied Science -
Turtle Mountain Community College
Belcourt, ND05.2015
Associates of Arts - undefined
Turtle Mountain Community College
Belcourt, ND05.2012
Associates of Science - undefined
Turtle Mountain Community College
Belcourt, ND05.2012
Skills
- Patient Relations
- Charting Expertise
- Team Collaboration
- Workflow Processes
- Accurate Recordkeeping
- Standards Compliance
- Office Meetings
- HIPAA Compliance
- Referral Verification
- Interdisciplinary Care
- Regulatory Requirements
- Employee Timesheet Processing
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
- Dentrix Software System
- Data Confidentiality
- Correspondence and Office Documents
- Inventory Management Skills
- 10 Key Data Entry Skilled
- Time Management
- Medical terminology
- Data entry and management
- Speed typing
- Analytical skills
- Decision making
- CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes
Certification
- Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certification
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Program (CPI) Certification
- IHS Certified Basic Restorative
- Fire Extinguisher
- Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse by Health Care Providers
- The No Fear Act
- Workplace Harassment Prevention for Employees
- EEO and Preventing Discrimination in the Federal Workplace
- Reasonable Accommodation for the Federal Workplace
- HHS Records Management
- HHS Annual Ethics
Timeline
Medical Records Technician (Coder) — GS-0679-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
12.2022 - 12.2023
Medical Support Assistant — GS-0679-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
04.2021 - 12.2022
Dental Assistant-Expanded Function — GS0681-06
Quentin N. Burdick Healthcare Facility—Indian Health Service
06.2016 - 04.2021
Associates of Arts - undefined
Turtle Mountain Community College
Associates of Science - undefined
Turtle Mountain Community College
Associates of Applied Science -
Turtle Mountain Community College