Provider will Call for Treatment Coordinator
Getting Called into the Suite
When you are called into the room to be the treatment coordinator, it should be established over the radio if they are calling a secondary or a primary treatment coordinator
- Working in the front can sometimes be chaotic, so if you are not quite sure what was called over the radio, do not be afraid to call over the mic “repeat that” or “which room number did you need the treatment coordinator”.
**Sealant only treatment plans have a different process
Introduction to the Patient
You’ll maybe feel out of place walking into the suites when you first start doing treatment plans, but the more time you spend in the suites, the more comfortable you will be.
- If the provider is in the patient’s mouth or actively speaking to them about clinical information, hang out by the entrance of the suite until you’re addressed to avoid interrupting the provider.
- If the provider is chit chatting with the patient or entering things into the computer, walk in and say hello, and then the prover will introduce you to the patient.
- Make sure when you’re being introduced to the patient you are in their line of vision and they can see you!
- Try to stand by the wall shelves so you’re next to the patient.
The provider will introduce you to the patient
- Ex: “Stephanie, this is Arianna, she is our treatment coordinator and she is going to listen in on our conversation so she can know the plan and put it together for you”.
The provider will introduce the patient and review their CVB and FORE.
- CVB: comfort, value, barrier
- FORE: family, occupation, recreation, and everything else
- Ex: “Arianna, Stephanie is a new patient with us today and her and her husband are new to the area and looking to get established with a new office. Stephanie prefers all the details, values longevity, and time is a barrier for her since she is busy with her teaching schedule”.
This information is typically very brief but is important to listen to because it will give you clues on how best to communicate with the patient and help speak to them on a level they will understand but value what you are saying.
Listen to the Provider Review the Recommended Treatment
When the provider is reviewing the treatment plan with you and the patient, it is important you understand what the treatment being recommended is, the order in which treatment should be complete, and also understand if there is a level of urgency for the needed treatment.
- You need to have a working knowledge of what different procedures are. The doctor should always ask the patient if they have any clinical questions before leaving the room; however, patients are still going to ask you questions and you need to be able to respond.
- The treatment should be phased to reflect what the provider told you and the patient the order of things should go in.
- All treatment is urgent and patients should not wait to get it done; however, there are specific cases where we need to get patients back into the office ASAP, sometimes with whoever the next available provider is.
Treatment Plan Questions
After the provider has reviewed the treatment plan verbally with you and the patient, the provider will then ask the patient if they have any clinical questions for them. The provider will then ask the treatment coordinator, if they have any questions.
- Take this time to look at the treatment plan and see that everything is phased the way it was just reviewed out loud and ask any questions you might have.
Once any questions about the treatment plan have been answered by the provider, let the patient know that you are going to take a look at their insurance and will be back shortly to review the treatment plan with them.
