Has anyone ever had the experience of working as a front desk receptionist and filling in as a hygienist/ assistant as needed?
What are the benefits or disadvantages? I am a hygienist recently graduated and I am waiting on my license to come in. I have about 3 weeks left.
It’s always great to be cross-trained for other positions in the office. It allows you to jump in anywhere and be a team player. However, it gets tricky pay-wise, if you are at the front desk then jump in as an assistant or hygienist. Would you log what times you were a receptionist or assistant and what times you were a hygienist so the doctor can pay you accordingly? I have found doctors don’t want to be bothered with this so you can actually suffer regarding pay. I temped for two weeks at an office once that I went from reception to hygiene as needed and the doctor significantly underpaid me for hygiene (by almost $20 per hour). That’s just my experience, hopefully you will have a better outcome!
This is what I do. I do about 25 hours a week hygiene and 15 front office. The office I work at pays me hygiene salary, even when I’m up front. I love my schedule! Being up front part time allows my body to rest for a couple of hours each day.