Student & Patient Support Assistant

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Student & Patient Support Assistant

Research Project

Department/Unit Dental Clinic

Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number S358-26

Employee Group NSGEU Local 77

Position Type Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable) 2 years

Employment Type Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

Salary $27.60-$34.94 per hour ($50,232 - $63,584 per annum based on 35 hours per week)

Classification C5

Provisional Statement

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Faculty of Dentistry promotes and provides oral health care as an integral component of overall health for regional, national and international communities through quality education, research and service. Reporting to the Manager, Patient Services, the Student & Patient Support Assistant will work as front-line staff for the Dalhousie Dental School and provide administrative and customer service support to the various undergraduate and graduate clinics including ten specialty clinics in the faculty.

Key Responsibilities

• Review patient charts and referral information, consult with faculty and schedule appointments; respond to patient emergencies.
• Communicate with the Manager, Patient Services and staff to ensure dentists, students, and facilities are supported and scheduled appropriately for patient appointments.
• Determine patient type/category and analyze treatments for further submissions for insurance or alternate coverages. Assist and provide feedback for any questions from students about various patient communications issues and management.
• Ensure student assignments and faculty and staff coverage are organized. Schedule monthly planning meetings for group practices; attend meetings and provide information regarding patient progress and treatment issues as necessary.
• Review patient accounts for billing purposes, enter treatments, and review account status as well as reconcile daily receivables & receipts. Process insurance submissions and payments.
• Triage in-person and phone calls to determine if the patient is experiencing a dental emergency based on the dental faculty criteria.
  
  

Note

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

Required Qualifications

• Dental Office Management program or a Dental Assisting Program with five years’ work experience in an administrative capacity in a dental office (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Proficient data entry skills, and Microsoft office software skills.
• Knowledge of dental terminology.
• Experience in the use of a dental office management program such as Abledent or Dentrix etc.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
  
  

Assets

• Current CPR & First Aid Certification.
  
  

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core competencies, in particular:

• Self-Awareness & Professionalism
• Integrity
• Respect & Inclusion
• Adaptability
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills
  
  

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees ( NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here .

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Open Date 10/27/2026

Close Date 11/05/2026

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/22408