Dental Assistant

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Smithfield Township (Bradford County); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections invites qualified applicants for the Dental Assistant position at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Huntingdon. This role provides clinical support, prepares workspaces, and helps manage patient records to ensure smooth dental operations.

Duties include chairside assistance, workspace prep, radiograph handling, impression work, record management, and patient communication.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a dental office or clinic.
• Successful completion of an accredited Dental Assisting certificate program.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Chairside support for procedures and chart findings; manage instruments and materials.
• Prepare and sterilize tools, mix solutions, and set up work areas for procedures.
• Expose, label, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality.
• Take impressions, pour models, trim casts, and assess their accuracy.
• File, retrieve, and maintain dental records and reports per policy.
• Provide clear preventative care and post-procedural instructions to patients.

Skills

Dental office experience

Dental assisting certificate

Equivalent training

Education

Dental Assisting certificate

Job description

Are you ready to bring your dental skills to a role where your work is essential as a Dental Assistant with the Department of Corrections? This opportunity allows you to provide clinical support, prepare workspaces, and help manage patient records. You will play a key part in ensuring smooth dental operations each day. Become part of the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Huntingdon and support quality care for every patient.

This position supports dental operations by assisting the dentist, preparing tools and materials, and managing radiographs, records, and patient documentation. It involves hands‑on clinical help, organization of work areas, and clear communication with patients. As a Dental Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Chairside Support: Assist the dentist with procedures, chart findings, and manage instruments and materials
• Workspace Preparation: Prepare and sterilize tools, mix solutions, and set up work areas for procedures
• Radiograph Handling: Expose, label, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality
• Impression Work: Take impressions, pour models, trim casts, and assess their accuracy
• Record Management: File, retrieve, and maintain dental records and reports in accordance with policy
• Patient Communication: Provide clear preventative care and post-procedural instructions to patients

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $36,831.00 (before taxes). A higher salary may be established in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience in a dental office or clinic; or
• Successful completion of an accredited Dental Assisting certificate program; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirement:

• You must have successfully completed the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of the training academy in Elizabethtown, PA.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.