Dental Assistant - SCI Albion

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Albion (Erie County); On-site; USD 37,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Dental Assistant for the State Correctional Institution Albion. You will support chairside procedures, prepare treatment spaces, process radiographs, and manage patient records in a fast-paced clinical setting.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week), 7:30 AM–3:30 PM, with no telework. Starting salary is $36,831 per year, with potential for higher under the relevant bargaining agreement. Apply by 10/11/2026.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Chairside support for dentists during procedures using suction, irrigation, and retraction techniques.
• Prepare treatment areas, sterilize equipment, and ready patients for procedures.
• Radiograph processing: expose, process, mount, and evaluate radiographs.
• Take impressions and create study models and diagnostic casts.
• Maintain and file dental records per procedures.
• Schedule appointments and manage related documents.

Skills

Dental office experience

Education

Dental Assisting certificate

Equivalent experience

Job description

Salary

$36,831.00 - $54,162.00 Annually

Location

Erie County, PA

Job Type

Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number

N-2026-60206

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR ALB Med

Opening Date

10/07/2026

Closing Date

10/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

33910

Position Number

00032851

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

N1

Pay Group

ST03

Bureau / Division Code

00111230

Bureau / Division

State Correctional Institution at Albion

Worksite Address

10745 Route 18

City

Albion, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16475

Contact Name

Maria Traficante

Contact Phone

717.705.9033

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced clinical setting where you can make a real difference as a Dental Assistant with the Department of Corrections? In this position, you help prepare treatment spaces, support dental procedures, and handle important records that guide patient care at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Albion. Your steady presence helps ensure a safe and organized environment. Join a team that values your skill, focus, and commitment to reliable care.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role provides essential dental assistance that supports daily clinical operations and high-quality patient care within SCI Albion. It ensures that dental procedures, recordkeeping, and patient support activities are carried out safely and efficiently. As a Dental Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Chairside Support: Assist the Dentist during procedures by preparing tools, charting findings, and using suction, irrigation, and retraction techniques
• Clinic Preparation: Prepare treatment areas, arrange materials, sterilize equipment, and ready patients for procedures
• Radiograph Processing: Expose, process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic use
• Impression Work: Take impressions and create study models and diagnostic casts for clinical and athletic appliances
• Record Management: File, retrieve, and maintain dental records in line with applicable procedures
• Scheduling and Documentation: Schedule appointments, maintain call lists, and prepare laboratory forms, invoices, and referral documents

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 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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

This position requires successful completion of the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.

• Currently, since December 12, 2009, the Board's approved examination is the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Examination administered by The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Prior to adopting the DANB RHS examination, the Board's radiologic procedures examination was administered by Experior Assessments/Thompson Prometric/Prometric.

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).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.