Dental Assistant - SCI Albion

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Concord Township (PA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Dental Assistant for the State Correctional Institution Albion to support clinicians and maintain documentation for patient care. The role involves chairside assistance, radiograph processing, and meticulous recordkeeping in a secure, clinical setting.

Eligible candidates include those with a Dental Assisting certificate or one year of dental office experience. The position features a 37.5-hour workweek, no telework, and a starting salary of $36,831 with

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Chairside support during procedures with tools, charting findings, suction, irrigation, and retraction.
• Prepare treatment areas, arrange materials, sterilize equipment, and ready patients.
• Expose, process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic use.
• Take impressions and create study models for clinical and athletic appliances.
• File, retrieve, and maintain dental records per procedures.
• Schedule appointments and prepare laboratory forms, invoices, and referral documents.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Dental Assisting certificate

Tools

Radiograph processing

Job description

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.

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.

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).

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.