Dental Assistant - SCI Huntingdon

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Smithfield Township (Bradford County); On-site; USD 37,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Dental Assistant for the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon. The role provides clinical support, workspace preparation, and patient records management to ensure smooth dental operations daily.

Responsibilities include chairside assistance, radiograph handling, impression making, and maintaining dental records. Must complete RHS exam, training academy, and pass background checks; veterans' preference may apply.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Must have completed the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.
• Completion of the training academy in Elizabethtown, PA.
• Able to perform essential job functions.
• Must pass a background investigation and meet CJIS requirements.
• Veterans' employment preference as provided by PA law; see sources for details.

Responsibilities

• 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 accuracy.
• Record management: file, retrieve, and maintain dental records and reports.
• Patient communication: provide clear preventative care and post-procedural instructions.

Education

Dental Assisting certificate

Job description

Salary

$36,831.00 - $54,162.00 Annually

Location

Huntingdon County, PA

Job Type

Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number

N-2026-57549

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR HUN Med

Opening Date

09/02/2026

Closing Date

9/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

33910

Position Number

00228002

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

N1

Pay Group

ST03

Bureau / Division Code

00114230

Bureau / Division

State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon

Worksite Address

1100 Pike Street

City

Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16654

Contact Name

Yen Le

Contact Phone

717.705.5614

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

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.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

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.

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:

• 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.