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 is seeking a Dental Assistant to support dental services at SCI Huntingdon. You will assist with procedures, prepare equipment, and help maintain records in a secure, efficient environment.

The role requires one year of dental office experience or an accredited certificate, with RHS exam completion. Work hours are 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, Monday–Friday, at SCI Huntingdon in Huntingdon, PA.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Chairside Assistance: Support dental procedures by preparing tools, charting findings, and providing suction, irrigation, and retraction
• Workspace Preparation: Set up materials, sterilize tools, position chairs, and prepare patients for treatment
• Radiograph Processing: Expose, develop, mount, and evaluate dental radiographs for diagnostic quality
• Impression Work: Take impressions, create diagnostic casts, and evaluate the quality of completed models
• Record Maintenance: File, retrieve, and organize dental records to comply with policies and procedures
• Patient Guidance: Explain preventive care and post-procedure instructions to patients

Skills

One year dental office experience

Ability to perform essential job tasks

Background check compliance

Education

Accredited 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-2026-62271

Department

Department of Corrections

Division

CR HUN Med

Opening Date

11/09/2026

Closing Date

11/23/2026 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 looking for a role where your skills support important dental care in a unique clinical setting? As a Dental Assistant with the Department of Corrections (DOC), you will play an important part in delivering quality care to inmates at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Huntingdon. This position allows you to assist with procedures, prepare equipment, and support the dental team. If you enjoy learning, teamwork, and steady clinical responsibilities, apply today to expand your clinical skills with us!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports dental services at SCI Huntingdon by assisting with clinical procedures, patient care, and record maintenance. The role helps ensure that dental operations remain secure, organized, and efficient. As a Dental Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Chairside Assistance: Support dental procedures by preparing tools, charting findings, and providing suction, irrigation, and retraction
• Workspace Preparation: Set up materials, sterilize tools, position chairs, and prepare patients for treatment
• Radiograph Processing: Expose, develop, mount, and evaluate dental radiographs for diagnostic quality
• Impression Work: Take impressions, create diagnostic casts, and evaluate the quality of completed models
• Record Maintenance: File, retrieve, and organize dental records to comply with policies and procedures
• Patient Guidance: Explain preventive care and post-procedure 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). However, 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 programme; 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 basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• 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.