Dental Assistant - SCI Somerset

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Somerset Township (PA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections, is seeking a Dental Assistant for SCI Somerset to support dental care operations. You will assist during procedures, prepare materials, and maintain accurate records to ensure safe, organized workflows in a correctional health setting.

The position is full-time (37.5 hours/week) with hours 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and no telework option.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a dental office or clinic.
• Accredited Dental Assisting certificate program.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Must have completed Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.

Responsibilities

• Chairside support during procedures by preparing tools, charting findings, and using suction, irrigation and drying methods.
• Procedure preparation including work areas, tool sterilization, material mixing, and patient positioning.

Skills

Dental assisting

Record keeping

Patient care

Team collaboration

Education

Dental assisting certificate program

Tools

Radiography equipment

Job description

Join the team at the Department of Corrections as a Dental Assistant for SCI Somerset. This role allows you to support dental care in a setting where your work truly matters. You will help create a smooth and safe environment for dental procedures. Bring your skills to a mission-driven team that values quality and dedication.

This position supports dental care by assisting with procedures, preparing materials, and maintaining accurate records. The work helps ensure that dental operations stay organized, safe, and efficient. As a Dental Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Chairside Support:Assist a Dentist during procedures by preparing tools, charting findings, and using suction, irrigation, and drying methods
• Procedure Preparation:Prepare work areas, sterilize tools, mix materials, and position patients for treatment
• Radiograph Work:Expose, process, mount, and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic use
• Impression Tasks:Take dental impressions and create, trim, and assess study models and diagnostic casts
• Record Management:Schedule appointments, maintain call lists, and manage dental records in accordance with policy
• Documentation Handling:Prepare laboratory forms, invoices, referrals, and prescription paperwork

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 hour work week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 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 (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.

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.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.