About the Department

Become a Dental Assistant with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Phoenix and bring your passion for dental health to a place where your skills make a real difference. In this role, you help support patient well-being while growing your expertise through hands-on, meaningful work. You become part of a dedicated team that values precision, compassion, and quality care. Step forward into a career that lets you make a positive impact every day.

Position Duties

This position supports dental care services within SCI Phoenix by providing clinical assistance and essential administrative support. As a Dental Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

Chairside Support: Assist the Dentist during procedures by preparing tools, utilizing irrigation and drying procedures, and charting findings of the mouth
Radiograph Processing: Take, process, and evaluate x-rays for clarity and diagnostic quality
Procedure Preparation: Set up and break down workspaces, sterilize tools, and mix materials for dental procedures
Record Management: Maintain, file, and retrieve dental records and ensure documentation follows policy requirements
Appointment Coordination: Schedule patient visits and maintain call lists
Patient Guidance: Explain preventative care and post-procedural instructions to support patient understanding

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 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday.
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 $37,594.00 (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.

Minimum Qualifications

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 Requirements:

Successful completion of 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.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Have you successfully completed the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry?

If you answered YES to the above question, please provide your certification number and expiration date in the text box below. Upload a copy of the certificate using the Attachment tab. If you answered NO, please type N/A if the text box below.

How many years of full-time experience in a dental office or clinic do you possess?

1 year or more
6 months but less than 1 year
Less than 6 months
None

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

Have you successfully completed an accredited Dental Assisting certificate program?

If you are claiming certification, you must attach a copy of your certification for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. You must attach your certification prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add your certification to the application after it has been submitted.

How much college coursework have you completed in dental assistant/technician training, vocational or business school, secretarial training, or training in a medical or health services field?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

30 credits or more
Less than 30 credits
None

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address: 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website: http://www.employment.pa.gov