Certified Dental Assistant

Fidelity Partners • Lewisburg, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Dental Assistant will provide chair-side, radiographic, preventive, sterilization, and routine administrative support to staff dentists within the Health Services Unit at USP Lewisburg. The position supports dental services for a diverse adult population in a secure federal correctional environment and requires frequent direct contact with individuals in federal custody.

Requirements

• Must have graduated from an accredited dental-assisting school or program.
• Must maintain current CPR certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Must maintain a current Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Radiology Certification.
• Must have at least one year of work experience involving dental radiology training and radiation safety.
• Must have at least 18 months of work experience as a Dental Assistant or Dental Hygienist, including at least six months of current work experience in a clinical setting.
• Must possess additional education or training related to pharmacy issues.
• Must be able to read, understand, fluently speak, and legibly write English.
• Must satisfy all BOP background, institutional-security, suitability, and access requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish oral communication skills
• Prior correctional experience

Responsibilities

• Provide four-handed chair-side dental assistance in operative dentistry, prosthetics, endodontics, periodontics, radiology, preventive care, and oral surgery.
• Prepare treatment areas, anesthetics, instruments, sterile fields, drapes, restorative materials, and supplies for dental procedures.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and follow accepted infection-control practices and applicable federal, state, Joint Commission, and correctional healthcare standards.
• Take and develop intraoral and extraoral radiographs, including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic images, within authorized scope and certification.
• Assist with oral surgery by evacuating and irrigating the surgical field, retracting tissue, supporting rotary instrumentation, removing sutures, applying prescribed medicaments, and providing post-surgical instructions as directed.
• Support operative procedures by maintaining a dry field, retracting tissue, placing bases, liners, retainers, and matrices, and assisting with restorations as permitted.
• Select impression trays and materials; make preliminary impressions; pour study models; fabricate custom trays; and perform minor denture repairs as authorized.
• Support endodontic procedures by placing rubber dams, preparing sterile fields, removing temporary fillings, irrigating canals, and preparing instruments and medicaments.
• Provide oral-hygiene instruction and apply fluoride or desensitizing agents as directed and permitted.
• Document and chart intraoral findings accurately and protect patient records and institutional information.
• Perform routine clinic administration, including filing, typing, call-outs, scheduling, telephone support, stock records, vendor pricing requests, and supply-order documentation.
• Maintain professional conduct, comply with institutional security and confidentiality rules, and work effectively with individuals from varied cultural and personal backgrounds.
• Wear appropriate professional attire that does not match colors designated for the inmate population.
• Remain flexible for schedule changes and emergency coverage as required by the institution.

Benefits

• Paid Sick Leave: Accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually.
• Paid Time Off / Vacation: Two weeks (80 hours) after one year of service; three weeks after eight years; four weeks after 15 years.
• Paid Federal Holidays: Twelve paid holidays annually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree