Dental Assistant (Per Diem)

Introduction

Our Mission: The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.


The Connecticut Department of Correction is recruiting for a Dental Assistant (Per Diem) . The current vacancy is located at York Correctional Institution in East Lyme, CT. This recruitment may be used to fill additional future vacancies at correctional facilities across the state as openings occur.


In this role, you may be required to travel to other DOC facilities depending on operational needs.



POSITION DETAILS
This is a Per Diem position on first shift. Schedule will be on weekdays between 7:00am and 3:00pm. The primary assignment will be at York CI in East Lyme but travel to other facilities may be required.


As a Dental Assistant with us, you will have the opportunity to:

• Assist with procedures involving restorative, prosthodontic, periodontic, endodontic and oral surgery;
• Prepare dental restorative and prosthetic materials;
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations on infection control;
• Record medical histories.

Please note: this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies throughout State correctional facilities as openings occur at the following facilities/locations:

• Bridgeport Correctional Institution - Bridgeport, CT
• Brooklyn Correctional Institution - Brooklyn, CT
• Cheshire Correctional Institution - Cheshire, CT
• Corrigan Correctional Center - Montville, CT
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT
• Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT
• MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution - South Suffield, CT
• Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT
• New Haven Correctional Center - New Haven, CT
• Osborn Correctional Institution - Somers, CT
• Robinson Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• Willard Cybulski Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT
• York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT

ABOUT US
The York Correctional Institution is a high-security facility. It serves as the state's only institution for female offenders. It serves all superior courts in Connecticut and manages all pretrial and sentenced female offenders, whatever their security level. In 2008 the institution was named the Facility of the Year by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for its excellence in health service delivery. The accompanying accreditation has been renewed as of June of 2011.


The programming units at the facility have an extensive array of positive interventions for the population, including the 80-bed intensive, inpatient drug treatment unit, the Marilyn Baker House.

For an inside look at how healthcare employees can Make an ImpaCT in a correctional setting, watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.


BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Salary Calculations : For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates - such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links - please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board as select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note : This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:


Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)


In a state dental clinic this class is accountable for performing instrument exchange in all areas of dentistry and assisting dentists in other clinic functions.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs instrument exchange procedures for operative dentistry (including general dentistry, pedodontics, prosthetics, orthodontics, periodontics and oral surgery);
• Prepares dental restorative and prosthetic materials;
• Assists in oral surgery as required;
• Ensures compliance with OSHA regulations on infection control;
• Prepares, develops and mounts radiographs;
• Records medical histories;
• Prepares and performs daily maintenance of major equipment;
• Maintains equipment and supply inventories;
• Schedules appointments;
• Prepares a variety of requests for individual diagnostic testing;
• Processes billing and/or insurance information;
• Illustrates proper preventive dental hygiene to individuals;
• Assures completeness and accuracy of dental medical records;
• Prepares reports and correspondence;
• May send out reminder cards;
• May participate in dental health information program;
• May assist in taking radiographs;
• May pour molds when necessary;
• May act as triage and/or receptionist for incoming individual telephone calls;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of dental assisting operative procedures;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE


One (1) year of experience in dental assistant work.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED


Completion of a Dental Assisting Program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association may be substituted for the General Experience.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a correctional, forensic, or other secure/locked institutional environment, with an understanding of associated safety and security protocols;
• Demonstrated ability to accurately track and manage dental instruments, including sharps counts, in compliance with facility procedures;
• Experience providing dental support across multiple clinic sites or departments;
• Willingness and flexibility to travel between facilities and float as assigned;
• Familiarity with inventory control and chain of custody procedures within secure healthcare settings.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Candidates must have successfully completed the Infection Control Examination (ICE) administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
• Candidates must have successfully completed the Dental Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

WORKING CONDITIONS


Incumbents in this class may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions, communicable and/or infectious diseases and some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive individuals.


Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.