REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT & STERILIZATION TECHNICIAN
Because Registered Dental Assistant & Sterilization Technician is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
To be eligible you bring 2 years of relevant experience and a professional license. The FY2026 range lands between $49,266 and $71,403, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to get hired
- Registered Dental Assistant & Sterilization Technician is non-competitive, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the education and experience stated in the specification.
- Apply directly to the hiring agency when a vacancy is posted. The agency verifies that you meet the minimum requirements.
- Because there is no eligible list, hiring timelines are set by the agency rather than by a statewide certification.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $68,427. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (3)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direct supervision of a Dentist in the Department of Health, assists in the clinical and administrative functions of a dental care program within a state hospital, institution, or agency; responsible for Ambulatory Sterile Processing in the dental clinic; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Assists dentist with examinations, evaluations and procedures. Sets up and confirms appointments for the dentist. Greets and seats patients, correctly adjusts the dental chair and dental light, and drapes the patient. Monitors the physical status of patients through vital signs and takes appropriate action when indicated. Takes, processes, and mounts Dental Radiographs. Provides prophylactic and preventative measures, such as the application of fluorides and pit fissure sealants, and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease or discomfort. Charts all pathology upon the dentist's dictation on the patient's chart. Sets up and arranges instruments and equipment for procedures to be done by the dentist; assists the dentist with procedures and prepares materials for their use. Provides chairside and waiting room dental care, provides postoperative instructions as prescribed by the dentist, dismisses patients, and works through post-operative dental care with patients and other personnel. Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes dental instruments and supplies following AAMI standards. Disinfects all dental equipment in operatory after each patient; keeps area neat and orderly. Performs dental laboratory procedures, including mixing materials, pouring cast models, polishes temporary inlays, crowns, and bridges; uses model trimmer; and performs all other subprofessional tasks in the dental laboratory. Answers telephone calls and takes and relays messages; schedules and coordinates any outside specialty appointments needed at another facility. Places orders, receives inventory, and properly stores supplies and equipment. Maintains essential patient and dental facility records, reports and files. Provides nutritional information related to oral health. Educates and assists other health care specialists and directs personnel in the training and accomplishment of oral health on each unit. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. STERILIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES: Under C.A.S.S.P.T. Certification: Cleans, decontaminates, inspects, assembles, preps and packages, and sterilizes all instruments and equipment according to manufacturer instructions for use. Acquires, maintains, and utilizes all manufacturer instructions for use as they pertain to each instrument/item. Adheres to all policies and procedures of the center. Accurately and efficiently documents all required components of the cleaning/sterilization cycles. Performs all aspects of reprocessing in a timely and efficient manner while adhering to all policies. Operates sterilization equipment (i.e. ultrasonic, autoclave, etc.). Performs required quality control through routine testing, cleaning, and monitoring to assure sterilization equipment and instruments function properly. Inspects all instruments/equipment and packaging for cleanliness, defects, and or malfunctions. Assists in storing all sterilized items. Transports instrumentation to and from sterile storage area when needed. Ensures proper preventative maintenance is performed at required intervals. Interacts with maintenance personnel when necessary to ensure service is provided in a timely fashion to reduce any downtime or impact on patient care. Verbalizes, understands, and utilizes appropriate PPE based on work location (i.e. clean, decontamination).
Experience
Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Dental Assistant.
License
Applicants must possess a valid Registered Dental Assistant License issued by the State of New Jersey Board of Dentistry. Applicants must possess a valid license as a Dental Radiological Technologist issued by the Radiological Technology Board, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. CERTIFICATE: Appointees will be required to obtain valid C.A.S.S.P.T. (Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician) Certification. Appointees will be required to obtain a valid Basic Life Support Certification.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the principles of dental care. Knowledge of dental processes and procedures. Knowledge of the concepts and application of oral pathology, bacteriology, pharmacology, dental anatomy, physiology and nutrition. Knowledge of dental terminology. Knowledge of digital and film processing dental radiographs. Knowledge of the functions of a dental assistant, including law, ethics and relationships with other health services. Knowledge of dental materials and equipment maintenance. Knowledge of basic information regarding local and general dental anesthesia. Ability to assist the Dentist by performing assigned technical, chairside, and administrative duties. Ability to recognize health emergencies and administer first aid. Ability to provide instructions to patients and others in a clear and understandable manner. Ability to work with special needs patients. Ability to maintain health facility records, reports, and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Failure to obtain the certifications identified above within one (1) year of hire date, shall be considered cause for separation.