Job Description

Laboratory Assistant

 

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

 

Premium Pay and Additional Benefits

In addition to the hourly salary, eligible applicants may receive premium pay along with additional benefits for the items listed below:

• Education Reimbursement:  Eligible employees are qualified for up to $10,000 per fiscal year of pre-approved educational reimbursement ( page 71). The reimbursement program may also be used for related licensure or certifications, subject to approval.

This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Laboratory Assistant positions within the Health Care Agency. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

This recruitment is  open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close at 11:59 PM (PST) on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 .  Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately!  

HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange, is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family, and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

 

THE DEPARTMENT
Public Health Services provides a wide range of services aimed at improving the health of our community by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing, and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments through assessment, policy development and assurance.
 
THE PROGRAM
The   Public Health Laboratory   is a core component of the Public Health program within HCA that provides laboratory services to the County clinics, County jails, Communicable Disease Control Division, Pulmonary Disease Services, Environmental Health, clinical laboratories and hospitals.

 
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Laboratory Assistant is the paraprofessional position in the OC Public Health Laboratory. This position receives and logs into the Lab Information System all clinical and environmental specimens that are received (over 290,000 annually). Laboratory Assistants may support certified Public Health Microbiologists in testing or may independently prepare for or perform procedures that do not require certification.

In addition, the Laboratory Assistant performs the following duties and responsibilities:

• Receiving, preparing, and processing specimens for examination including blood, stool, sputum, respiratory specimens, CSF, urine, water, and animal specimens
• Retrieving specimens from onsite clinics
• Participating in Quality Assurance activities as assigned, such as equipment maintenance and keeping logs
• Utilizing computer, laboratory information systems and other specialized programs to record data
• Monitoring inventory, including laboratory supplies and reagents, using inventory management software
• Handling biohazardous waste and operating autoclaves for sterilization of laboratory waste
• Preparing and initiating requisitions in the County Purchasing system
• Communicating with County programs and outside hospital or laboratory personnel as needed on specimen collection, transport and storage requirements

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will have some experience, education and/or training in the desired qualifications listed below:

 

• Six (6) months to one (1) year of experience handling specimens as a Laboratory Assistant in a public health laboratory within the last five (5) years 
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience handling specimens as a Laboratory Assistant in a clinical/medical laboratory within the last five (5) years and a high school diploma, relevant classes or an associate's degree in Biological Sciences or a related field
• Six (6) months to one (1) year of experience handling specimens as a Laboratory Assistant in a clinical/medical laboratory within the last five (5) years and a bachelor's degree in Biological Microbiological Sciences or a related field, or successful completion of a Laboratory Assistant vocational program

In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

 

  Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology 

• Understanding of laboratory related medical and scientific terminology
• Some experience in the use and care of basic laboratory test equipment
• Some experience using a lab information system (LIS)
• Performing basic mathematical and algebraic calculations
• Performing a variety of keyboarding duties including typing, data entry and retrieval of information
• Proficient use of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Safety Focus

• Following procedures and practices to maintain a safe work environment
• Maintaining an awareness of potential work hazards

Interpersonal Savvy | Writing and Oral Communication

• Interacting in a professional and courteous manner, in person, by telephone, and by email
• Work effectively and maintain relationships with various levels of an organization 
• Ability to clearly and articulately convey information 
• Writing effectively by using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here   to learn more about the Minimum Qualifications for the Laboratory Assistant  classification as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions.

 
Physical and Mental Requirements
Stamina to stand for up to two hours continuously at a workbench that is 37-38" high; ability to work while sitting for up to two or three hours continuously at a workbench that is 29-31" high; independent body mobility to sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, and use a step stool or short ladder; ability to exert sufficient force to lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; manual dexterity to move fingers, wrists, hands or arms in any direction, pick up and manipulate or apply pressure to small objects such as microscopes, bacterial media plates and controls on automated equipment; wear protective gloves, lab coat, and other protective equipment to perform work; fine manual dexterity to work with bacterial loops, test tubes, pipettes and other laboratory equipment, write legible labels, reports, or log entries by hand or using a keyboard; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably, using some technical terminology, in person and by telephone during operation of machinery; vision sufficient to read gauges, measuring instruments, fine or standard size text, and computer screen, and to discern small objects such as bacterial colonies; and color perception to discern colors, color changes and compare samples against standards, distinguish media, and see color ranges in media reactions. Ability to wear protective eye equipment or eye protection as required or needed.

 
Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach valid conclusions and make sound recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests; possess the ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions.

 
Environmental and Working Conditions
Will be required to work in an area with noise, odors, moisture, frequent interruption of daily repetitive tasks, and frequent abrupt changes in work schedule or assignments. Will work with infectious agents at a biohazard level of Class I to III daily; human specimens such as blood, stool, sputum and tissue and chemicals, (some hazardous). Work in fume hoods that are 35-37" in height where there is exposure to dangerous hazardous fumes and vapors and biological safety cabinets 37" in height to perform specific procedures with microorganisms; sit at a bio-hazardous hood, that provides a very confined space for hands and arms, and perform microbiological procedures effectively; and work in semi confined areas and aisles that are 4 feet wide.

 
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

 
Application Appraisal Panel | Application Rating (Weighted 100%)
An Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above. Only the more qualified candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

 
Please note:  The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.

 
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All applicants will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

 
Eligible List
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

 
Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy. Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19-related requirements. 
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here   to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

 

  NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

 
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at   .

 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click   here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

 
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Janeth Boudreaux at (714) 834-2217 or jboudreaux@ochca.com .

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Immediate start,

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