Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 7/5/2024
• 8/2/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 12/6/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• LABORATORY ASSISTANT - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

2564

For LABORATORY ASSISTANT, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02564

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

Either I

Six months of experience in laboratory work similar to that described in Definition of Levels above.

Or II

Education: Equivalent to completion of the eighth grade.

Or III

Satisfactory completion of a formalized laboratory work experience and training program of at least three months' duration, such as those conducted under Manpower Development and Training Act, Work Incentive Program, or similar work experience programs conducted by State agencies.

Applicants must submit their exam application AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period. For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8, 2024 (which is after the July 5, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by July 19, 2024. Filing cut-off dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

Complete and submit the following items with your application. These will be scored and count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items will result in disqualification from the examination.

Laboratory Assistant Training & Experience Exam: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S2V5GLY

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; clean and care for laboratory equipment; learn elementary laboratory methods and procedures; follow directions; work efficiently and effectively in a group.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the LABORATORY ASSISTANT Classification will be established for:

• State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

1. Label items (e.g., specimens, standards, samples, etc.) accurately and completely.
2. Clean and sanitize work surfaces and equipment (e.g., countertops, sinks, specimen/standards storage/transport containers, etc.).
3. Select and utilize appropriate safety devices and appropriate personal protective equipment when handling biohazardous samples to minimize the spread of infection and contamination.
4. Clarify unclear orders prior to processing by contacting the appropriate personnel to get additional information.
5. Clean chemical and/or biological spill using disinfectant sprays, wipes, or absorbent carefully and as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection and/or contamination.
6. Process, prepare and store specimens/standards under appropriate conditions using standard laboratory equipment.
7. Specimen collection and preanalytical processing of laboratory samples (may include separation of serum/plasma/urine/stool).
8. Properly sort and separate contaminated items (e.g., sharps, containers, body fluids, biohazard bags, etc.) and soiled laundry into appropriate bins and hazardous waste disposal.
9. Clean and care for laboratory equipment.
10. Maintain laboratory logs for accurate tracking of specimens/standards and materials using computers or computer systems.
11. Make arrangements to properly store special handling items to ensure the longevity and stability of testing materials.
12. Collect samples from source to produce specimens/standards required for testing.
13. Maintain proper tool control in the work area or lab to ensure a safe and secure working environment using tool counts and inventory list.
14. Replenish and maintain supplies using inventory logs.
15. Provide recommendations to appropriate laboratory staff in order to resolve problems regarding issues with the laboratory.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of specimen/standards/sample preparation procedures for in-house and/or external laboratory analysis.
2. Knowledge of policies, procedures, and guidelines related to safety and infection control.
3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of laboratory work including the use and care of laboratory equipment.
4. Ability to follow directions to ensure duties are carried out in line with expectations.
5. Ability to accurately apply labels to specimens/standards/samples in the course of work.
6. Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a group.
7. Ability to read and write English at a level required for successful job performance.
8. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
9. Ability to speak and write effectively with staff and external parties.
10. Ability to prepare specimens/standards for analysis in a variety of ways (e.g., labeling, accessioning, centrifugation, separation of serum/plasma, documentation procedures, etc.).
11. Ability to clean and care for all laboratory areas and equipment to prevent the spread of infection and/or contamination.
12. Ability to utilize a computer to perform miscellaneous word processing and data entry and conduct informational searches.
13. Ability to maintain orderliness, tact, and reliability while on the job.
14. Ability to provide assistance to supervisors and staff as needed.
15. Ability to address problems or complaints regarding department and/or work unit policies, procedures, and/or services/products routinely in a calm, courteous, and tactful manner.

• Department of State Hospitals
• State of California

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.