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):

• SENIOR CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

2739

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

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02739

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
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  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
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  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.

Possession of a clinical laboratory technologist's license or a similar license of equal or higher level issued by the State Department of Health Services.

And One year of experience in comprehensive clinical laboratory work which has involved making pathological analyses.

Applicants must submit their exam applications 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 August 2, 2024.

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.

Senior Clinical Laboratory Technologist: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CB3MHWC

Click the above link to take the exam after you have submitted your application. Exam responses must be received with the corresponding cut-off date as your application.

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:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of clinical laboratory work and the use and care of laboratory equipment; preparing, mounting, and staining specimens, reading tests and recognizing the normal and the abnormal, setting up laboratory apparatus, and making quick and accurate serological, bacteriological, and biochemical tests and analyses, including Wassermann and Widal tests; current literature in the clinical laboratory field.

Skill in: Preparing, mounting, and staining specimens, reading tests and recognizing the normal and the abnormal, setting up laboratory apparatus, and making quick and accurate serological, bacteriological, and biochemical tests and analyses, including Wassermann and Widal tests.

Ability to: Follow directions.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SENIOR CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST 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. Perform phlebotomy and a variety of laboratory testing procedures including medium to highly complex tests in all sections of the Laboratory according to facility policies and procedures.
2. Accurately perform venipuncture procedures for obtaining blood specimens using appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., lab gowns, gloves, goggles) and safety devices.
3. Perform laboratory testing procedures based on physicians’ orders in all areas of the laboratory, including clinical chemistry, urinalysis, coagulation, and serology according to facility policies and procedures
4. Accurately analyze various types of specimens for various constituents, qualitatively and quantitatively, using appropriate methodologies and in a timely manner.
5. Prepare specimens (i.e., labeling, centrifugation, separation of serum/plasma, documentation) for in-house analysis and/or for transport to external reference laboratories as necessary.
6. Actively supervise the work of clinical laboratory technologists during the completion of various lab related tasks and ensure facility policies and procedures are being followed.
7. Ensure quality control procedures for equipment, reagents, supplies, procedure manuals, and test results are in compliance with current regulating agency standards and are being properly followed by laboratory staff.
8. Review and update all relevant policies and procedure manuals as necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable licensing and accreditation requirements governing the facility and communicate pertinent information to laboratory staff as appropriate.
9. Perform routine preventative maintenance and corrective action on laboratory equipment as required and maintain proper documentation according to facility policies and procedures.
10. Accurately operate automated, semi-automated and non-automated laboratory equipment as outlined in the procedure manuals to ensure efficient unit operations.
11. Provide guidance, necessary training, and technical supervision to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Laboratory Assistants as directed by Supervising Clinical Laboratory Technologist.
12. Participate in the ongoing process of in-service training and education of all laboratory personnel regarding relevant issues, using laboratory procedures and manuals.
13. Participate in the planning, evaluation, and development of in-service training for clinical laboratory technologists in accordance with facility needs and professional standards of care.
14. Assist in new employee orientation training for new laboratory staff and in the completion of appropriate documentation according to facility and departmental policies and procedures.
15. Perform quality control and proficiency tests and charts, tabulates, and maintains records as outlined in the department procedures including monthly reporting of quality control results to the quality assurance program.
16. Sets up, clean, and care for laboratory equipment and apparatus according to facility policies and procedures and manufacturer guidelines.
17. Sterilize glassware, tubes, and instruments utilizing appropriate solutions to maintain the safety and sanitation of instruments used in the laboratory.
18. Use the Laboratory Information System (LIS) for ordering tests, entering results, printing reports, worksheets and data logs and the Physician Ordering System (POS) for scheduling blood draws and test ordering.
19. Perform inventory control of supplies and calibration of pipettes according to facility policies and procedures.
20. Coordinate the tracking and ordering of reagents and supplies used in the laboratory and ensure that they are properly labeled and stored to ensure efficient unit operations.

Instructions:

Rate your knowledge and experience applying specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of principles and practices of clinical laboratory work and the use and care of laboratory equipment.
2. Knowledge of preparing, mounting, and staining specimens, reading tests and recognizing the normal and the abnormal, setting up laboratory apparatus, and making quick and accurate serological, bacteriological, and biochemical tests and analyses.
3. Knowledge of current literature in the clinical laboratory field to maintain awareness and proficiency when completing assignments.
4. Knowledge of correct methods for controlling the spread of pathogens appropriate to assignment and maintain the safety of the facility.
5. Knowledge of growth and development of adult (18-54), and geriatric (55+) populations to accommodate their needs for independence and growth.
6. Knowledge of methodologies and standard protocol for keeping sensitive data confidential and secure including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
7. Knowledge of Safety Data Sheets and their physical location in the laboratory to enable quick reference of information as needed.
8. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the proper spelling of words, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in order to review and prepare written materials (e.g., manuals, reports, assessments etc.).
9. Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures in cases of fire, bomb threat, riot and civil disaster to support the safety of the facility.
10. Skill in preparing, mounting, and staining specimens, reading tests to proper recognize normal and abnormal test results.
11. Skill in setting up laboratory apparatus, and making quick and accurate serological, bacteriological, and biochemical tests and analyses.
12. Ability to prepare specimens for analysis in a variety of ways (e.g., labeling, accessioning, centrifugation, separation of serum/plasma, documentation procedures).
13. Ability to recognize faulty equipment and perform troubleshooting and repairs of equipment as necessary.
14. Ability to demonstrate proper care of fragile skin after phlebotomy procedures in elderly patients.
15. Ability to appropriately respond to the adult patient's need for independent and growth and development by explaining the phlebotomy procedures and expectations and allowing patients to participate in decisions as appropriate (e.g., choosing which arm to draw blood from).
16. Ability to set up laboratory apparatus, making quick and accurate serological, bacteriologic/biochemical tests and analyses.
17. Ability to properly and safely use various tools and equipment (e.g., syringe, microscope, centrifuge, tourniquet etc.) in the completion of tasks and assignments.
18. Ability to maintain a clean work environment in order to prevent the spread of infection, contamination, and pathogens.
19. Ability to use computer software (e.g., Physicians’ Ordering System, Laboratory Information System) to efficiently complete work assignments.
20. Ability to maintain detailed records of work-related activities such as project status reports for departmentally mandated record-keeping purposes.

• 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.