• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 11, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part-time employees are subject to the same conditions as full-time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time-base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full-time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period. 

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, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

3560

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.

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.

Positions performing phlebotomy duties must possess a valid California State license/certification as a phlebotomist issued by the California Department of Public Health or equivalent license/certification which meets the legal requirements to practice phlebotomy in California. (Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be admitted to the examination, but must obtain the required license/certification prior to appointment.)

Either I

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

Or II

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Or III

Satisfactory completion of a formalized laboratory work experience and training program of at least three months.

Special Personal Characteristics: Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; emotional stability; patience; alertness; keenness of observation; aptitude and liking for laboratory work; orderliness; tact; reliability; color vision adequate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Special Physical Characteristics: Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of incarcerated individuals.

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of incarcerated individuals and/or the protection of personal and real property.

All employees shall have general qualifications as described in California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

State Civil Service Out of Class Experience:  A completion of an “out-of-class (OOC) assignment memorandum”, dated within one year of assignment completion, is required to use OOC experience to meet the minimum qualifications for examination purposes. Employees may obtain this documentation from their Classification and Pay Analyst or institutional Personnel Liaison.  OOC experience without the required documentation cannot be considered for examination purposes.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

Across our organization, our programs work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR and CCHCS mission. 

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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

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:

1. Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance;
2. Clean and care for laboratory equipment;
3. Learn elementary laboratory methods and procedures;
4. Keep accurate records;
5. Follow directions;
6. Work efficiently and effectively in a group.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the LABORATORY ASSISTANT, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Classification will be established for:

• California Correctional Health Care Services

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.

It is important that you read the instructions and definitions carefully. This is not a timed process. In the following section, using the rating scales below, you will be asked to rate your knowledge performing specific job-related tasks.  You will be asked your knowledge related to performing the action, and then, your level of skill in performing the action. Respond to the statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option for both of the two scales provided in order to receive credit for your response. You may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

1. Check for errors to ensure accuracy of information.
2. Clean/sanitize equipment (e.g., countertops, sinks, refrigerator storage containers) to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
3. Collect and sort materials in the correct containers.
4. Communicate with others verbally or in writing to answer inquiries or direct to the appropriate person.
5. Compare original order requests to collected materials and confirm information matches.
6. Ensure items are properly labeled for reference.
7. Forward information to the appropriate person.
8. Keep an inventory log of items on a list to ensure availability when needed.
9. Maintain control over equipment and materials to ensure security.
10. Maintain logs to keep accurate records.
11. Monitor the progress of pending information to ensure information is received timely and accurately.
12. Operate equipment (e.g., refrigerators, freezer, machines, showers, etc.) safely and accurately.
13. Order supplies to ensure availability.
14. Participate in classroom/training sessions to meet requirements.
15. Pick up and/or deliver materials and supplies.
16. Report any unsafe or unsanitary equipment to the correct person to ensure they are fixed or cleaned properly.
17. Review log reports in a computerized system to ensure the information is correctly and accurately tracked.
18. Store collected materials correctly according to temperature (e.g., refrigerated, frozen).
19. Take written messages from phone calls and summarize the information in a clear and concise manner to deliver to the correct person.

• California Correctional Health Care Services

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.

California Correctional Health Care Services 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.