Career Opportunity

Laboratory Technician II (2416) - DPH - 139184

Recruitment: RTF0139183-01154737

Published: September 22, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.  

✔️START Here-Required Questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/YkDAhmTrMS

• Application Opening – Wednesday, September 13, 2023  
• Application Deadline – On or after Wednesday, September 20, 2023 
  • Final closing deadline of Friday, September 22, 2023
• Salary: $73,398 - $89,336 annually 
• Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service 
• Recruitment ID:  PBT-2416-139184 

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A.  The eligible list resulting from this examination may be used to fill future vacancies in this class. 

Role description

Under supervision, assists laboratory analysts in processing samples, performing laboratory examinations and quality control. Responsibilities include: assisting microbiologists in the execution and analyses of laboratory based tests; assisting with analytical and data-reporting operations; managing and processing human clinical specimens; maintaining and registering patient/laboratory information into an electronic information management system or database program; performing quality control protocols on general lab equipment; recognizing and reporting errors or discrepancies in the course of performing quality control operations and assisting in the rectification of the noted problems; and may provide technical training to new Laboratory Technician I staff. Work area may be somewhat disagreeable and may include exposure to unpleasant odors, heat, blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C or other health hazards and performs related duties as required. 

Under general supervision, the Laboratory Technician II performs the following duties: 

1. Unpacks and centrifuges specimens; separates plasma or serum from blood cells; and distributes into different tests and storage vessels. 
2. Prepares and processes sputum, blood and other specimens for laboratory analysis and microbiological examinations; prepares media and reagents for bacteriological laboratory tests; prepares proper stains for microscopic analysis; process patient specimens for laboratory analysis. 
3. Reads, records and evaluates the temperatures and water levels of incubators and refrigerators to ensure proper temperature and water ranges are maintained. 
4. Conducts quality control and assurance of patient specimens for laboratory analysis and on performance of devices, laboratory equipment, supplies and machinery; records all quality control data for reporting and quality assurance. 
5. Enters patient data and specimen information into computer system to prepare computerized worksheets and reports. 
6. Acts as liaison between biomedical engineering personnel and laboratory technicians to ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment. 
7. Monitors and performs maintenance of laboratory equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, rotators and incubators. 
8. Assists, coordinates, and provides laboratory support for research projects. 
9. May provide on-going technical guidance, instruction, and training to newly rotated laboratory personnel in the proper performance of routine procedures. 
10. Perform related duties as assigned. 

Location:  101 Grove Street in San Francisco 

Shift:  Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm, some Saturdays may be required 

How to qualify

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination)

AND 

Experience: Requires one (1) year of experience, within the last five (5) years, working in a laboratory setting, assisting with the preparation of cultures, media, reagents and specimens for microbiological exams and laboratory analysis, dispensing of bacteriological cultures or other similarly related laboratory work experience equivalent to the duties performed by class 2402 Laboratory Technician I in the City and County of San Francisco. 

• Experience Substitution: 
  • Successful completion of fifteen (15) semester or twenty-two and one-half (22.5) quarter units, from an accredited college or university, which must have included one (1) college laboratory course in Chemistry or a Biological Science can substitute for six (6) months of the required experience; OR 
  • Successful completion of thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units, from an accredited college or university, which must have included two (2) college laboratory courses in Chemistry or a Biological Science, can substitute for the required one (1) year of experience. 

One-year fulltime employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine fulltime employment. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. 

Important Note: Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Failure to provide the required verification when requested may result in the rejection of the application and/or appointment in this class. Please be aware that any misrepresentation of this information may disqualify you from this recruitment or future job opportunities.  

Selection Procedures: 

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following. 

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): Candidates will be required to complete an MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications. 

Written Examination (Weight: 100%): Applicants deemed eligible will be invited to take an in-person written multiple-choice examination designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job related areas which may include but is not limited to the following: 

• Knowledge of: names, uses and care of standard laboratory equipment and supplies; laboratory methods and techniques, including the preparation of common media, reagents and other solutions; laboratory safety protocols; sterilization techniques; methods and procedures for handling and shipping hazardous materials; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) regulations and standards for protection of privacy and personal health information; medical and microbiological terminology; word processing, spreadsheet, and database computer software programs. 
• Skill and Ability to: communicate effectively orally and in writing; properly handle and dispose of chemicals and infectious materials; perform duties according to detailed instructions and established procedures; operate and work efficiently with and maintain laboratory equipment; prepare culture media, reagents, laboratory supplies; maintain records and reports; perform data entry; organize work and work-lists; provide technical training to new laboratory personnel. 

A passing score must be achieved on the written multiple-choice examination in order to continue in the selection process. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their written examination score. This is a standardized examination, and therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review. 

Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions. 

What else should I know?

Certification: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of Three (3) Scores. 

Eligible List/Score Report: Once you pass the exam, you will be placed on an eligible list and given a score and a rank. For more information, visit https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/  

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be twelve (12) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. 

To find Departments that use this classification, please click here.  

How to apply: 

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.  

Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this link. Applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. 

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment therefore, it is their responsibility to contact the Analyst if they update their email address.  

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:  This is a Position Based Test (PBT) administered in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A. 

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.  

DPH Health Critical Requirements and Information: Please review the following policies regarding DPH employment requirements that safeguard yourself and others.  

• COVID-19 Policies  
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 
• Medical Examination Prior to Hiring 
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) 
• Licensure/Certification/Registration 
• Note on ICARE  

Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:  

• Information about the Hiring Process  
• Conviction History  
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity  
• Disaster Service Workers 
• Reasonable Accommodation 
• Right to Work 
• Copies of Application Documents 
• Diversity Statement 
• Veterans Preference   
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams 

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Hanz Pagao at hanz.pagao@sfdph.org or 628-271-6839. 

We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging. 

All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.