Career Opportunity

Laboratory Technician I - Access to City Employment (ACE) (2402)

Recruitment: REF3136I

Published: March 03, 2022

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About:

The Access to City Employment Program (ACE) seeks to hire qualified individuals with a disability into permanent entry-level jobs outside the normal civil service selection process. To be hired through the ACE Program, individuals must meet the minimum qualifications of the job and provide a Certification of Disability from the California Department of Rehabilitation or a Veterans Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Role description

Definition: Under immediate supervision performs a variety of routine non-professional laboratory duties such as cleaning and preparing glassware and equipment, preparing simple solutions and assisting in setting up test equipment, and performs related duties as required. Requires normal responsibility for following established methods and procedures; preventing moderate losses through the efficient handling and safeguarding of equipment, materials and supplies; making regular personal contacts with individuals other than coworkers; and keeping routine records. 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.

Distinguishing Features: The Laboratory Technician I is the entry level in the Laboratory Technician series. This class performs simple, routine, non-professional laboratory tasks under direct supervision.  This class is distinguished from 2416 Laboratory Technician II in that the latter works under general supervision, performing more complex and difficult laboratory assistance.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties: According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list. 1. Washes laboratory glassware and supplies using detergents, rinsing acid solutions and distilled water; dries equipment and stores in proper place according to type volume and intended use.  2. Assists with cleaning operations by supplying necessary chemicals, test tubes, bottles and supplies; sterilizing all specimens, glassware, laboratory equipment, supplies, needles, syringes, and instruments; and cleaning all sinks, laboratory benches and cabinets where infectious agents may be present. 3. Collects infectious waste at each laboratory bench and biosafety cabinet; sterilizes infectious waste in an autoclave. 5. Cleans and decontaminates the laboratory as directed or as necessary; maintains an orderly and clean environment; pipettes small amount of reagents into test tubes for specific purposes; makes up percentage reagents for the laboratory according to established procedures and purposes. 6. Prepares glassware for microbiological examinations. 7. Assists in preparing and dispensing bacteriological culture media for sterilization. 8. Unpacks, organizes, verifies and date stamps incoming supplies and packages; records and labels items; transports, stores, and distributes packages and/or supplies or specimens to the laboratory according to established procedures; maintains laboratory inventory by monitoring, ordering, and storing supplies. 9. Operates and routinely maintains laboratory equipment; performs mandated routine checks of biosafety equipment such as eyewashes and safety showers. 10. Ensures proper use of safety gear and personal protective equipment. 11. Writes and maintains simple records of tests and work performed; enters data of patient information prior to testing; enters data on electronic bar code of specimen that enters the laboratory for testing, billing and tracking; generates and maintains digital and hardcopy records of all tests performed in the laboratory; prepares simple laboratory reports. 12. Assists in research projects; maintain logs and notebooks regarding research specimens; aliquot specimens involved in research projects. 13. Performs related duties as assigned/required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of: Special care and handling of laboratory glassware; Methods and procedures used in thorough cleaning and sterilizing of laboratory equipment; Laboratory techniques and methods, including preparation of simple media, reagents and other solutions; Laboratory safety protocols; sterilization techniques; Laboratory supplies maintenance procedures; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) regulations and standards for protection of privacy and personal health information; Basic 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; Basic arithmetic; Perform data entry; Prepare and maintain simple records and reports.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications: These minimum qualifications are to be used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Experience and Training: High school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination). Requires six (6) months of experience, within the last five (5) years, working in a laboratory setting, cleaning and sterilizing lab equipment, packing, unpacking and labeling supplies or specimens, preparing glassware for microbiological exams, and  maintaining records of laboratory testing or patient information or other similarly related laboratory work experience. 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 the required six (6) months of experience.

What else should I know?

Notes: From: Entrance Examination To: 2416 Laboratory Technician II AMENDED:  3/1/2012

Conviction History: As a selected candidate for a job, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you are a selected candidate. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances, such as: Candidates for positions with the Unified School District and the Community College District may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under the California Education Code. Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City. If you are a selected candidate, the hiring department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Disaster Service Workers: All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

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.