STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Laboratory Assistant 3 (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240319-5238HN-001

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Introduction

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Laboratory Assistant 3 to support our agency.  This position will provide dedicated support to all of the scientific sections of the State Public Health Laboratory.  The various responsibilities include the pre-analytical and post-analytical procedures required for laboratory testing. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent initiative, independent judgement, troubleshooting skills, the ability to train others, and will have experience with safe laboratory practice and quality control requirements. The Laboratory Assistant 3 will perform work demonstrating the highest level of technical expertise in the paraprofessional laboratory series and will provide excellent customer service skills and the flexibility to adjust to the changing demands of laboratory service.                                                              

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Location: State Public Health Laboratory 
  • Address: 395 West Street in Rocky Hill, CT
  • Work Hours: Full time | 35-hour work week 
  • Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Please note: this position is open to current DPH employees only.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU
As a current State of Connecticut employee, you will participate in the same competitive comprehensive benefits plan that you're accustom to:
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D
  • Generous paid time off, include 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
  • A healthy work/life balance!
      We are a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
      OUR MISSION

      The Mission of DPH is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring:

      • The conditions in which people can be healthy;
      • Preventing disease, injury, and disability; and
      • Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

      DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

      MORE ABOUT THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB

      The State Public Health Laboratory provides support for many forms of testing affecting the health and safety of the residents of Connecticut. 

      The diversity of testing includes: 

      • Antibiotic susceptibility;
      • Bio and chemical threat agents;
      • Emerging pathogenic organisms;
      • Environmental water for lead, chemicals and bacteria;
      • Foodborne outbreaks;
      • Newborn Screening;
      • Rabies;
      • Radon;
      • Sexually transmitted diseases;
      • Tuberculosis and viruses including COVID-19, MPOX and Influenza.
      START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

      Selection Plan

      FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

      Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

      In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, of the agency listed above, for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

      Please Note:
      In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.

      Please Note:
      For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

      To Apply:
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
      • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
      • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
      • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
      • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
      Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
      • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
      • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
      • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
      • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
      Connect With Us:
      • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
      • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Pamela Rochette via email at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.

      PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

      In a state health, academic or diagnostic laboratory this class is accountable for performing a range of technical laboratory work with emphasis on special techniques and more complex technical examinations involving independent calculations, more advanced laboratory equipment and analytical judgements.

      In an academic institution laboratory complex this class is accountable for preparing and maintaining student laboratories.

      EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

      STATE HEALTH, ACADEMIC OR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY:

      • Prepares specimens/samples, culture media, solutions and reagents of varying complexity but with emphasis on use of more specialized techniques and calibrated measuring devices, analytical balances and independent calculations; 
      • Performs more complex technical examinations; 
      • Assists in collection and identification of specimens for special laboratory studies; 
      • Performs minor maintenance on laboratory equipment; 
      • Maintains inventory of all testing materials prepared; 
      • Keeps records of laboratory findings and prepares reports; 
      • May lead lower level laboratory employees in preparatory techniques and performance of technical examinations; 
      • Performs related duties as required.
      ACADEMIC INSTITUTION LABORATORY COMPLEX: 

      • Prepares materials and equipment needed to carry out student laboratory assignments and maintain large student laboratories, e.g., media, solutions, reagents and stains of varying types and complexities, preserved materials and animal specimens, instructional media, etc.; 
      • Ensures cleanliness and proper set up of laboratory equipment, materials and facilities; 
      • Requisitions needed supplies and maintains inventory; 
      • Assembles and breaks down laboratory exercises and course materials; 
      • Oversees and assists student workers and other lower level laboratory employees; 
      • Prepares reports; 
      • Performs related duties as required.

      KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

      • Knowledge of specialized laboratory techniques and procedures; 
      • Ability to
        • make independent analytical judgements and carry out independent calculations; 
        • prepare reports and keep technical records.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

      Four (4) years of experience in laboratory work.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

      Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a related laboratory setting at the level of Laboratory Assistant 2 or above.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

      College training in the biological or physical sciences may be substituted for the General or Special Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • Experience with the quality control measures required for the following areas of Scientific Support Services: glass wash, sterilization and media preparation to include complex media.
      • Experience with the quality control measures required for the following areas of Scientific Support Services: specimen receipt, report processing and specimen collection kits.
      • Experience with verbal and written communication skills focusing on positive customer service interaction when relating to internal and external customers.
      • Experience monitoring, recording and interpreting data for various types of laboratory equipment in accordance with quality control procedures and troubleshooting practices.
      • Experience training other Laboratory Assistants in the responsibilities required for Scientific Support Services.

      PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

      Incumbents in this class must be willing to undergo periodic tests or immunizations for communicable diseases as necessary.

      WORKING CONDITIONS

      Incumbents in this class may occasionally be required to lift standard laboratory equipment; may be exposed to some risk of injury from such elements as toxic vapors and toxic and/or disease-carrying substances; may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions.

      Conclusion

      AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

      The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

      As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.




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