LABORATORY ASSISTANT / PHLEBOTOMIST

THE JOB: Under general supervision, perform venipuncture and specified tests to obtain specimens; receive specimens, review labeling; check condition of specimens and distribute; perform clerical work; and perform other duties as required. The list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and any future vacancies during the life of the list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

No Experience Required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License/Certificate: Possess and maintain a valid Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services; and a valid California Class C Driver License (at the time of appointment).

Special Working Conditions: Continuous exposure to: infectious agents which can cause chronic disease or death; allergens and irritants such as latex, talc, soaps, lotions and water which can cause reactions such as dermatitis; chemicals such as bleach, formaldehyde and mineral acids/ bases; and offensive odors such as urine, feces, and vomit.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of Phlebotomy techniques and equipment; universal precautions; sterilization requirements and techniques involved in the care and use of equipment. Some knowledge of fundamentals of medical laboratory work; laboratory equipment and terminology; dangers of harmful bacteria and communicable disease; basic office procedures and record keeping techniques.

Ability to: Obtain adequate blood samples from patients whose veins are difficult to locate, or from patients who may be hostile or unstable; discern when to request assistance in drawing blood; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; follow oral and written instructions; perform routine clerical work; keep accurate records; prepare standardized reports and forms; move quickly to support a fainting patient, or move away from a patient having a seizure; communicate with patients in noisy and quiet environments; perform venipuncture requiring manual dexterity, hand steadiness and balance; maintain awkward body positions, which may cause muscle fatigue; discern colors to determine order of draw, based on color-coded test tubes; learn and apply routine laboratory techniques; and learn to enter a variety of data into computer system.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 13 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training, and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months, and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. 

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600. 

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz