Connecticut Careers Trainee (Health Care Professional) (Target Class: Health Program Assistant 1)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is now accepting applications for a Connecticut Careers Trainee (Health Care Professional) position with a target class of Health Program Assistant 1 within the Newborn Screening (NBS) Program!�\r\n\r\n\r\nThis is an exciting entry-level opportunity to support one of the nation's most comprehensive newborn screening systems - helping ensure that every infant born or residing in Connecticut receives timely, accurate screening for more than sixty-five conditions that can lead to serious health complications if not identified early.�\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you are passionate about public health, early detection, and improving outcomes for Connecticut families, we encourage you to apply!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS:\r\n\r\n\r\n Location: Katherine A. Kelley Public Health Laboratory\r\n Address: 395 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT\r\n Hours: Full-time (35 Hours per week),�First Shift\r\n Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM\r\n Following a training and probationary period, there may be an opportunity for limited telework and a flexible/alternate schedule in accordance with State of Connecticut Policies\r\n This role is considered essential - employees must report on-site during scheduled business hours and, if necessary, during inclement weather\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Explore our State Employee Benefits Overview page!�\r\n Opportunities for professional growth and career development\r\n A healthy work/life balance�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ABOUT US:\r\n The Connecticut Newborn Screening (NBS) Program began in 1964 with screening for a single disorder (PKU) and has grown to include over 66 conditions that can cause serious illness or disability if not detected early. Through timely tracking, follow-up, and communication, the NBS Program and its Follow‑Up and Tracking Unit ensure that approximately 37,000 infants born in Connecticut each year receive accurate results and appropriate next steps. We are committed to providing equitable, high‑quality newborn screening and follow‑up services, and welcome applicants who value accuracy, public health service, and meaningful work with families and providers across the state.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n THE ROLE:\r\n \r\n This Connecticut Careers Trainee (Health Care Professional) will undergo a structured development program leading to the target classification of Health Program Assistant 1. In this role, you will help support the critical tracking, reporting, and communication functions of the NBS Program.\r\n \r\n \r\n Key responsibilities include:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Following established NBS protocols and reporting out-of-range results to providers and hospitals\r\n Initiating sample requests for repeat screenings or notifying the Newborn Diagnostic and Treatment Network (the Network) of positive results\r\n Documenting case interactions with providers, the Network, and parents in the Newborn Screening Follow Up/Tracking (NBST) database\r\n Collecting and entering demographic and specimen information in Maven and Horizon\r\n Creating newborn cases for out-of-hospital births and confirming provider information\r\n Assisting with reporting and distributing NBS hemoglobin trait letters\r\n Assisting with screening and directing incoming phone calls and emails\r\n Assisting with monitoring NBS program mailboxes and responding to routine inquiries\r\n Supporting development and maintenance of digital training modules via the CT-Train platform\r\n Running daily quality improvement reports and assisting with specimen tracking and follow-up\r\n Supporting grant-related activities and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) configuration tasks\r\n \r\n This position offers meaningful, impactful work as part of a program that directly improves health outcomes for newborns and families across Connecticut.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n APPOINTMENT:\r\n \r\n The length of the development program is determined by the experience and training requirements of the designated class and the prior experience of the incumbent. At the completion of the development program incumbents must meet the experience and training requirements of the designated class. The program cannot be less than one (1) year and cannot exceed three (3) calendar years in accordance with C.G.S. 5-234.\r\n \r\n \r\n Incumbents in this class will be eligible for reclassification to the designated class without competitive examination upon successful completion of the development program and satisfactory service.\r\n \r\n \r\n All appointments to this class shall be under terms of a development program and in accordance with a time schedule approved by the Commissioner of Administrative Services. All development programs must be approved by the Department of Administrative Services prior to appointment to this class.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n SALARY NOTE\r\n First Year of Training:\r\n \r\n \r\n Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: $47,708 (HC15 - Step 1)\r\n Masters degree: $49,427 (HC15 - Step 2)\r\n \r\n Second Year of Training:\r\n \r\n \r\n General rate: $54,588 (HC15 - Step 5)\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The salary for an employee who completes any of the above minimum requirements after initial appointment to the Connecticut Careers Trainee job class will be adjusted commensurate with the schedule above and effective the pay period following the date the master’s degree has been conferred or the pay period following the date the appropriate number of credits as indicated above have been earned.\r\n \r\n \r\n For current state employees, compensation will be in accordance with guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class manual.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by:\r\n \r\n \r\n Assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy\r\n Preventing disease, injury, and disability\r\n Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.\r\n \r\n \r\n DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\n\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.\r\n For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.�\r\n\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions;\r\n Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n\r\n Oral and written communication skills;\r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;\r\n understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;\r\n read, interpret and understand written material;\r\n perform basic arithmetical computations;\r\n interpret charts, graphs and tables;\r\n learn and reason;\r\n establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;\r\n utilize computer software.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n Experience or training using Microsoft Office Suite and digital platforms such as documentation systems, electronic databases, website development tools, digital learning platforms, laboratory information management systems, or other electronic record systems.\r\n Experience working in a team based environment in an academic, internship, or work setting, including the ability to follow written and verbal instructions from professors, supervisors, or senior staff.\r\n Experience or academic preparation communicating effectively with hospital staff, health care providers, or other professionals, with strong attention to detail and problem solving skills.\r\n Experience or academic training in newborn screening, public health, or maternal and child health.\r\n Experience or academic preparation related to disease processes and medical terminology.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n