Laboratory Assistant 3 (35 Hour) (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\nDo you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!��\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), State Public Health Laboratory is excited to announce an internal promotional opportunity for a Laboratory Assistant 3.\r\n�� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �\r\n\r\nHighlights:\r\n\r\n\r\n LOCATION: Rocky Hill, CT�\r\n SCHEDULE: Full-Time, First Shift, 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat We Can Offer You:�\r\n\r\n\r\n As a State of Connecticut employee, we offer the same competitive benefits which you are accustomed (Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page)\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.�\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 You Will Discover The Opportunity To:\r\n \r\n \r\n Engage in a rewarding career;\r\n Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;\r\n Thrive in an exciting environment;\r\n Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;\r\n Work together in a collaborative team environment.\r\n \r\n The Role:\r\n \r\n \r\n The State Public Health Laboratory\r\n provides support for many forms of testing affecting the health and safety of\r\n the residents of Connecticut. The diversity of testing includes: antibiotic\r\n susceptibility, bio and chemical threat agents; emerging pathogenic organisms;\r\n environmental water for lead, chemicals and bacteria; foodborne outbreaks;\r\n Newborn Screening; rabies; radon; sexually transmitted diseases; tuberculosis\r\n and viruses including COVID-19, MPOX and Influenza.\r\n \r\n The Laboratory Assistant 3 will provide dedicated\r\n support to all of the scientific sections of the State Public Health\r\n Laboratory. The various responsibilities include the pre-analytical and\r\n post-analytical procedures required for laboratory testing. Experience with\r\n safe laboratory practice and quality control requirements is essential. The\r\n ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent initiative, independent judgement,\r\n troubleshooting skills and the ability to train others. The Laboratory\r\n Assistant 3 will perform work demonstrating the highest level of technical\r\n expertise in the paraprofessional laboratory series. The Laboratory Assistant 3\r\n will provide excellent customer service skills and the flexibility to adjust to\r\n the changing demands of laboratory service.\r\n \r\n \r\n About Us:�\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 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.�\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 \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n

Selection Plan

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.�\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\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�Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.��\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

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.\r\n\r\nIn an academic institution laboratory complex this class is accountable for preparing and maintaining student laboratories.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

STATE HEALTH, ACADEMIC OR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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;�\r\n Performs more complex technical examinations;�\r\n Assists in collection and identification of specimens for special laboratory studies;�\r\n Performs minor maintenance on laboratory equipment;�\r\n Maintains inventory of all testing materials prepared;�\r\n Keeps records of laboratory findings and prepares reports;�\r\n May lead lower-level laboratory employees in preparatory techniques and performance of technical examinations;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nACADEMIC INSTITUTION LABORATORY COMPLEX:�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.;�\r\n Ensures cleanliness and proper set up of laboratory equipment, materials and facilities;�\r\n Requisitions needed supplies and maintains inventory;�\r\n Assembles and breaks down laboratory exercises and course materials;�\r\n Oversees and assists student workers and other lower-level laboratory employees;�\r\n Prepares reports;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience in laboratory work.\r\n

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.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n\r\n Experience and understanding of the\r\n quality control measures required for the following areas of Scientific Support\r\n Services: glass wash, sterilization and media preparation to include complex\r\n media.\r\n Experience and understanding of the quality\r\n control measures required for the following areas of Scientific Support\r\n Services: specimen receipt, specimen collection supplies, courier logistics and\r\n report processing.\r\n Experience utilizing CORE CT for requisition and\r\n receipt management of laboratory supplies and equipment.\r\n Experience monitoring, recording and interpreting\r\n data for various types of laboratory equipment in accordance with quality\r\n control procedures and troubleshooting practices.\r\n Experience training other Laboratory Assistants\r\n in the responsibilities required for Scientific Support Services to include:\r\n specimen receipt/accessioning and media preparation/sterilization.\r\n Experience training other Laboratory Assistants in\r\n the responsibilities required for Scientific Support Services to include:\r\n Outfit Room logistics and Central Stores responsibilities.\r\n Experience with proper verbal and written\r\n communication skills focusing on positive customer service interaction when\r\n relating to internal and external customers.\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\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