Laboratory Technician II at County of Riverside in Riverside, California

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

Riverside University Health System (RUHS) seeks a Laboratory Technician II who will be assigned to their Public Health Laboratory.

The incumbent in this position will perform laboratory testing. The Laboratory Technician II will also be tasked with assisting with sample collection, organization, and testing environment/laboratory samples. Public Health Laboratory desires candidates who have public health laboratory and microbiology experience.
Under general direction, performs laboratory work involved in making repetitive biological tests or examinations; prepares complicated reagents and stains; performs other related duties as required.

The Laboratory Technician II is the journey-level classification in the Laboratory Technician series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager-level position. Incumbents perform the moderate and highly complex analysis of human and non-human samples that require extensive independent interpretation and judgment under the guidance of a Public Health Microbiologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

The Laboratory Technician II is distinguished from the Laboratory Technician I in that the former works independently at a higher level of proficiency.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Assist with laboratory testing following standard laboratory procedures.

• Perform highly complex analytical procedures on specimens or substances under the supervision of professional staff, which require close monitoring or control and may require special specimen preparations, precise temperature controls or timing of procedural steps; prepare clear, complete and concise reports.

• Perform standardized bacteriologic tests on water, milk and other specified samples submitted by authorized sources to determine the presence, level and/or category of coliform and fecal coliform contamination.

• Collect blood and urine samples from patients and process these specimens including entry/receipt of specimens in a laboratory information system, centrifugation and distribution/sending to reference laboratories.

• Assist Public Health Microbiologists in researching and implementing new diagnostic and surveillance assay methods and performing microbiological, immunological, virological, mycobateriological, mycological, food and water testing, which includes the preparation of various reagents and specimens for testing and analysis; determine pH and sterility factors.

• Assist Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the performance of testing in hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, and other areas as assigned.

• Perform all laboratory tasks, functions and procedures safely, as described in safety procedures, manuals and other provided documents.

• Check, calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment to established performance standards using independent judgment and decision-making that requires specialized knowledge; validate the accuracy of instruments and equipment.

• Inspect, prepare, and dispense reagents, and solutions that require special handling or may include manual steps to prepare such as gravimetric or volumetric measurements according to appropriate laboratory protocols and/or manufacturer's instructions.

• Assist in the preparation of specimens for examination, including processing of raw specimens, and the preparation of staining of slide according to laboratory protocols.

• When applicable, draw blood from patients in the laboratory or on the wards to obtain samples for testing; may release blood from banks; may release bodies from hospital morgue.

• Answer questions in person or by phone from physicians, nursing personnel and others regarding procedures, scheduling and results of tests.

• Retrieve confidential information from the laboratory's computer system.

• Prepare, label, package, and ship specimens, laboratory supplies, and/or reagents according to applicable regulatory requirements.

• Maintain supplies, including ordering, receiving, stocking, temperature-appropriate storage, and distributing.

• Serve as a staff resource for training and support functions; assist management in facility maintenance functions, including but not limited to, reporting any requests to repair and maintain laboratory equipment regularly and following up with maintenance staff with issues and requests.

• Maintain quality assurance systems and assist with the maintenance of laboratory information systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPTION IExperience: One year as a Laboratory Technician I in Riverside County.

OPTION IIEducation: Equivalent to an associate's degree that included 18 semester or 27 quarter units in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience in a public health or medical laboratory setting may substitute for the required education based on one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units.)

Experience: Two years of laboratory-related experience.

ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of: Aseptic laboratory technique; different types of biological and chemical reagents and reactions as well as media preparation and use; basic math sufficient to maintain supply inventory; safety and quality standards related to the handling and testing of specimens.

Ability to: Accurately inventory laboratory supplies and equipment; perform standardized environmental test on environmental samples; prepare laboratory reagents and solutions; assemble, calibrate and adjust laboratory apparatus for chemical and biochemical analysis; wash, clean and sterilize laboratory supplies and equipment; operate contemporary laboratory and office equipment; communicate clearly both verbally and in writing; read, understand and follow written and oral instructions; read and interpret test orders, instructions, equipment directions, laboratory methods, and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Other Requirements

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

County of Riverside Human Resources Contact:

For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Jammie Smith, via email at jasmith@rivco.org.

________________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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