Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory Assistant

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

Open to the public. This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Laboratory Assistant positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

Deadline to apply. This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST)

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family, and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

The Department. Through assessment, policy development, and assurance, Public Health Services (PHS) provides a wide range of services aimed at reducing death and disability by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments.

The Program. The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is a vital part of the PHS area within HCA. The PHL provides essential laboratory support to several programs, including PHS Clinical Services, Environmental Health Services (EHS), Correctional Health Services (CHS), Communicable Disease Control (CDC), and local clinical laboratories. The laboratory plays a key role in protecting community health by performing testing that supports disease detection, environmental monitoring, and public health decision-making.

The Opportunity. The Laboratory Assistant is a paraprofessional position within the OC Public Health Laboratory. This position is responsible for receiving, processing, and logging all incoming clinical and environmental specimens into the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Laboratory Assistants provide essential support to certified Public Health Microbiologists and may independently prepare for or perform procedures that do not require certification. In addition, the Laboratory Assistant performs the following duties and responsibilities:

• Receives, prepares, and processes a wide range of clinical and environmental specimens for examination, including blood, stool, sputum, respiratory specimens, CSF, urine, water, and animal specimens
• Participates in assigned Quality Assurance activities, such as equipment maintenance and completion of logs
• Utilizes computers, laboratory information systems, and specialized software to record data
• Monitors and maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and reagents using inventory management tools
• Handles biohazardous waste and operates autoclaves for sterilization of laboratory waste
• Prepares and initiates purchasing requisitions using the County's procurement system
• Communicates with County programs, healthcare partners, and external laboratories to clarify specimen collection, transport and storage requirements

Desirable Qualifications and Core Competencies. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least six (6) months of experience working in a public health laboratory OR at least one (1) year of experience in any laboratory setting. In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology

• Understanding of laboratory related medical and scientific terminology
• Some experience in the use and care of basic laboratory test equipment
• Some experience using a laboratory information system (LIS)
• Performing basic mathematical and algebraic calculations
• Performing a variety of keyboarding duties including typing, data entry and retrieval of information
• Proficient use of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Safety Focus

• Following procedures and practices to maintain a safe work environment
• Maintaining an awareness of potential work hazards

Interpersonal Savvy | Writing and Oral Communication

• Interacting in a professional and courteous manner, in person, by telephone, and by email
• Work effectively and maintain relationships with various levels of an organization
• Ability to clearly and articulately convey information
• Writing effectively by using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Minimum Qualifications. Please click here for details on the Laboratory Assistant classification, including the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions.

Recruitment Process. Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer). Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Online Assessment (Un-proctored, Weighted 100%) Applicants who meet qualifications will be invited to participate in one or more job related assessments. Applicants will be notified of their test date and access code, if applicable. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List. Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Physical and Mental Requirements. Stamina to stand for up to two hours continuously at a workbench that is 37-38" high; ability to work while sitting for up to two or three hours continuously at a workbench that is 29-31" high; independent body mobility to sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, and use a step stool or short ladder; ability to exert sufficient force to lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; manual dexterity to move fingers, wrists, hands or arms in any direction, pick up and manipulate or apply pressure to small objects such as microscopes, bacterial media plates and controls on automated equipment; wear protective gloves, lab coat, and other protective equipment to perform work; fine manual dexterity to work with bacterial loops, test tubes, pipettes and other laboratory equipment, write legible labels, reports, or log entries by hand or using a keyboard; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably, using some technical terminology, in person and by telephone during operation of machinery; vision sufficient to read gauges, measuring instruments, fine or standard size text, and computer screen, and to discern small objects such as bacterial colonies; and color perception to discern colors, color changes and compare samples against standards, distinguish media, and see color ranges in media reactions. Ability to wear protective eye equipment or eye protection as required or needed. Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach valid conclusions and make sound recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests; possess the ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions.

Environmental and Working Conditions. Will be required to work in an area with noise, odors, moisture, frequent interruption of daily repetitive tasks, and frequent abrupt changes in work schedule or assignments. Will work with infectious agents at a biohazard level of Class I to III daily; human specimens such as blood, stool, sputum and tissue and chemicals, (some hazardous). Work in fume hoods that are 35-37" in height where there is exposure to dangerous hazardous fumes and vapors and biological safety cabinets 37" in height to perform specific procedures with microorganisms; sit at a bio-hazardous hood, that provides a very confined space for hands and arms, and perform microbiological procedures effectively; and work in semi confined areas and aisles that are 4 feet wide.

Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference. The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Additional Information

Reasonable Accommodation. The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable