All officers and employees of the California Health Facilities Commission who, on December 31, 1985, are serving the state civil service, other than as temporary employees, and engaged in the performance of a function vested in the department by this chapter shall be transferred to the department. The status, positions, and rights of persons shall not be affected by the transfer and shall be retained by them as officers and employees of the department, pursuant to the State Civil Service Act except as to positions exempted from civil service.