Laboratory Services Director

Laboratory Services Director

Ardent Health is a leading provider of healthcare in growing mid-sized urban communities across the U.S. With a focus on people and investments in innovative services and technologies, Ardent is passionate about making healthcare better and easier to access. Through its subsidiaries, Ardent delivers care through a system of 30 acute care hospitals, 24,000+ team members and more than 280 sites of care with over 1,800 affiliated providers across six states.

Position Summary:

The Laboratory Services Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for the organization's laboratory service line. This role is responsible for driving quality, operational excellence, financial performance, growth, and standardization across laboratory services. The Director partners with facility leaders, pathologists, physicians, operations, finance, and supply chain teams to optimize laboratory operations, manage supplier relationships, and ensure regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the strategy, performance, and growth of laboratory services across the health system.
• Partners with laboratory leaders, pathologists, physicians, and hospital leadership to achieve quality, operational, and financial objectives.
• Drives laboratory standardization, utilization management, process improvement, and technology adoption.
• Develops long-term plans for operations, capital investments, workforce needs, and service expansion.
• Leads laboratory sourcing, contracting, vendor management, and equipment standardization initiatives.
• Collaborates with Supply Chain and Finance to identify cost savings and value optimization opportunities.
• Oversees laboratory capital planning, equipment lifecycle management, and supplier performance.
• Utilizes data and analytics to improve operational efficiency, quality outcomes, and financial results.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and quality standards.
• Promotes continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of laboratory best practices across the organization.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Allied Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive laboratory leadership experience in an acute care health system or integrated delivery network.
• Experience leading multi-site laboratory operations and enterprise initiatives.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, regulatory requirements, financial management, and performance improvement methodologies.
• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence training.
• Experience with strategic sourcing, contract management, and vendor negotiations.
• Master's degree