Director of Laboratory Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $75,000 – $100,000 Base + Relocation Assistance + Comprehensive Benefits

Position Overview

The Director of Laboratory Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the clinical laboratory across multiple disciplines and facilities. This role is responsible for laboratory operations, quality management, regulatory compliance, financial performance, personnel leadership, and continuous process improvement.

The Director partners closely with executive leadership, pathologists, physicians, and hospital departments to ensure the delivery of high-quality, timely, and compliant laboratory services while supporting organizational goals for patient care, operational excellence, and growth.

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for laboratory services.
• Develop, mentor, and retain laboratory leadership and professional staff across multiple clinical disciplines.
• Direct departmental planning, goal setting, and long-range strategic initiatives.
• Serve as acting Laboratory Director during the Director's absence.
• Foster collaboration between laboratory staff, physicians, pathologists, nursing, and other hospital departments.
• Ensure laboratory services consistently meet customer expectations for quality, accuracy, and turnaround times.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead laboratory quality assurance and continuous performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory compliance programs consistent with:
  • CLIA
  • CAP (where applicable)
  • FDA
  • State and Federal regulations
  • Other accreditation standards
• Maintain regulatory documentation, records, policies, and required statistics.
• Monitor laboratory performance indicators and develop action plans to improve quality and operational efficiency.
• Support system-wide compliance initiatives and laboratory billing accuracy in collaboration with the System Compliance Officer.
• Participate in hospital-wide quality improvement and patient safety programs.

Financial Management

• Assist in developing and managing the annual laboratory operating budget.
• Monitor departmental expenses and productivity metrics.
• Analyze budget variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare business justifications for capital equipment purchases.
• Oversee departmental resource utilization, equipment, and supply management.
• Support accurate cost tracking and financial reporting.

Process Improvement

• Develop, implement, and monitor process improvement initiatives throughout laboratory operations.
• Identify operational opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide consultation, education, policies, and procedures supporting continuous improvement.
• Recommend quality indicators aligned with organizational strategic objectives.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain laboratory personnel.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments.
• Administer corrective action and progressive discipline, up to and including termination.
• Approve payroll and ensure accurate employee compensation.
• Maintain staffing levels that support operational efficiency and patient care needs.

Customer Service & Communication

• Respond to customer concerns and resolve service issues promptly.
• Communicate operational updates through meetings, email, memoranda, and other communication channels.
• Build strong relationships with physicians, hospital leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and exceptional customer service.

Laboratory Systems & Clinical Excellence

• Partner with pathologists and physicians to ensure accurate, timely laboratory testing.
• Collaborate with Quality and CPOE teams to optimize laboratory workflows and clinical outcomes.
• Oversee laboratory equipment evaluation, procurement, maintenance, and replacement planning.
• Maintain professional competency and support staff education and continuing development.
• Stay current with industry trends through professional literature, conferences, and continuing education.

Policy & Safety

• Develop, implement, interpret, and maintain departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention, workplace safety, and organizational policies.
• Maintain compliance with all Employee Handbook requirements and organizational standards.

QualificationsEducation

• Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science, or a Biological Science required.
• Certification by a nationally recognized agency required:
  • ASCP (Preferred)
  • AMT (Acceptable)
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification may be considered with applicable education and experience, including a minimum bachelor's degree in a biological science.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of clinical laboratory experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of laboratory supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary laboratory operations.
• Experience with systems integration, process improvement, and regulatory compliance preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Thorough knowledge of CLIA, CAP, FDA, and laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, and productivity analysis.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead quality improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Ability to establish collaborative relationships across departments and with medical staff.
• Successful completion of annual laboratory competency requirements.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced laboratory leader with a proven track record of managing complex clinical laboratory operations, developing high-performing teams, driving quality improvement initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance, and aligning laboratory services with organizational strategic goals. They possess excellent leadership, financial management, and operational planning skills while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.