Vice President of Laboratory Services

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Title: Vice President of Laboratory Services

Location: Remote (Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Washington) + Travel to Renton, WA

Salary: $180,000

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Vice President of Laboratory Services provides strategic, operational, clinical, and regulatory leadership for the organization's centralized laboratory serving a nationwide network of outpatient substance use disorder treatment clinics. This executive leader is responsible for ensuring that the laboratory delivers high-quality, compliant, timely, and cost-effective diagnostic testing that supports patient care, regulatory compliance, and organizational growth.

The Vice President oversees all aspects of laboratory operations, including strategic planning, regulatory compliance, quality management, financial performance, laboratory technology, workforce development, client service, and business continuity. This position serves as the executive responsible for laboratory accreditation, operational excellence, innovation, and long-term strategic planning.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : The following functions have been determined by Ideal Option to be essential to the successful performance of this position which includes but is not limited to:

Executive Leadership

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for laboratory services aligned with organizational goals. 

• Serve as the executive leader responsible for laboratory performance nationwide. 

• Participate as a member of executive leadership committees. 

• Develop annual strategic initiatives, capital plans, and operational goals. 

• Lead organizational planning related to laboratory growth, expansion, automation, and technology. 

• Provide executive reporting on laboratory performance, quality metrics, regulatory compliance, financial results, and operational risks. 

• Build collaborative relationships across all departments supporting enterprise initiatives. 

• Promote a culture centered on patient safety, quality, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.  

Laboratory Operations

Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for all laboratory operations, including toxicology and clinical testing, specimen accessioning, processing, chain of custody, confirmation testing, result reporting, and laboratory customer service. Oversee courier and logistics operations, inventory and supply chain management, equipment maintenance, and vendor relationships to ensure efficient and reliable laboratory services.

Ensure laboratory operations consistently meet performance expectations related to turnaround times, specimen integrity, testing accuracy, productivity, capacity management, service level agreements, and client satisfaction. Develop and implement scalable operational models, processes, and resources that support continued organizational growth while maintaining quality, efficiency, compliance, and service excellence.

Regulatory Compliance

Maintain organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and industry regulations and standards, including CLIA, The Joint Commission, COLA (if applicable), state laboratory licensing requirements, DEA, OSHA, HIPAA, CMS, and FDA requirements where applicable. Lead and ensure successful completion of federal and state inspections, accreditation surveys, internal audits, and external audits. Develop proactive compliance monitoring systems to identify regulatory risks, address deficiencies, and implement timely corrective actions to maintain ongoing compliance and operational readiness.

Quality Management

Represent laboratory in enterprise-wide quality improvement initiatives.Provide executive oversight and leadership for laboratory quality management, including continuous quality improvement, quality assurance and control, proficiency testing, root cause investigations, incident reporting, document control, validation programs, and competency assessments. Monitor key laboratory quality indicators, including error rates, specimen rejection, turnaround times, provider leadership concerns, corrective actions, and patient safety events. Lead efforts to identify and resolve quality issues while promoting continuous improvement, operational excellence, and patient safety. Represent laboratory operations in enterprise-wide quality improvement initiatives.

Develop, manage, and provide strategic oversight of laboratory operating and capital budgets, including financial forecasting, cost management, productivity analysis, supply expense management, vendor negotiations, capital equipment planning, and contract management. Monitor key financial metrics, including cost per test, cost per accession, labor productivity, and equipment utilization. Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining laboratory quality, service, and patient safety.

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of laboratory technology, including the Laboratory Information System (LIS), laboratory automation, instrumentation, interface management, electronic ordering and reporting, middleware, and data analytics. Partner with Information Technology to ensure laboratory systems remain secure, reliable, integrated, and scalable. Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of emerging technologies that enhance laboratory operations, quality, efficiency, and organizational growth.

Collaborate with the Medical Director, providers, and clinical operations leadership to ensure laboratory services effectively support medication-assisted treatment (MAT), urine drug testing, confirmation testing, clinical decision-making, patient safety, and evidence-based treatment. Provide laboratory expertise and guidance in the development and implementation of clinical protocols and practices.

Support organizational expansion and business development initiatives by assessing laboratory capacity, developing scalable workflows, planning staffing models, evaluating new testing capabilities, and supporting new clinic openings, mergers and acquisitions, and due diligence for laboratory integration opportunities. Evaluate opportunities to expand testing services and establish strategic partnerships that support organizational growth and laboratory capabilities.

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for laboratory management, including the Laboratory Director, three Laboratory Managers, and Procurement Specialist. Lead organizational design, workforce and succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, performance management, recruitment, retention, coaching, and mentoring. Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance culture focused on accountability, professional development, operational excellence, and employee success.

Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks related to testing quality, regulatory compliance, business continuity, staffing, information security, disaster recovery, equipment failures, supply shortages, and patient safety. Develop, maintain, and implement laboratory emergency preparedness and business continuity plans to support operational resilience and uninterrupted services.

Provide strategic oversight of laboratory vendor relationships, including instrument manufacturers, reference laboratories, supply vendors, technology partners, courier services, and maintenance providers. Negotiate and manage contracts, establish performance expectations, and monitor vendor performance to ensure quality, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with laboratory and organizational needs.

Develop and maintain executive dashboards and performance reporting for key laboratory metrics, including turnaround time, test volumes, productivity, financial performance, quality indicators, regulatory findings, customer satisfaction, staffing metrics, equipment utilization, and growth metrics. Analyze performance trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and present laboratory performance reports to executive leadership and Board committees, as appropriate.

Maintain compliance with national Protected Health Information (PHI) requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and protect the confidentiality of sensitive organizational information. Maintain consistent and reliable attendance, work cooperatively with others as part of the Ideal Option team, and perform other projects and duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Must be reliable, highly trustworthy, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain confidential and meticulous records. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Teams, and Excel, is required.

Demonstrated expertise in clinical laboratory operations, toxicology testing, laboratory regulations and CLIA requirements, CAP or The Joint Commission accreditation, quality management systems, financial management, strategic planning, executive leadership, change management, Lean process improvement, Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), data analytics, operational excellence, healthcare compliance, risk management, vendor negotiations, talent development, healthcare reimbursement, and project management.

Strong ability to influence executive leaders, build and maintain cross-functional partnerships, lead organizational change, analyze complex operational and financial data, develop and execute long-term strategies, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, solve complex operational challenges, and make informed, data-driven decisions.

EDUCATION:

Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the following:

• Medical Laboratory Science 

• Clinical Laboratory Science 

• Biology 

• Chemistry 

• Microbiology 

• Related scientific field

Preferred: Master's degree in:

• Healthcare Administration 

•  Business Administration 

• Public Health 

• Clinical Laboratory Science 

• Related field preferred 

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• 10+ years of progressive laboratory leadership experience. 

• 7+ years leading high-complexity clinical laboratory operations. 

• Experience managing laboratory budgets exceeding several million dollars. 

• Experience leading laboratory accreditation and regulatory inspections. 

• Experience implementing laboratory technologies and automation. 

• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams. 

• Experience supporting geographically dispersed healthcare operations. 

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION:

One or more of the following preferred:

• ASCP Certification (MLS, MT, or equivalent)

• State Laboratory Director qualifications where applicable 

• CLIA Laboratory Director qualifications 

• Lean Six Sigma certification 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) 

Must meet qualifications necessary to oversee a high-complexity laboratory under applicable federal and state regulations.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: This position operates in both remote and laboratory environments, with regular on-site work in designated laboratory areas focused on specimen intake, processing, handling, and storage. The role involves frequent handling of biological specimens, including urine and blood, as well as regular use of laboratory equipment, computers, and specimen tracking systems. Employees may be exposed to biohazardous materials, laboratory chemicals, chemical reagents, cleaning agents, and noise from laboratory equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks, and lab coats, will be provided and is required when entering laboratory spaces.

The laboratory is a fast-paced, detail-oriented, and workflow-driven environment with high expectations for accuracy, productivity, and turnaround times. The position may involve repetitive tasks and processes and requires strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols, infection control standards, HIPAA and confidentiality requirements, and other applicable workplace safety procedures.

Travel Requirements:

• Required travel a minimum of 2 times/month to Renton, WA based Laboratory facilities.