Laboratory Manager

Institute of Health and Nursing Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education opportunities

EAP program

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA) in Melbourne is seeking a Laboratory Manager to oversee day-to-day laboratory operations that support course delivery and student learning. You will manage equipment, inventory, safety, compliance, and resource planning while collaborating with academic and operational teams to drive quality and continuous improvement.

The role requires leadership, strong regulatory knowledge, and experience in a laboratory or education-related environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Professional certification as Medical Laboratory Scientist desirable.
• Experience in laboratory management or operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance, calibration and validation of lab equipment.
• Maintain a safe, compliant laboratory environment with required safety protocols.
• Manage inventory and procurement to support academic delivery.
• Prepare and provide resources for practical training and student activities.
• Manage budgets, scheduling and day-to-day laboratory operations.
• Provide support for research and academic activities with access to equipment and materials.
• Produce monthly performance and operational reports and participate in reviews.
• Identify risks and implement corrective actions for safety and compliance.
• Support compliance with ASQA, ANMAC and National Code requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Laboratory management

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Communication

Resource planning

Teaching support

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology

Medical Laboratory Scientist certification (desirable)

Tools

Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

Job description

Institute of Health and Nursing Australia – Melbourne VIC

The Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA) is a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation committedto delivering high-quality, flexible and industry-relevant education across the healthcare and community services sectors. IHNA offers nationally recognised qualifications designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge for successful careers, while also providing pathways for further academic progression through university articulation.

About The Role

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the effective day-to-day operation of laboratory facilities that support course delivery and student learning. The role oversees laboratory equipment and resources, inventory and procurement, maintenance, safety and compliance requirements, and risk controls, ensuring laboratory facilities remain safe, compliant, well-maintained and appropriately resourced. Working closely with academic and operational teams, the Laboratory Manager supports resource planning, quality assurance and continuous improvement to ensure laboratory operations effectively meet teaching and learning requirements.

About Us

The Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA) is a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation committedto delivering high-quality, flexible and industry-relevant education across the healthcare and community services sectors. IHNA offers nationally recognised qualifications designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge for successful careers, while also providing pathways for further academic progression through university articulation.

About The Role

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the effective day-to-day operation of laboratory facilities that support course delivery and student learning. The role oversees laboratory equipment and resources, inventory and procurement, maintenance, safety and compliance requirements, and risk controls, ensuring laboratory facilities remain safe, compliant, well-maintained and appropriately resourced. Working closely with academic and operational teams, the Laboratory Manager supports resource planning, quality assurance and continuous improvement to ensure laboratory operations effectively meet teaching and learning requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the maintenance, calibration and validation of laboratory equipment, ensuring equipment remains functional, reliable and fit for purpose.
• Maintain a safe and compliant laboratory environment, implementing appropriate safety protocols and supporting compliance with relevant Australian regulatory and accreditation requirements, including NPAAC requirements where applicable.
• Manage laboratory inventory, equipment and consumables, ensuring adequate availability to support academic delivery while maintaining effective stock control.
• Support student learning and engagement by ensuring laboratory facilities and resources are appropriately prepared and available for practical training and hands-on learning activities.
• Manage laboratory resources, budgets and scheduling effectively to support efficient day-to-day operations.
• Provide timely laboratory support for research and academic activities, including access to required equipment, materials and resources.
• Maintain accurate monthly performance and operational reporting and participate in regular performance review meetings with the relevant manager.
• Monitor laboratory operations and provide relevant reports and updates to senior management.
• Identify operational, safety and compliance risks and implement appropriate corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support IHNA’s broader compliance obligations under applicable ASQA Standards, ANMAC Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards, the National Code and other relevant regulatory requirements and legislation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Medical Laboratory Technology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related field
• Professional certification or recognition as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, or equivalent - desirable.

Experience

• Relevant experience in laboratory management or laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory equipment, resources, quality systems, safety and compliance requirements.
• Previous supervisory or management experience is highly desirable.
• Experience within an education, healthcare, pathology or related laboratory environment will be highly regarded.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership, organisational and laboratory management skills.
• Sound knowledge of relevant laboratory regulatory, quality and safety requirements, including NPAAC requirements where applicable.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess and manage laboratory operational and safety risks.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to effectively manage resources, priorities and competing operational requirements.
• Ability to adopt and support the implementation of new technologies, systems and laboratory practices.
• Experience supporting or delivering training and guidance to staff and students.
• Ability to contribute to continuous improvement and operational planning aligned with organisational objectives.

Compliance Requirements

The successful applicant must hold, or be willing to obtain:

• National Police Clearance (issued within the required validity period).
• Working with Children Check (WWCC), where applicable.
• Evidence of valid working rights in Australia.
• Any other qualifications, registrations or compliance documentation required for the position.

Benefits

• Further education and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Opportunity to contribute to a growing education organisation within the healthcare sector.

All recruitment, selection and promotion decisions will be based on the best qualified and experienced candidate who can meet the genuine occupational requirements of this position. HCI provides equal opportunity in employment to all people without discrimination or harassment based on a personal characteristic protected under the Equal Opportunity Act. Indigenous Australians are also encouraged to apply for the position.