Lab Director

Cencora | Pharma solutions; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A reproductive health clinic in Toronto is seeking an experienced Lab Director to oversee laboratory operations. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with regulatory standards, manage laboratory staff, and improve treatment outcomes through effective strategies. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in biology and significant experience in lab management, andrology, and embryology procedures. This role emphasizes patient-centered care and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as laboratory director with extensive organizational and leadership skills.
• Intimate knowledge of andrology and embryology procedures, with required CFAS certification.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge in eIVF or similar advanced EMR.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities of laboratories and clinical teams to improve treatment outcomes.
• Oversee and participate in laboratory procedures and quality assurance.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and policies.

Skills

Laboratory management

Andrology procedures

Embryology procedures

Organizational skills

Leadership qualities

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

PhD degree in biology or biological sciences

CFAS certification in embryology and andrology

Tools

eIVF or similar advanced EMR

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

The Fertility Partners (TFP) is actively recruiting a Lab Director for its Generation Fertility Toronto West clinic, located in Etobicoke.

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating activities of the laboratories with activities of the clinical team and devising strategies to improve treatment outcomes. The Laboratory Director oversees and participates in laboratory procedures and monitors related quality assurance, quality control and record-keeping. The Laboratory Director ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, medical and technical policies, and procedural guidelines applicable to the laboratory. In addition, he/she reviews recommendations by medical and technical groups; and oversees any required licensing inspections. The successful candidate has clinical experience in human andrology and embryology with leadership duties over the clinic’s phlebotomy, andrology and embryology labs. The Lab Director is an active hands-on leader responsible for the overall administration and management of the laboratories.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintain the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of the laboratories in accordance with Federal, Provincial, and Regulatory agencies.
• Responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratories, including employment and development of competent personnel to perform test, andrology, and embryology procedures.
• Select and verify test methodologies and procedures to support fertility treatment.
• Regularly evaluate the feasibility and economics of bringing in-house tests and fertility procedures that are either performed externally or not at all and recommend and implement when feasible.
• Establish a robust quality control/quality management program.
• Resolve technical difficulties, measure productivity and effectiveness to identify training needs, and maintain technical competency of embryologists and andrologists.
• Maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures in all aspects of the laboratory operation that drives quality and productivity, while minimizing variability and mitigating risk exposure and mistakes.
• Regularly assess the SOPs in terms of mitigating the risk of low-probability, high-impact events.
• Assign job descriptions and duties to all laboratory personnel.
• Regularly review lab quality and performance metrics to target and drive improvements in quality and efficiency and reduce variability within and across personnel.
• Work cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team to provide patient-centered care, while meeting the objectives and goals of the practice.
• Ensure testing systems provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test performance, which includes the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing.
• Ensure verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method.
• Ensure all remedial actions are taken and documented whenever significant deviations from the laboratory’s established performance characteristics are identified.
• Ensure policies and procedures are established for monitoring individuals who conduct testing to maintain competency and identify needs for remedial training or continuing education to improve skills.
• Assess and manage the equipment needs of the laboratories to ensure optimal performance and sustained growth capacities.
• Ensure the laboratories are always compliant with all inspection and accreditation parameters.
• Maintain effective communication with the Medical Director, Operation Manager, and the physicians/clinical teams.
• Attend regular meetings with clinical teams and key stakeholders.
• Collect, analyze, and report on laboratory statistics (key performance indicators), and explain laboratory outcomes.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among laboratory staff members, expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness, and working effectively together.
• Must collaborate with the Medical Director to ensure appropriate implementation of the Regulations within the Lab and Clinic.
• Must have or gain an understanding of the Safety of Ova and Sperm Regulations and/or Health Canada Regulations when working with Donor Gametes.

Qualifications / Required Skills:

• 4+ years’ demonstrated experience as laboratory director with full knowledge and competency in laboratory management and directorship, and complete proficiency in all assisted reproduction procedures with extensive organizational, motivational and leadership qualities – ideally having supported significant growth as demonstrated by increase in volume, efficiency, performance, personnel, and new capabilities and services over that period.
• Intimate knowledge of all andrology and embryology procedures, with CFAS certification in embryology and andrology.
• Certified/accredited or eligible for certification and accreditation by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society as Clinical Laboratory Director in both andrology and embryology.
• PhD degree in biology or biological sciences from an accredited university required.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge in eIVF or similar advanced EMR.
• Ability to prioritize, organize workload and plan independently.
• Self-motivated to identify and drive new opportunities and improvements for the lab.
• Exceptional phone etiquette and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstration of good attendance and work performance.
• Knowledgeable and experience providing a safe and inclusive environment to gender and sexually diverse people (2SLGBTQIA+).
• Ability to mentor and develop entry andrologists and embryologists with minimal attrition.
• Committed to patient centered care.