Associate Director, Laboratory Services

Waterbury Health Operations Corp; Connecticut; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The UConn Health Community Network, anchored by Waterbury Hospital, seeks a Laboratory Services leader to support and direct laboratory operations under the Laboratory Director and Medical Director Pathology. You will ensure regulatory compliance, coordinate staffing, and collaborate across departments to deliver high-quality laboratory services to inpatients, outpatients, and outreach programs.

A Bachelor's degree and MT/CLS certification are preferred; strong communication and QA focus is

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or related field preferred.
• MT (ASCP) or CLS (NCA) certification is required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct laboratory functions under the Laboratory Director to align with hospital goals and services.
• Plan, implement and maintain a staffing schedule to ensure optimal delivery of laboratory services for inpatients, outpatients and outreach.
• Assist with interviewing, hiring and onboarding of new staff; process employment paperwork and promotions.
• Staff all shifts to ensure quality service and appropriate coverage across all units.
• Collaborate with Directors to address disciplinary actions and follow-up procedures.
• Oversee payroll preparation and attendance systems.
• Interface with HIS/LIS systems and train staff; promote new laboratory services and business expansion.
• Maintain QC/CQI programs and ensure compliance with CAP, CLIA and Joint Commission standards.
• Work with medical directors to ensure regulatory compliance and service quality across the laboratory.

Skills

Laboratory management

Staff scheduling

Regulatory compliance

Quality control

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

MT (ASCP) or CLS (NCA) certification

Tools

HIS/LIS systems

Job description

• Locations 64 Robbins St, Waterbury, CT, 06708, US

About Us

The UConn Health Community Network is a not-for-profit organization created to extend UConn Health's mission by partnering with community hospitals and connecting them to its clinical expertise, academic strength, and operational resources.

Today, the network is a thriving community-based system of care serving more than 280,000 residents across the region. It employs over 2,000 professionals and supports a medical staff of roughly 700 clinicians.

At its core is Waterbury Hospital, a 347-bed community teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Alongside Connecticut Children's, the UConn Health Community Network Medical Group, Access Rehab Centers, and its role as a leading partner in the Harold Leever Cancer Center, the network has been shaping the region’s healthcare landscape for more than 130 years.

And Waterbury Hospital is only the beginning - the network is designed for continued growth, deeper partnerships, and broader regional impact.

Job Description

Responsible for supporting and leading Laboratory service functions under the direction of the Director of Laboratory Services and the Medical Director Pathology. Responsible for assisting the Director in laboratory operations and direction of the staff in the Laboratory. Responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, operations of the department and assisting with managing/scheduling of professional and non-professional Laboratory staff. Responsible for supporting the team and working with other departments to provide laboratory services.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for coordinating and directing the functions under the direction of the Laboratory Director to conform to established Hospital and Laboratory goals; Prepares goals and objectives for department, plans for delivery of care and scope of services, and communicates such to staff
• Plan, implement and maintain a scheduling system under the direction of the Laboratory Director to assure optimal utilization of staff in the delivery of Laboratory services for inpatients, outpatients and outreach program.
• Assist Director with interviewing, hiring and orienting of new staff. Process paperwork associated with employment, promotions, leaves, etc.
• Staff all shifts with both appropriate and sufficient staff to ensure delivery of service at quality levels deemed appropriate.
• Work with Director and supervisors to advise on disciplinary actions and procedures for follow-up considering some unusual cases.
• Perform and/or oversee entire payroll preparation and attendance recording systems.
• Handle employee grievances and represent Laboratory practice and policy at Union grievances and arbitration in conjunction with HR Partner and Laboratory Director.
• Interfaces with HIS/LIS systems, ensuring accuracy of data and functions and training of staff, and utilizes data and reports to improve operations; responsible for researching, developing and promoting of various new laboratory services including a business plan for market expansion and Laboratory Strategic Planning.
• Maintains and enhances professional growth and development through educational programs, workshops, and professional affiliations.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining of variety of quality control (QC), continuous quality improvement (CQI), Joint Commission, Laboratory regulatory agencies and related programs within the Laboratory for testing, patient care, equipment maintenance, etc., as required by CAP, Joint Commission, CLIA and/or other local, state and federal regulatory agencies
• Works with the medical director of the laboratory and director of laboratory to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies while ensuring quality of services provided, employee performance, community needs, scope of services.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Health Care, Business Administration or other related fields is preferred but not required. Proficient in the use of various software applications is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

MT (ASCP) or CLS (NCA)

EXPERIENCE

• Five years recent acute care clinical experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent negotiation/conflict resolution skills.
• Strong customer service skills. Ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Ability to anticipate problems and take preventive action
• Confident decision making and critical thinking skills and action oriented
• Demonstrated performance/process improvement skills