Clinical Lab Manager - Lab Administration - 140949

University of California San Diego

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 137,000 - 268,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking an experienced Clinical Lab Manager to lead daily operations in the Clinical Laboratory, ensuring staffing, productivity, quality, and service delivery meet organizational goals.

You will collaborate with medical directors, supervisors, and partners to translate priorities into effective daily operations, driving continuous improvement and ensuring regulatory readiness across CLIA, CAP, and CDPH standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business or healthcare administration or related field.
7+ years of relevant experience.
Experience in laboratory techniques and procedures.
Knowledge of management theory and economic impact.
Ability to apply technical knowledge to improve operations.

Responsibilities

Direct daily laboratory operations, including staffing, productivity, quality, and service delivery.
Develop and implement operational strategies to support organizational priorities and laboratory goals.
Provide leadership during staffing shortages, system interruptions, high-volume periods.
Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, workflows, and overall operational effectiveness.
Lead, develop, and support supervisors and laboratory staff.
Participate in recruitment, performance management, employee development, and succession planning.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-focused team environment.
Monitor key performance indicators, including turnaround times, quality, productivity, staffing, and service metrics.
Lead the implementation and integration of new instrumentation, automation, testing methodologies, information systems, and operational processes.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Operations management

Quality improvement

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or healthcare administration

Master’s degree in healthcare administration or related field

California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License

Tools

Laboratory automation

LIS

Instrumentation implementation

Process validation

Job description

#140949 Clinical Lab Manager - Lab Administration

Extended Deadline: Tue 10/13/2026

Payroll Title: CLIN LAB MGR 1

Department: Lab Administration

Hiring Pay Scale: $136,600 - $267,600 / Year

Worksite: La Jolla

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hours, Monday-Friday

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 08/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

Provides daily operational management support for the Clinical Laboratory in assigned areas. Manages productivity, technical performance of specimen processing and laboratory testing and efficient operations of equipment.

The Manager works collaboratively with laboratory leadership, medical directors, supervisors, staff and clinical partners to translate organizational priorities to effective daily operations and improvements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

Direct daily laboratory operations, including staffing, productivity, quality, and service delivery.
Develop and implement operational strategies to support organizational priorities and laboratory goals.
Provide leadership during staffing shortages, system interruptions, high-volume periods, and other operational challenges.
Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, workflows, and overall operational effectiveness.

Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness

Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, CDPH, safety requirements, and organizational policies and procedures.
Maintain continuous inspection readiness and ensure laboratory operations meet applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.
Oversee appropriate investigation, documentation, and corrective action related to quality, compliance, and operational issues.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, develop, and support supervisors and laboratory staff.
Participate in recruitment, performance management, employee development, and succession planning.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-focused team environment.
Support staff engagement, professional growth, and effective performance management.

Quality & Performance Management

Monitor key performance indicators, including turnaround times, quality, productivity, staffing, and service metrics.
Use operational and quality data to guide decision-making, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement.
Monitor laboratory performance and implement corrective actions when performance or quality goals are not met.
Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. Process Improvement & Innovation
Lead initiatives to improve laboratory processes, workflows, efficiency, and service delivery.
Lead the implementation and integration of new instrumentation, automation, testing methodologies, information systems, and operational processes.
Evaluate the impact of new technologies and processes on quality, productivity, staffing, and patient care.

Financial & Resource Management

Participate in budget management, staffing plans, equipment selection, and resource allocation.
Optimize staffing and laboratory resources to support operational needs, productivity, quality, and financial goals.
Evaluate operational needs and support decisions regarding equipment, technology, and other laboratory resources.

Clinical & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Collaborate with physicians, nursing, laboratory medical and technical leadership, and other departments to resolve issues and improve patient care.
Partner with interdisciplinary leaders to support effective communication, coordination, and integration of laboratory services.
Serve as a laboratory leadership resource during complex operational and patient-care situations.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in business or healthcare administration or related area; and/or equivalent combination of experience/training.
A minimum of seven (7) or more years of relevant experience.
Experience and proven success in technical proficiency in laboratory techniques and procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge of management theory, economic impact and management functions.
Proven ability to apply technical knowledge and skills to improve operations and management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License.
Master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or related fields.
Experience in a large hospital, academic medical center, or integrated health system.
Experience in laboratory testing with an emphasis on Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation & Blood Bank.
Experience with laboratory automation, LIS, instrumentation implementation, validation, and process improvement.
Experience with regulatory agencies, such as FDA, AAB, & CAP.
Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
Employment is subject to a criminal background check and a pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $136,600 - $267,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.42 - $128.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: