Clinical Lab Operations Leader

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego seeks a Laboratory Manager to provide daily operational management for the Clinical Laboratory. You will lead staffing, productivity, and quality, ensuring regulatory compliance and service delivery aligned with organizational goals.

You will drive process improvements, oversee instrumentation and LIS integration, and collaborate with clinical leaders to enhance patient care while managing budgets and resources. A strong leadership record in a clinical lab is required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant management experience in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Experience with regulatory compliance (CLIA, CAP, CDPH) and Quality systems.
• Ability to lead staffing, productivity, and performance improvements.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques and procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Proven track record of applying technical knowledge to optimize operations.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily laboratory operations including staffing, productivity, quality and service delivery.
• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Provide leadership during staffing shortages and high-volume periods.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes and workflows.
• Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, CDPH, and safety requirements.
• Maintain inspection readiness and accreditation standards.
• Lead recruitment, performance management and staff development.
• Monitor KPIs and drive data-based improvements.
• Oversee new instrumentation, automation, and LIS implementations.
• Collaborate with physicians and other departments to improve patient care.

Skills

Staff leadership

Quality management

Process improvement

Budgeting & resource management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in business or healthcare administration

Master’s degree in healthcare administration or business administration

Tools

LIS

Instrumentation implementation

Job description

UC San Diego seeks a Laboratory Manager to provide daily operational management for the Clinical Laboratory. You will lead staffing, productivity, and quality, ensuring regulatory compliance and service delivery aligned with organizational goals.

You will drive process improvements, oversee instrumentation and LIS integration, and collaborate with clinical leaders to enhance patient care while managing budgets and resources. A strong leadership record in a clinical lab is required.