Clinical Laboratory Director

FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc. is seeking a Director of Laboratory Services to provide operational oversight of the clinical laboratory, ensuring high-quality, cost-efficient services with strict regulatory compliance.

The role reports to the Corporate Administrative Director, Laboratory Services and supervises technical staff, phlebotomy, and specimen processing. The position emphasizes strategic budgeting, policy development, system improvements, and collaboration with physicians to meet

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of management experience in a clinical laboratory.
• Experience with CLIA, CAP, DNV, AABB regulatory standards.
• Ability to develop and manage operating budgets and capital budgets.
• Strong communication and collaboration with physicians and staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems and reporting processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversees administrative and investigative functions of the clinical laboratory.
• Ensures timely, high-quality, cost-effective services and regulatory compliance.
• Directs staffing, equipment, and customer service; implements improvements as needed.
• Maintains policies, procedures, and quality assurance programs; prepares budgets.
• Collaborates with medical staff and external customers to meet lab needs.
• Leads accreditation data management and reporting for laboratory systems.
• Mentors and develops laboratory staff and teaching programs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Quality improvement

Staff supervision

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related field

ASCP certification

Tools

LIS

Budgeting software

Job description

Overview

Provides operational oversight for the clinical laboratory. Under authority delegated by the Medical Director, directs personnel who perform laboratory testing used to diagnose and treat disease. Ensures timely, high-quality, cost-effective services and compliance with CLIA, CAP, DNV, AABB, and other applicable regulatory requirements. Monitors departmental quality metrics and promotes continuous improvement. Develops operating and capital budgets and is accountable for departmental performance. Collaborates with physicians and external customers to ensure laboratory services meet their needs. Advances the organization's high-reliability goals, including the pursuit of zero patient harm, and supports laboratory system initiatives and corporate strategic priorities aligned with FirstHealth mission and values.

Reports to: Corporate Administrative Director, Laboratory Services

Positions supervised: Technical Staff, Phlebotomy and Specimen Processing

Directs and delegates to: All laboratory staff.

Responsibilities

1. 1. Applies education and training to the administrative and investigative functions of a clinical laboratory, including evaluating, troubleshooting, researching, and resolving day-to-day issues.
2. 2. Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication, documentation, and administrative skills.
3. 3. Demonstrates excellent customer service and collaborates effectively with others to achieve shared goals.
4. 4. Coordinates multiple priorities, works independently, meets deadlines, and achieves positive outcomes with minimal supervision.
5. 5. Makes timely, sound decisions affecting departmental operations, including staffing, equipment, and customer service.
6. 6. Adapts effectively to changing priorities and work environments.
7. 7. Maintains current knowledge of DNV, CLIA, CAP, and other applicable regulatory standards.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Work requires continual awareness of the risk of infectious-disease exposure through contact with patients, blood, and body fluids. The position must be able to function effectively in stressful situations and requires manual dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to move throughout the facility.

Age Group Served: All

Position Specific Competencies

In addition to the essential competencies below, other competencies may be required as organizational needs evolve.

1. 1. Uses a structured problem-solving approach to plan and deliver services.
   • A. Organizes, directs, and manages all laboratory services by establishing and implementing policies and procedures that support departmental objectives.
   • B. Maintains hospital and departmental policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control practices and ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
   • C. Fulfills fiscal responsibilities by preparing operating, equipment, and personnel budgets for approval.
   • D. Evaluates departmental practices and initiates or recommends improvements to services and methodologies. Keeps management informed of needs and concerns and consults with medical staff and other healthcare providers on laboratory services.
   • E. Coordinates accreditation data, laboratory requisitions, and improvements to reporting systems; serves as liaison for laboratory information systems; supports student integration into laboratory teaching programs; and communicates the availability of new laboratory services across the hospital.
   • F. Ensures laboratory processes are standardized and aligned with system laboratory initiatives.
2. 2. Provides services that reflect the physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and age-specific needs of the populations served.
   • A. Maintains professional growth through seminars, workshops, conferences, and professional affiliations and sustains clinical and professional competencies appropriate to the services provided and patient populations served.
   • B. Attends required administrative, departmental, and divisional meetings; participates on committees as requested; and performs related duties consistent with the role as directed by the Medical Director and Administrative Director.
   • C. Participates in special projects and assignments; supports short- and long-range planning for new laboratory services; and contributes to decisions involving consolidation, new ventures, revenue growth, and testing expansion.
3. 3. Uses equipment and supplies appropriately.
   • A. Conducts cost analyses for equipment, reagents, supplies, leases, service contracts, and agreements; oversees purchasing and requisitioning; and submits, monitors, and explains expense variances.
   • B. Screens and interviews sales representatives, directs them to appropriate staff, and collaborates with technical sales support, hospital purchasing, and relevant committees on purchasing decisions and evaluations of new services and products.
4. 4. Applies appropriate safety and infection-control practices.
   • A. Establishes service priorities, work routines, and workflow patterns to support prompt, efficient service delivery. Ensures staff compliance with departmental standards, policies, procedures, and sound laboratory practices and addresses noncompliant work practices.
   • B. Investigates incidents, takes appropriate action, completes required reports, and promotes positive employee and interdepartmental relationships.
5. 5. Teaches, directs, advises, and informs others effectively.
   • A. Serves as a management and problem-solving resource for administrative and supervisory staff. Addresses concerns involving administrative and clinical laboratory functions and partners with supervisory staff to resolve them.
   • B. Advises supervisors and technologists on personnel matters in accordance with hospital policy. Evaluates performance and recommends or initiates appropriate personnel actions, including merit increases, promotions, transfers, corrective action, and termination. Maintains personnel records for all clinical laboratory staff.
6. 6. Records and reports information accurately.
   • A. Implements cost-control measures for supplies, materials, and equipment; maintains adequate inventory and equipment functionality; submits budget data; prepares expense and equipment projections; verifies billing; and calculates costs.
   • B. Supports the development and operation of the Laboratory and Hospital Information Systems and ensures their functionality aligns with the laboratory's mission.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

The following qualifications, or equivalent combinations of education and experience, are preferred minimum requirements for performing the position’s essential functions:

Education/formal training/licensure/certification/experience:

Master's or bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related scientific field.

ASCP certification, or an equivalent credential, is required, along with at least five years of experience demonstrating strong technical and management capabilities.

A combination of laboratory experience, computer proficiency, technical expertise, and management experience beyond the minimum requirement may be considered in place of the degree requirement.