Health Careers Lab Manager - Oakton College

Oakton College; Des Plaines, Evanston (IL, IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakton College in Des Plaines/Evanston, IL seeks a Lab Supervisor to lead instructional support for Health Careers labs. You will supervise student workers and technicians, coordinate lab prep, and ensure safety and compliance across campuses.

Responsibilities include hiring/training staff, budgeting, maintaining equipment, and coordinating with faculty. This role requires a science degree, relevant lab experience, and supervisory skills. A hybrid option may be available after 30 days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Science with specific coursework in Medical Laboratory Technology, Chemistry, Biology or health related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is required.
• Two years related clinical or laboratory experience is required.
• Two years supervisory experience is desirable.
• Ability to interact professionally and tactfully with people of different levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, and to exhibit an adequate level of respect to fellow employees and the College community at large.

Responsibilities

• Interview, hire, train, and supervise student employees as they prepare labs for various health career courses.
• Train and supervise the STEM and Health Careers Laboratory Specialist (in collaboration with Biology Lab Manager or STEM designee), along with part-time staff in the Health Careers division. Responsible for interviewing and hiring to fill these positions when there are vacancies.
• Review clinical and experimental procedures and equipment with lab instructors as necessary.
• Develop lab schedules and preparation guidelines for clinical skills and lab experiments.
• Develop budget requests, purchase and maintain inventory of health careers supplies, equipment, and educational materials, adhere to budget limits, and initiate request orders for supplies and equipment at applicable campuses.
• Initiate and supervise the maintenance and repair of specialized lab and medical equipment, and initiate requests for and supervise routine repairs of lab facilities (e.g., drains, faucets, safety equipment).
• Ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and instructors in the Health Careers labs. This could include but is not limited to: evaluating hazards and risks, conducting inspections, maintaining records of audits and corrective actions, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
• Ensure that applicable faculty, staff, and students receive appropriate training regarding the handling of biohazardous/medical waste, personal protective equipment, and hygiene protocols.
• Collect, organize, and remove biohazard and chemical waste from the labs to a designated area, and maintain an inventory of necessary supplies.
• Supervise the safety and security of the lab facilities, including during times when students are not in attendance, but the college is open.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Skills

Bachelor's in Science

Clinical/Lab experience

Supervisory experience

Professional communication

Education

Bachelor's in Science

Job description

Location: Des Plaines/Evanston, IL

Category: Staff

Job Type: Full Time Staff

Posted On: Wed Aug 19 2026

Job Summary

Under general supervision, plan and direct the delivery of instructional support services available in the Health Careers labs at the Des Plaines campus and Evanston Health Careers Education Center. The primary focus involves supervising student workers and specialized technicians to ensure instructional labs are prepared for various health career disciplines.

Job Responsibilities

• Interview, hire, train, and supervise student employees as they prepare labs for various health career courses.
• Train and supervise the STEM and Health Careers Laboratory Specialist (in collaboration with Biology Lab Manager or STEM designee), along with part-time staff in the Health Careers division. Responsible for interviewing and hiring to fill these positions when there are vacancies.
• Review clinical and experimental procedures and equipment with lab instructors as necessary.
• Develop lab schedules and preparation guidelines for clinical skills and lab experiments.
• Develop budget requests, purchase and maintain inventory of health careers supplies, equipment, and educational materials, adhere to budget limits, and initiate request orders for supplies and equipment at applicable campuses.
• Initiate and supervise the maintenance and repair of specialized lab and medical equipment, and initiate requests for and supervise routine repairs of lab facilities (e.g., drains, faucets, safety equipment).
• Ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and instructors in the Health Careers labs. This could include but is not limited to: evaluating hazards and risks, conducting inspections, maintaining records of audits and corrective actions, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
• Ensure that applicable faculty, staff, and students receive appropriate training regarding the handling of biohazardous/medical waste, personal protective equipment, and hygiene protocols.
• Collect, organize, and remove biohazard and chemical waste from the labs to a designated area, and maintain an inventory of necessary supplies.
• Supervise the safety and security of the lab facilities, including during times when students are not in attendance, but the college is open.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Supervision Received

Administrative supervision is received from the Dean of Health Careers. Functional supervision may be received from the Program Chair, and/or designated faculty member.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision is exercised over the STEM and Health Careers Laboratory Specialist and part-time laboratory staff. Functional supervision is also exercised over a team of approximately 5-7 student employees.

Job Requirements:

Education, Work Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Science with specific course work in Medical Laboratory Technology, Chemistry, Biology or health related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is required.
• Two years related clinical or laboratory experience is required.
• Two years supervisory experience is desirable.
• Ability to interact professionally and tactfully with people of different levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, and to exhibit an adequate level of respect to fellow employees and the College community at large.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Light lifting up to 30 lbs. and light carrying up to 30 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of time spent sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending and stooping. Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus and to visit off-Campus entities. Employees may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and biohazards

Additional Information:

HOURS: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:15 pm

SALARY: The hourly salary of this position is $30.39 which equates to $61,242 annualized based on Oakton's summer hours schedule.

The location (Des Plaines or Evanston) will vary due to the needs of the college for a given term (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Based on the needs of the college and with Administrator approval, some positions at the college may have a hybrid schedule option available after 30 working days.

For information regarding employment eligibility, please visit our employment at Oakton web page.

Equal Opportunity Employer