Laboratory Manager, Core Laboratories Services

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Laboratory Manager to oversee Core Laboratories Services. This role involves leading a diverse team, ensuring high-quality laboratory processing, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will possess strong operational leadership skills, a commitment to innovation, and the ability to drive efficiency and employee engagement. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic health environment, where your leadership can inspire excellence and promote strategic alignment within the organization.

Qualifications

• 2 years of supervisory experience in a complex health environment required.
• Bachelor’s degree with completion of a NAACLS approved program.

Responsibilities

• Provide management and oversight of Core Laboratories Services.
• Foster teamwork and alignment with department goals.
• Support innovation and manage organizational change.

Skills

Leadership

Communication Skills

Project Management

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in MLS/CLS/HTL or equivalent

Job description

The Laboratory Manager will provide management and oversight of all activities related to Core Laboratories Services, including the laboratory at Emily Couric Cancer Center. The Core Laboratories Services at UVA Health encompass high-volume laboratory processing and testing 24/7. Core Laboratories Services include: Chemistry, Immunochemistry and Electrophoresis, Hematology and Special Hematology, Coagulation and Special Coagulation, Manuals and Serology, and Specimen Management.

The position will have 10 Direct Reports (4 Laboratory Supervisors, 6 Lead Technologists) and approximately 90 team members (Clinical Lab Scientists and Specimen Management Technicians).

The preferred candidate will have operational leadership experience to drive innovation, quality, efficiency, and employee engagement to promote continuous improvements and strategic alignment. Knowledge of technical areas and regulatory requirements and strong communication, collaboration, staff development, and project management skills are highly valued.

1) Provides effective leadership to team/ work group

• Commitment to organization’s vision, values, purpose, and direction is nurtured.
• Unit / department goals are aligned effectively with the strategic direction of the medical center.
• Department goals and objectives are implemented with staff involvement and appropriate delegation.
• Teamwork is fostered for effective department / unit operations.
• All relevant issues, stakeholders and broad systematic implications are considered when making decisions.
• Opportunities are created and promoted to celebrate the contributions of the team/work group.

2) Models effective communication and collaboration skills/behaviors.

• Cooperation is always promoted when working with other work groups.
• Information is shared appropriately with employees and those that might find it useful.
• Ideas and concerns of others are listened to attentively and with understanding.
• Integrated work processes are ensured by working with internal and external partners.
• A broad network of contacts, within and outside the medical center, is cultivated, regardless of boundaries. Organizational barriers to collaboration and teamwork are removed.

3) Takes action to achieve measurable results.

• Broad strategies and business plans are translated into specific objectives, metrics and action plans that are linked to the strategic plan.
• Goals are developed that are challenging but achievable, with appropriately aggressive yet realistic time frames, for achieving objectives.
• A sense of urgency is demonstrated when solving problems and getting work done.
• Decisive action is taken in high stakes situations, crises or conditions of uncertainty.
• Accountability is ensured by using key indicators, processes and management systems to monitor the department’s performance against goals.

4) Supports innovation and organizational change to improve effectiveness.

• Structures and processes are established to plan and manage the orderly implementation of change.
• Individuals and groups are helped to manage the anxiety of significant change in a timely manner.
• Problem solving and creative thinking processes that lead to the development and implementation of new approaches and methods are facilitated at every opportunity.
• An environment of continuous improvement, best practices, lessons learned, and quality outcomes is fostered.
• Competing demands, shifting priorities and organizational constraints are adapted to appropriately.

5) Develops talent and coaches peers and others to develop their capabilities.

• Assignments are given appropriately to develop staff. Behaviorally specific feedback is provided in a timely manner.
• Decision making is fostered at the lowest level whenever appropriate.
• Progress in development of behaviors, skills and abilities is reviewed and recognized regularly.
• Staff are consistently recognized and rewarded for their achievements and creative ways are sought to make staff’s work rewarding.
• Career development, work environment and life balance issues are addressed to ensure the medical center retains talented people.

6) Manages within approved budget.

• Financial analyses are applied to evaluate opportunities, make strategic choices and determine impact of key decisions.
• Organizational resources are allocated in an efficient and cost-effective manner, in alignment with goals and objectives.
• Expenses are managed and revenue (if applicable) is generated within approved budgeted guidelines.

7) Applies knowledge of functional area to effectively manage operations.

• Industry trends are followed in order to take advantage of cutting-edge and innovative ideas.
• Functional knowledge is applied to effectively manage department / unit operations.
• Functional knowledge is applied to effectively solve a range of problems.

8) Holds staff accountable for meeting external and/or internal customers needs.

• Communication with internal and/or external customers occurs on a regular basis to identify expectations and satisfaction level.
• Business concerns and perspectives of customers are recognized and addressed, pursuing a win-winoutcome.
• Customer problems are solved quickly and effectively. Confidentiality is maintained at all times with customer information or concerns.
• Follow through is maintained on committed actions in a timely manner.

Position Compensation Range: $93,142.40 - $149,032.00 Annual

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree with completion of a NAACLS approved MLS/CLS/HTL or equivalent program.

EXPERIENCE: 2 years of increasing supervisory, managerial and/or leadership experience in a complex health environment required, 4 years preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: MLS/CLS, CT, HTL, ASCP or equivalent. May require a valid Virginia Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experience. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.