Laboratory Services Leader — Strategy, Growth & Ops

Ardent Health Services; Brentwood (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardent Health Services seeks a Laboratory Services Director to provide strategic leadership for the organization’s laboratory service line. You will drive quality, operational excellence, financial performance, growth, and standardization across labs, partnering with physicians, hospital leadership, and supply chain teams.

You will lead standardization efforts, utilization management, and technology adoption while developing long-term capital plans and workforce needs.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive laboratory leadership experience in an acute care health system or integrated delivery network.
• Experience leading multi-site laboratory operations and enterprise initiatives.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, regulatory requirements, financial management, and performance improvement methodologies.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence training.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategy, performance, and growth of laboratory services across the health system.
• Partners with laboratory leaders, pathologists, physicians, and hospital leadership to achieve quality, operational, and financial objectives.
• Drives laboratory standardization, utilization management, process improvement, and technology adoption.
• Develops long-term plans for operations, capital investments, workforce needs, and service expansion.
• Leads laboratory sourcing, contracting, vendor management, and equipment standardization initiatives.
• Collaborates with Supply Chain and Finance to identify cost savings and value optimization opportunities.
• Oversees laboratory capital planning, equipment lifecycle management, and supplier performance.
• Utilizes data and analytics to improve operational efficiency, quality outcomes, and financial results.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and quality standards.
• Promotes continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of laboratory best practices across the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Allied Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field

Master's degree

Job description

Ardent Health Services seeks a Laboratory Services Director to provide strategic leadership for the organization’s laboratory service line. You will drive quality, operational excellence, financial performance, growth, and standardization across labs, partnering with physicians, hospital leadership, and supply chain teams.

You will lead standardization efforts, utilization management, and technology adoption while developing long-term capital plans and workforce needs.