Manager, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories

The University of Kansas Health System; North Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Health System in Missouri seeks a Manager of Molecular Diagnostics to lead the division, ensure accurate patient testing, and maintain regulatory compliance. You will oversee staffing, budgeting, quality assurance, and external accreditation activities, collaborating with medical directors to align test performance with safety and service goals.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality results for patients and

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology, MLS, or Physics from an accredited program.
• Minimum 2+ years supervising a high-complexity PCR/NGS molecular lab.
• Minimum 5+ years ASCP MLS/MB with PCR/NGS experience.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy to meet current and future needs in molecular diagnostics.
• Ensure development and validation practices meet regulatory requirements and document test performance.
• Establish and maintain a quality control program with proficiency testing and corrective actions.
• Oversee staffing, recruitment, training, payroll, and performance reviews; ensure adherence to policies.
• Ensure patient test results are reported only after corrective actions and system readiness.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Regulatory compliance

Quality assurance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology, Medical Lab Science, or Physics

ASCP MLS/MB certification

Job description

Position Summary / Career Interest:

This position is responsible for the operational leadership, regulatory compliance, and overall performance of the Molecular Diagnostics Division at The University of Kansas Health System. Ensures accurate, timely, and high-quality patient testing while maintaining compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements. Oversees staffing, scheduling, training, competency assessment, budgeting, quality assurance/improvement, and departmental operations. Provides leadership for operational, financial, and personnel functions, including customer service, contracting, billing, coding, inventory, equipment, and human resources. Oversees inspections, audits, accreditation, and external laboratory assessments while promoting a patient-centered culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Supports the Health System’s mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives through effective resource management, sound decision-making, and strong communication. Drives team performance by aligning departmental goals with organizational priorities and delivering exceptional service to patients, providers, and colleagues.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions
• The Manager works in partnership with the section Directors and Division Leadership to set strategy to meet current and future needs in molecular diagnostics.
• In collaboration with the Medical Director and Section Director; The Manager ensures development and validation practices are sound and meet/exceed regulatory requirements. The Manager ensures that the laboratory’s test performance characteristics, including the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each test and test system are confirmed and documented.
• Demonstrates competence in the areas of critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and technical skills.
• The manager is accessible to provide internal and external consultation as needed, and as required by CLIA.
• Ensures enrollment and participation in a CAP-approved proficiency testing program commensurate with the services offered. Ensures Technical Assessments (TA) required by MolDx are submitted in a timely manner and ensures successful TA outcomes both to support z code claims requirements and reimbursement.
• Establishes a quality control program appropriate for the testing performed and establishes the parameters for acceptable levels of analytic performance and ensures that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process from the initial receipt of the specimen, through sample analysis and reporting of test results.
• Resolves technical problems and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
• Manages human resource functions such as interviewing, selection, orientation, education/training, feedback, performance evaluation, and policy and procedure development. Maintains personnel files, including documentation of appropriate staff orientation, competency, training, discipline and performance reviews. Oversees department timekeeping and payroll. Manages employee issues and performance. Conducts employee coaching, counseling, disciplinary actions and annual appraisals. Monitors staff adherence to hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Provides technical consultation for policies, procedures and practices.
• Ensures that patient test results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is functioning properly.
• Collaboratively Identifies training needs and assures that testing personnel receive regular in-service training and education appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
• Evaluates the competency of all testing personnel and assures that the staff maintains competency to perform test procedures and report test results promptly, accurately and proficiently.
• Provides effective leadership to the unit/team. Able to strategically identify, internalize and communicate the critical success factors necessary for the unit/team.
• Reports to regulatory and accrediting agencies as appropriate.
• Reviews ongoing record evaluations of the reactivity of reagents, controls, instrument function checks and temperature records.
• Delegates duties as appropriate, including the roles of general supervisor and testing personnel as outlined in the Laboratory policies.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology, Medical Lab Science, or Physics from an accredited college or university.
• 2 or more years Supervisory experience in a high-complexity PCR and NGS Molecular Laboratory. AND
• 5 or more years ASCP certified Medical Lab Scientist/Molecular Scientist (MB) with PCR and NGS experience

Required Licensure and Certification

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) – American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP) upon Hire OR
• Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB) – American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP) upon Hire

Required Language Skills

• Fluent English –

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.