Manager of Laboratory - Day Shift

Mercy Health Corporation; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life & Disability Insurance

FSA/HSA Options

Generous paid time off

Tuition and certification reimburse

Job summary

Mercyhealth in Illinois seeks a dynamic laboratory leader to drive quality, regulatory readiness, and staff development across our labs. You will guide accreditation readiness, implement performance-improvement initiatives, and manage budgets while evaluating new technologies to improve accuracy and patient outcomes.

The role includes onboarding of new partners, coordinating competency programs, and ensuring documentation, training, and policy updates across Mercyhealth labs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in medical laboratory science or related field.
• Three to five years' leadership experience in a lab setting.
• ASCP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with accrediting and regulatory standards and maintain survey readiness.
• Oversee competency checks, education records, and continuing education programs.
• Coordinate performance improvement, data dashboards, and communication of results.
• Develop and update lab and safety policies; manage onboarding and access (Epic/Beaker).
• Oversee budgeting, capital equipment quotes, and monthly financial reporting.
• Lead staffing planning, hiring, evaluations, and career development for partners.

Skills

Quality improvement

Accreditation readiness

Staff development

Budget management

Laboratory technologies

Education

Bachelor's or Associate in medical laboratory science

Tools

Epic Beaker

Epic (Hospital Information System)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking dynamic and results-driven laboratory leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering high-performing teams. Expertise in quality improvement, accreditation readiness, staff development, budget management, and implementation of innovative laboratory technologies that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. Recognized for building collaborative partnerships, leading organizational change, and delivering measurable improvements across laboratory operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assures compliance with current standards of accrediting and regulatory agencies and maintains a state of continuous survey readiness.




• Assures all partners competency checks are performed in a timely manner; assures appropriate documentation of education, registry and training. Administrates continuing education program including documentation of all continuing education activities.




• Coordinates and administrates the performance improvement process; coordinates production of new indicators, collects data, updates and posts dashboards and communicates results with partners.




• Reviews and updates and develops general lab and safety policies




• Investigates new technology as it becomes available, validates applicability to Mercyhealth labs, sets up demonstrations, gathers quotes and produces financial impact reports. Coordinates implementation of new technology; assures appropriate validation, training, procedures and documentation.




• Administers Proficiency Testing Program; ordering appropriate products, monitoring performance, assisting with unsatisfactory result investigations.




• Responds to Occurrence reports and Customer Comment Cards; performs investigation, completes response, contacts patient and makes procedural or partner corrections as necessary.




• Serves on appropriate interdepartmental committees.




• Plans for staffing needs; provides appropriate information to support requests for new positions. Interviews, selects and hires appropriate mix of partners.




• Completes performance evaluations on direct reports.




• Revises and reviews job descriptions as necessary; develops new descriptions as necessary.




• Works with partners on day to day problem resolution, development of skills for career ladder and performs corrective actions and performance improvement plans as necessary.




• Coordinates onboarding of new partners; sets up Epic/Beaker (Hospital Information/Lab Information System) access, keycard access, performs general lab orientation and basic Beaker training on all new hires.




• Assesses and promotes efficient utilization of systems, personnel and equipment.




• Assists with budgeting; obtains quotes for capital equipment, plans for staffing needs. Reviews monthly financial reports, investigates discrepancies and finds solutions to keep on target with fiscal year budget goals.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality

Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service

Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering

Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost

Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors or Associate degree in medical laboratory science or related field.




• Three to five years' experience in a lab leadership position.

Certification and Licensure

• ASCP certification preferred.

PAY RANGE:

$85,657.10 - $137,051.36

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision




• Life & Disability Insurance




• FSA/HSA Options




• Generous, accruing paid time off




• Paid Parental and caregiver leave




• Career advancement and educational opportunities




• Tuition and certification reimbursement




• Certification Reimbursement




• Well-being Programs




• Employee Discounts




• On-Demand Pay




• Financial Education




• Annual recognition/awards events




• Partner appreciation days




• Family entertainment/attractions discount




• Community service/improvement opportunities

At Mercyhealth, we don't simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50




• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers




• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women