Medical Laboratory Director

MLM Medical Labs; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

A clinical laboratory in Tennessee seeks a Part-Time Laboratory Director to oversee operations and ensure compliance with CAP and CLIA standards. Responsibilities include regulatory oversight, quality management, and supporting clinical leadership. Candidates must possess an MD/DO with a Tennessee medical license or a PhD in laboratory science, along with relevant board certification. Experience in CAP-accredited laboratories is essential. This position allows for remote work as needed, with a commitment of approximately 4 hours per week.

Qualifications

• MD/DO with a current Tennessee medical license or a PhD in laboratory science.
• Must meet CLIA qualifications for high-complexity laboratory director.
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience overseeing a CAP-accredited laboratory.
• Board certification by ABP, ABMM, ABB, NRCC, or equivalent
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience overseeing a CAP-accredited laboratory.
• Demonstrated understanding of Tennessee laboratory rules and CAP/CLIA standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory operations ensuring compliance with CAP and CLIA standards.
• Lead maintenance of CAP accreditation and readiness for inspections.
• Supervise technical personnel and ensure all staff are licensed.
• Ensure compliance with Tennessee Rule Chapter 1200-06-01 for personnel, records, and quality.
• Lead CAP accreditation readiness and biannual inspections.
• Review and sign proficiency testing results and remediate deficiencies.
• Oversee QMS, review QC/QA metrics, incident reports, and CAPA plans.
• Monitor performance indicators and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide final approval of test methods and high-complexity assays.
• Ensure clinical validity of test menu.
• Supervise technical staff and support troubleshooting and training.
• Review and authorize SOPs and validation reports.
• Ensure all technical staff are licensed by Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board.
• Approve qualifications, competency assessments, and training programs.
• Serve as mentor and consultative resource for supervisors and clinical teams.
• Collaborate with executive/scientific leadership on strategy and service expansion.
• Provide medical/scientific input for decisions.
• Be available for urgent consults, regulatory reviews, or inspection prep.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Quality Management

Laboratory Operations

Clinical Leadership

Education

MD/DO with Tennessee medical license or PhD in laboratory science

Board certification from relevant body

Tools

Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

Quality Management System (QMS)

Job description

Job Title: Part-Time Laboratory Director

Location: Memphis, Tennessee (Remote and/or On-Site as Required)

Schedule: approx. 4 hours per week

Position Summary

The Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing all operations of a CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified clinical laboratory located in the state of Tennessee. This part-time role ensures the laboratory maintains full compliance with CAP accreditation, federal CLIA regulations, and Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Licensure and Regulation standards. The director provides strategic, clinical, and regulatory leadership, supporting both scientific integrity and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Licensure

• Ensure compliance with Tennessee-specific laboratory licensure requirements, CAP, and CLIA standards.
• Maintain the laboratory’s state licensure and assist with state inspections and audits.
• Oversee validation and verification of test methods in accordance with Tennessee laboratory regulations.
• Ensure compliance with Tennessee Rule Chapter 1200-06-01 regarding laboratory personnel, records, and quality.

Quality & Accreditation

• Lead efforts to maintain CAP accreditation and ensure readiness for biannual inspections.
• Review and sign off on proficiency testing results and ensure timely remediation of deficiencies.
• Oversee the laboratory's Quality Management System (QMS), including review of QC/QA metrics, incident reports, and CAPA plans.
• Monitor laboratory performance indicators and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical & Operational Oversight

• Provide final approval of test methods, including high-complexity assays and instrumentation.
• Ensure clinical validity and appropriateness of the test menu.
• Supervise technical personnel and provide support for troubleshooting, workflow optimization, and training.
• Review and authorize laboratory SOPs and validation reports.
• Ensure all technical staff are properly licensed by the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board.
• Approve personnel qualifications, ongoing competency assessments, and training programs.
• Serve as a mentor and consultative resource for laboratory supervisors and clinical teams.

Strategic & Clinical Leadership

• Collaborate with executive and scientific leadership on laboratory strategy and service expansion.
• Provide medical/scientific input for clinical and operational decision-making.
• Be accessible for urgent consults, regulatory reviews, or inspection preparation as needed.

Qualifications

• MD/DO with current Tennessee medical license or PhD in a laboratory science with appropriate national board certification.
• Must meet CLIA qualifications for high-complexity laboratory director (42 CFR § 493.1443).
• Licensed Laboratory Director in Tennessee or eligible for licensure through the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board.
• Board certification by one of the following:
• American Board of Pathology (ABP)
• American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM)
• American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB)
• National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC)
• Or equivalent recognized body
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience overseeing a CAP-accredited laboratory.
• Demonstrated understanding of Tennessee laboratory rules and CAP/CLIA standards.

Schedule & Time Commitment

• Remote work possible, with on-site presence as required for compliance and inspections
• Must be available for annual reviews, inspection preparation, and emergency consults

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with molecular diagnostics, toxicology, clinical chemistry, or infectious disease testing
• Prior involvement in CAP inspections (team member or hosting lab)
• Experience with laboratory information systems (LIS), QMS tools, and digital compliance platforms
• New York State license with experience gaining Department of Health accreditation
• Experience with medical interpretation of diagnostic flow cytometry results