Mgr Laboratory(Microbiology/HLA/Flow/Cytogenetics and Molecular)-30902

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center is seeking a Laboratory Manager to lead the technical, financial, regulatory, and administrative operations of the laboratory. You will ensure high quality care, oversee testing accuracy, and supervise staff while collaborating with senior leadership including the AVP and Quality Director.

The role emphasizes strategic oversight, budget management, regulatory compliance, and cross-department coordination to maintain inspection readiness and efficient service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in MLS or equivalent BS in biology/healthcare required.
• At least five years in laboratory management or supervisory roles in healthcare.
• For Point of Care testing, two years leadership experience with nursing/physician leaders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical operations of the laboratory to ensure testing accuracy and quality.
• Manage financial aspects including budgets, variances, and cost controls.
• Ensure regulatory and accreditation readiness and compliance across labs.
• Provide administrative leadership across HR, hiring, compensation and performance.
• Coordinate with AVP, Quality Director, and department leadership on goals.
• Lead process improvement initiatives and maintain vendor relationships.

Education

Bachelor's degree in MLS or equivalent BS in Biology/healthcare

MBA/MPH/MS in MLS/Health Systems Management (preferred)

Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: RML Administration
Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)
Shift: Shift 1
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00AM - 4:00PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $45.59 - $66.16 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary

Manages the technical, financial, regulatory, accreditation, administrative and overall operation of the laboratory. This position requires teamwork to achieve common goals and meet deadlines to provide quality care to clients and patients. Demonstrates proficiency in identifying and resolving process issues that affect the laboratory's ability to perform laboratory testing. The Laboratory Manager works closely with the Associate Vice President, Chairman of Pathology, Quality Director, Administrative Director, Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers and supervisory staff. This position provides back-up for and acts as the Administrative Director in the Administrative Director's absence. For Point of Care Testing, works closely with Ambulatory and Inpatient Nursing Leadership and POCT testing personnel at the System Level. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures. Must adhere to the Rush code of Conduct and Rush ICARE values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, executing these values with compassion.

Other Information

• Bachelors of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) or equivalent BS in Biology or healthcare field is required;
• At least five years experience in a laboratory management or supervisory role, or another healthcare setting is required.
• For Point of Care testing, in addition to leadership experience, at least two years of experience overseeing testing outside of the laboratory working with nursing and physician leaders where testing is performed.
• Acceptable credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section):
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Blood Bank (BB) or Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) via the ASCP
• Chemistry (C) or Specialist in Chemistry (SC) via the ASCP
• Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP
• Cytotechnologist (CT) or Specialist in Cytology (SCT) via the ASCP
• Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologists (HLT) via ASCP
• Hematology (H) or Specialist in Hematology (SH) via the ASCP
• Microbiology (M) or Specialist in Microbiology (SM) via the ASCP
• Molecular Biology (MB) or Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) via the ASCP
• Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) via the ASCP
• Pathologists' Assistants (PA) via the ASCP
• Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology (DMLI) via the ASCP
• Diplomate in Laboratory Management (DLM) via the ASCP
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) via the ASCP (Only for Phlebotomy areas of oversight)
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) via the ASCP (Only for Phlebotomy areas of oversight)

Preferred

• M.B.A., M.P.H., Master's in Health Systems Management (HSM) or MS in MLS is highly desired. Certification as an MT or MLS(ASCP) is highly desired

Responsibilities

Technical

• Remains current in the technical advances, methodologies, and any new tests within the scope of their laboratory
• Oversees direct support for testing personnel including all human resource management and day to day operations
• Maintains proficiency in all of the medical center's computer applications.

Financial

• Oversees the financial aspects of the laboratory, including coordinating and preparing the capital and operational budgets
• Monitors and investigates monthly budget variances
• Prepares and reports internal and peer comparison financial and performance indicators
• Maintains the charge description master (CDM)
• Collaborates closely with the Laboratory Directors and Supervisors on current and future financial challenges
• Works closely with Finance to ensure that the proper billing, accounting, auditing, CPT coding, Medicare/Medicaid billing procedures and protocols are followed
• Meets with vendors to negotiate contracts for services and supplies
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of the contractual language negotiated in these contracts

Regulatory/Accreditation

• Ensures any identified regulatory or accreditation deficiencies are corrected in a timely and accurate manner
• Accountable for the preparation and maintenance of inspection readiness at all times
• Ensures all accreditation and regulatory standards are met

Administrative

• Provides guidance and oversight to ensure consistency across all the laboratories in hiring practices, compensation, promotions and disciplinary actions
• Represents the Department of Pathology/Rush Medical Laboratories on any RUMC, Rush Health, Rush System for Health or other appropriate committee, sub-committee or task force
• May be asked to serve as an instructor of Rush University
• May be asked to prepare and give lectures to the medical laboratory science students and/or pathology residents
• Maintains availability to mentor and advise students on specific projects or assignments

Operations

• Ensures smooth operation of the laboratory's testing, reporting and billing for the RUMC in- and outpatients and outreach clients.
• Conducts and participates in continuing education activities
• Conducts effective staff meetings on a regular basis
• Provides leadership to ensure excellent customer service
• Meets with customers and other departments as needed
• Addresses customer's concerns in a respectful and timely manner
• Works closely with the staff to ensure efficient and cost-effective service to customers
• Works closely with the AVP, Quality Director, Chairman of Pathology, Directors, other Laboratory Managers and supervisory staff in developing, modifying and monitoring the achievement of long-range goals and objectives for the Department of Pathology/Rush Medical Laboratories.

Process Improvement

• Provides leadership in executing process improvement. Proficient in the use of process improvement tools (e.g. Fishbone diagrams, Root Cause Analysis, Failure Mode Effect Analysis).
• Responds to Safety Events and compliant in a timely manner. Investigates and determines if the event is a person and system issue.
• Applies Just Culture algorithms when the event is determined to be a person issue.
• Encourages staff to identify areas for process improvement and submit Safety Events to document unsafe situations safe situations.

Communications

• Communicates well, both orally and in writing.
• Determines what information is important and what should be communicated, how, to whom, and when.
• Practices Emotional Intelligence when communicating with others.
• Able to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathically. Demonstrates the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions.

Additional Job Components

• Performs other reasonable, appropriate duties and responsibilities as assigned by the AVP, Laboratory, Quality Director, Chairman of Pathology or Administrative Director.
• The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.