SENIOR LABORATORY MANAGER

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County Health in Chicago seeks a Senior Laboratory Manager to oversee technical services, validations, instrument implementations, and manage MLS department supervisors. This role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, manages daily operations, and leads quality assurance programs.

You will develop metrics, supervise staff, collaborate with contractors, and report to the Senior Laboratory Director, supporting clinical and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university.
• Board certification (AMT, ASCP) as generalist Medical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, or Doctorate Clinical Laboratory Scientist meeting standards according to CLIA.
• Three (3) years of clinical laboratory operations experience with at least two (2) years of supervisory level or above experience.
• Must be able to travel and work at Cook County Health (CCH) works sites to fulfill duties.

Responsibilities

• Manages complex laboratory operational projects; develops project plans, timelines, and implementation schedules to support departmental goals, priorities, and strategic objectives.
• Monitors communications, risks, safety concerns, test status reports, and other key indicators to ensure timely resolution and operational effectiveness.
• Reviews and maintains departmental procedures and policies.
• Develops, analyzes, and presents performance metrics, dashboards, and reports to track departmental progress, identify trends, support decision-making, and promote goal attainment.
• Coordinates and implements new tests, methods, and processes, ensuring effective documentation, communication, validation, regulatory compliance, and activity tracking.
• Leads multiple projects, initiatives, and teams simultaneously.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements process improvements and best practices to enhance workflow efficiency, productivity, quality, and service delivery.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with laboratory leadership, vendors, healthcare providers, administration, and other departments to support clinical and operational excellence.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement and patient-centered care by providing leadership, education, training, and operational support to laboratory personnel.
• Utilizes administrative and analytical skills to evaluate data, assess performance, and present recommendations for operational improvement.
• Provides instruction and guidance to laboratory personnel and promotes compliance using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology or other quality improvement tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develops and supports change management strategies to promote the acceptance, adaptation, and sustainability of new processes and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lab management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Quality assurance

Education

Master of Science degree

Board certification (AMT, ASCP)

Job description

If you have an issue completing your application, please call Taleo Support at 312-864-0430.

Job Description - SENIOR LABORATORY MANAGER (00139435)

Job Description

SENIOR LABORATORY MANAGER

Job Number:

00139435

Job Posting

: Sep 1, 2026, 7:10:58 PM

Closing Date

: Oct 2, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time : 9:00 A.M. Shift End Time : 5:00 P.M.

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on Cook County Health (CCH) policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at CCH. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

Department: Clinical & Anatomical Services - Administration Shift: 9:00am - 5:00pm *Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement. * Job Summary

The Senior Laboratory Manager is responsible for overseeing technical services such as validations, instrument implementations, and maintaining the management of Cook County Health’s (CCH) laboratory departments. This position supervises up to five Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) department supervisors and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, departmental scheduled task requirements, and daily operational responsibilities. Develops, implements, and monitors quality assurance programs for multiple laboratory departments, including the review of test results, reporting rules, and reference ranges. Investigates safety and quality concerns and ensures appropriate documentation, follow-up, and resolution Develops and presents quality and performance metrics, coordinates scientific staff, and collaborates with contractors and consultants, as needed. This position reports to the Senior Laboratory Director and works closely with Medical Section Chiefs, Division Chairs, and Scientific Consultants.

General Administrative Responsibilities

Collective Bargaining

Review applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and consult with Labor Relations to generate management proposals

Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, caucus discussions and working meetings

Document, recommend and effectuate discipline at all levels

Work closely with labor relations and/or labor counsel to effectuate and enforce applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements

Initiate, authorize and complete disciplinary action pursuant to CCH system rules, policies, procedures and provision of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Supervision

Direct and effectuate CCH management policies and practices

Access and proficiently navigate CCH records system to obtain and review information necessary to execute provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Management

Contribute to the management of CCH staff and CCH’ systemic development and success

Discuss and develop CCH system policies and procedures

General Administrative Responsibilities continue

Consistently use independent judgment to identify operational staffing issues and needs and perform the following functions as necessary; hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, direct or discipline employees pursuant to applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements

Work with Labor Relations to discern past practice when necessary

Typical Duties

Manages complex laboratory operational projects; develops project plans, timelines, and implementation schedules to support departmental goals, priorities, and strategic objectives.

Monitors communications, risks, safety concerns, test status reports, and other key indicators to ensure timely resolution and operational effectiveness.

Reviews and maintains departmental procedures and policies

Develops, analyzes, and presents performance metrics, dashboards, and reports to track departmental progress, identify trends, support decision-making, and promote goal attainment.

Coordinates and implements new tests, methods, and processes, ensuring effective documentation, communication, validation, regulatory compliance, and activity tracking.

Leads multiple projects, initiatives, and teams simultaneously

Identifies, recommends, and implements process improvements and best practices to enhance workflow efficiency, productivity, quality, and service delivery.

Collaborates and communicates effectively with laboratory leadership, vendors, healthcare providers, administration, and other departments to support clinical and operational excellence

Fosters a culture of continuous improvement and patient-centered care by providing leadership, education, training, and operational support to laboratory personnel.

Utilizes administrative and analytical skills to evaluate data, assess performance, and present recommendations for operational improvement.

Provides instruction and guidance to laboratory personnel and promotes compliance using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology or other quality improvement tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Develops and supports change management strategies to promote the acceptance, adaptation, and sustainability of new processes and initiatives.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university (Must provide official transcripts at time of interview).
• Board certification (AMT, ASCP) as generalist Medical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, or Doctorate Clinical Laboratory Scientist meeting standards according to CLIA 42 CFR ( Must provide proof at time of interview))
• Three (3) years of clinical laboratory operations experience with at least two (2) years of supervisory level or above experience is required.
• Must be able to travel and work at Cook County Health (CCH) works sites to fulfill duties is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate Clinical Laboratory Scientist (DCLS)

Diplomate of Laboratory Medicine (DLM)

Five (5) years of experience working in clinical laboratory departments that include Blood bank, Microbiology, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunology, Urinalysis, and Coagulation

Knowledge and experience as surveyor with College of American Pathology

Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP/CAPM), Lean, Six Sigma

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups

Knowledge and experience with hospital laboratory accreditation and regulatory requirements

Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws and regulations related to the healthcare industry

Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously

Ability to work effectively with clinicians, operational leaders, and administrative staff

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient related materials in compliance with HIPPA requirements

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must :

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position

Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note : If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11).

Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview. *

*Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal backgroundchecks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

If you have an issue completing your application, please call Taleo Support at 312-864-0430.