Supervisor, Donor Testing Laboratory - 2nd Shift

Rhode Island Blood Center; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 87,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island Blood Center in Providence seeks a Supervisor for the Donor Testing Laboratory on the 2nd shift to lead a high‑complexity, CLIA‑regulated team. You will ensure SOP adherence, regulatory compliance, and accurate testing with timely reporting.

Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, staff development, and collaborative problem solving to meet quality and throughput goals while upholding organizational values and patient service excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science (CLS/MLS/MT) or related science with biology/chemistry credits.
• Minimum of four years in a high‑complexity laboratory.
• Lead or supervisory experience; donor testing lab experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the day‑to‑day operations and workflow; manage payroll approvals, scheduling and supply orders.
• Oversee testing processes to ensure accurate results and timely turnaround times.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and development; conduct staff meetings and evaluations.
• Assist in hiring and onboarding; maintain competency testing and records.

Skills

Leadership

Staff training

Quality control

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

MLS/CLS degree

Tools

LIS/BECS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Supervisor, Donor Testing Laboratory - 2nd Shift

Job Locations: US-RI-Providence

Responsibilities

Position Summary

• Operate the designated team in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA), and other applicable policies and quality initiatives.
• Provide excellent customer service and proactive client communications, maintaining strong relationships with internal and external customers.
• Supervise day‑to‑day personnel, operations, and workflow; engage staff through effective personnel management, training, development, and evaluation.
• Perform general management duties such as payroll approval, scheduling, and ordering supplies.
• Support and promote organizational goals, mission, and vision, contributing to a culture aligned with organizational values.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct pre‑analytic and analytic procedures, maintaining records of tests and reporting results in a high‑complexity laboratory.
• Perform only tests authorized by the CLIA laboratory director and requiring a skill level commensurate with the individual’s education, training, experience, and technical abilities.
• Maintain competency in donor testing functions, complete assigned proficiency testing, and follow GMP at all times with attention to detail.
• Review test results prior to release to meet expected turnaround time.
• Conduct and maintain in‑house competency testing, directly observing and evaluating testing personnel.
• Assist in training staff on new or revised donor testing assay procedures, equipment use, and maintenance procedures.
• Maintain training records for staff.
• Promote an engaged workforce through coaching, mentoring, and development; conduct regular staff meetings and weekly huddles.
• Develop performance evaluation standards, communicate evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Participate in hiring new staff with the Laboratory Director and Manager.
• Direct day‑to‑day operation and workflow, promoting efficient processes across all shifts; manage testing processes to ensure efficient use of reagents and adequate staff coverage.
• Ensure preventive/corrective actions are taken when staff, equipment, or test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Maintain inventory and order testing supplies efficiently and cost‑effectively.
• Troubleshoot equipment, schedule preventive maintenance, maintain spare parts inventory, and utilize service recovery responses as appropriate.
• Oversee laboratory inventory management processes for designated platforms, reviewing weekly inventory counts against par levels, performing lot changes, and placing ad‑hoc orders for supplies.
• Assist with validation plans and execution as needed.
• Ensure the department provides quality customer services to all clients; monitor production workflow to meet turnaround time requirements for internal and external customers; provide technical assistance for laboratory‑related issues.
• Coordinate communication during lab crises; initiate adverse testing event procedures and product recalls for critical testing errors.
• Provide on‑site, telephone, or electronic consultation to resolve technical problems.
• Approve PTO requests and perform payroll/time‑clock functions.
• Administer software systems that drive testing equipment.
• Act as backup for lab or testing–related tasks.
• Oversee temperature monitoring system along with other laboratory supervisors.
• Develop and implement new laboratory procedures and equipment following FDA and AABB practices.
• Revise existing procedures, protocols, and forms to maintain an accurate procedure manual.

Secondary Functions

• Promote a culture of safety, comply with all safety SOPs, and wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Stay current on blood center issues and read pertinent materials.
• Assist with CAPA and root‑cause investigations.
• Conduct effective coaching and corrective action meetings for persistent issues or trends.
• Participate in ongoing investigational studies of reagents, equipment, new methods, or clinical trials; assist in training on protocols for clinical trials and maintain regulatory binders.
• Participate in continuing education to meet national and state regulatory requirements and maintain staff records for good standing.
• Conduct educational tours of the laboratory.
• Follow applicable reentry protocols and coordinate supplemental testing.
• Work with Client Services to ensure follow‑up testing is scheduled as needed.
• Act as backup to other laboratory supervisors as needed.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science (CLS/MLS/MT) or Bachelor of Science in chemical or biological science with at least 6 credits of biology and 6 credits of chemistry, or BA in core sciences (approval depends on transcript review).
• Minimum of four years of experience in a high‑complexity laboratory.
• Lead or supervisory experience; donor testing laboratory experience preferred.

Required Licenses/Certification

• National Clinical Laboratory Certification (ASCP or equivalent).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of AABB, FDA, and OSHA regulations; working knowledge of Microsoft Suites and LIS/BECS.
• Comprehend and apply clinical laboratory procedures and theory.
• Working knowledge of institutional policies, confidentiality, and GMP (cGMP).
• Strong written and oral communication skills, computer input and retrieval.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and accurate transcription of numbers.
• Decision making and problem‑solving skills.
• Cultural competency and ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.
• Reliability and strong work ethic.
• Capable of working in team or independently, maintaining composure under pressure.
• Availability for irregular hours or overtime as required by departmental needs.

Schedule

• 5–8 hour shifts; Weekdays, 3:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; Weekends, 2:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; rotating weekends and holidays.

Compensation

Proposed annual rate: $87,000 to $97,000.

Overview

Founded in 1979, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) has served Rhode Island and the New England area for more than 45 years, delivering more than 90,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 50+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. RIBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and distributes one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals each year. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. RIBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health.