Supervisor, Pre-Analytical Laboratory

Abbott Laboratories; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent retirement plan

Great place to work recognition

Diversity and inclusion focus

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Redwood City, CA is seeking a Supervisor for the Pre-Analytical Laboratory to oversee day-to-day operations, coordinate workflow, and lead a team of accessioning staff. You will ensure quality, train staff, and collaborate with IT, Quality, Customer Service, and other cross-functional teams.

The role involves bench work 20–30% of the time, coaching, performance reviews, and contributing to procedures that support regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with 4 years’ laboratory or related experience; or
• Associate degree with 3 years’ experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years’ experience; supervisory experience preferred.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Pre-Analytical (Accessioning) department.
• Perform bench work 20–30% of the time (sample receipt, order entry, specimen prep).
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety procedures and HIPAA regulations.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and career development discussions.
• Coordinate staff training and monitor productivity and quality metrics.
• Lead audits and contribute to process improvements and docs.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Lab operations

HIPAA knowledge

Quality compliance

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

HS diploma or GED with experience

Associates degree in science or related field

Bachelor’s degree in science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Job description

Working atAbbott

AtAbbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Position Overview

The Supervisor, Pre-Analytical Laboratory is responsible for supervision of team members and daily operations of the Pre-Analytical (Accessioning) department including, but not limited to, specimen box receipt process, test order processing, sample processing, material return and management of associated documents and records. They serve as a liaison between Accessioning and various functional groups including, but not limited to Histology, Customer Service, Analytical Laboratory, Process and Service Engineering, Information Technology, Human Resources, Quality, Supply Chain Management and Workplace Services groups to report and address immediate issues or concerns. They are also responsible for coordinating or leading the laboratory workflow and scheduling, troubleshooting high complexity technical and non-technical problems, building an effective team, managing projects and deliverables. Finally, they will participate in the development and administration of policies and procedures, contribute to contours process improvement to ensure consistent, high-quality process and best practices, and will support and participate in internal and external audits and quality management activity to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Shift: Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00AM-5:30 PM

Essential Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage the daily operations of the pre-analytical laboratory department and ensure that all activities within department are performed and documented according to the established policies and procedures and aligned with the corporate goals.
• Perform bench work 20-30% of the time, for example sample receipt, order entry and specimen preparation, sample collection, and other lab activities as directed by Laboratory Manager.
• Follow and assess established Health and Safety procedures. Adhere and perform risk assessments. As well as understand, train, and enforce safety regulations.
• Maintain strong knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
• Meet at least monthly with direct reports. Provide coaching and constructive feedback, and career development discussions.
• Write and deliver quarterly/year end feedback and build a positive team environment.
• Provide evaluation of new process improvements and make appropriate recommendations based on through evaluation of operational, quality and efficiency impact.
• Coordinate staff training in partnership with dedicated trainers.
• Coordinate and/or monitor laboratory workflow to maintain accountability for staff productivity and other quality measures.
• Maintain operations by monitoring staff workload, adjusting schedules as needed, monitors, and maintains productivity standards and identifies opportunity for efficiency gain and quality improvements.
• Participate in the development, refinement and implementation of documents that affect the department.
• Establish, review, and implement training plans and checklists to ensure compliance to corporate policies and procedures.
• Troubleshoot sample, system and process issues raised by staff, customers, or others.
• Collaborate with IT, Engineers, and other cross-functional team to identify and resolve on-going process or system issues. Support corporate or customer-experience improvement projects by providing ideas, business requirements or end-user feedback as assigned, by supporting troubleshooting, end-user testing or task execution, as assigned.
• Collaborate closely within Lab Operations, Quality and Customer Service to improve process efficiency and ensure that each specimen is properly processed to sustain operations and maximize resource utilization.
• Represent the Accessioning department in cross-functional teams, as assigned.
• Participate and manage the interview, selection, hiring and on-boarding of new staff.
• Responsible for coaching, mentoring, disciplining, and training of department personnel, conducting 1:1’s and fostering an environment of open communication, partnering with staff to create and execute personal development plans.
• Provide timely feedback to staff, manage staff performance, write, and deliver annual staff performance reviews.
• Communicate goals clearly to employees to ensure understanding and success in achieving them.
• Motivate and inspire employees to do their best work through coaching.
• Maintain morale and support employee engagement initiatives.
• Communicate timely and regularly to management, stakeholders, and staff to ensure effective change management and address potential issues in advance.
• Participate in and/or assist with the preparation of internal and external audits and inspections.
• Review and maintain personnel files and department records in compliance with Quality Management System, applicable regulatory requirements such as CLIA, NY-CLIA, CAP, ISO standards and others.
• Strong communicator with ability to maintain open communication with internal employees, managers and customers as needed.
• Able to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner.
• Able to prioritize and drive to results with a high emphasis on quality.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Recognized by others, internally and externally, for strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent listening, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adapt to changes and identify ways to achieve goals.
• Self-directed, result oriented, able to operate independently.
• Ability and desire to thrive in a high-pressure, data-driven, and highly regulated work environment.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for at least 50% of a typical working day.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to use a telephone through a headset. Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements. Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary. Some lifting (greater than 25 pounds) may be necessary.
• May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
• Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
• Use of various chemicals may be used to perform duties.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials and tissue, blood, and other body fluid samples.
• Ability to comply with any applicable PPE requirements.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED), plus 4 years’ experience working in a laboratory or similar environment (i.e., Medical Data Entry, maintaining sample integrity following procedures and protocols, etc). Or
• Associates Degree in Science, health science, or related field, plus 3 years’ experience working in a laboratory or similar environment (i.e., Medical Data Entry, maintaining sample integrity following procedures and protocols, etc). Or
• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Health Science, or related field, plus 2 years’ experience working in a laboratory or similar environment (i.e., Medical Data Entry, maintaining sample integrity following procedures and protocols, etc). Previous supervisory experience or experience leading people or projects.
• Experience leading projects and/or project teams.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track or record of managing schedules.
• Professional working knowledge with using laboratory information management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to write and update procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GDP, CAP, CLIA and NY.
• Experience in a high-volume clinical pathology laboratory operation.
• Demonstrate understanding of medical terminology, laboratory terminology and medical billing.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Applicable portions of the Company’s affirmative action program are available to any applicant or employee for inspection upon request.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

https://abbottbenefits.com/

Follow your career aspirations toAbbottfor diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life.Abbottis an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at abbott.com,on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, andon Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers.

The base pay for this position is $90,000.00 – $180,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.