SUMMARY
The Lab Director is responsible for the overall management, direction, and oversight of all laboratory operations within Missouri Highlands Health Care. This includes ensuring compliance with CLIA and other regulatory standards, maintaining high-quality testing and reporting, and supervising laboratory staff. The Lab Director provides strategic leadership, oversees laboratory quality and performance, and ensures that laboratory operations support the mission and goals of Missouri Highlands Health Care.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide leadership and Supervision through oversight, training, mentorship, and evaluation of laboratory staff in clinics and laboratory sites.
Assist COO with departmental policies and procedures with review and updates as required.
Establish and implement Individualized Quality Control Plans (IQCP) when required. - Ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance for CLIA regulations and standards, including establishing and maintaining CLIA waivers for current and new lab facilities.
- Maintain all required laboratory records and documentation per CLIA and company standards
Oversee and maintain documentation of the laboratory’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) programs, including but not limited to proficiency testing, linearity studies, chart audits, LIS accuracy checks, pipette verification, and preventive maintenance logs. - Collaborate with Lab staff, Clinic Managers and Training & Development on monthly requirements for all QC data, proficiency testing results, maintenance logs, and QA tracking within clinics and laboratory facilities.
- Collaborate with Lab Manager for day-to-day laboratory operations, workflow, and staffing.
- Assist with credentialing and billing for new laboratory sites.
- Collaborate with process improvements and required billing and staff training pertaining to lab.
- Work collaboratively with medical, administrative, and technical personnel to ensure effective laboratory operations and quality patient care.
- Work collaboratively with medical, administrative, and technical personnel to ensure effective laboratory operations and quality patient care.
- Participate in organizational meetings and provide reports regarding laboratory performance, quality measures, and compliance status.
- Serve as the primary liaison between laboratory personnel, providers, and leadership.
- All other duties assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience (Minimum CLIA Requirements):
- Associate’s degree required.
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, strongly preferred; or
- 120 semester hours from an accredited institution, including:
- 12 hours of chemistry (including general and biochemistry or organic chemistry)
- 12 hours of biology (including general biology and molecular biology, cell biology, or genetics)
- 24 hours in any combination of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory science courses
- At least 2 years of laboratory training or experience in non-waived testing, strongly preferred.
- At least 2 years of supervisory laboratory experience in non-waived testing, strongly preferred.
- Completion of 20 continuing education credit hours in laboratory practice covering CLIA-defined director responsibilities (§493.1407), strongly preferred.
- BLS (Basic Life Support), required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- ASCP or equivalent certification.
- Experience managing multiple laboratory sites.
- Strong understanding of EMR and LIS systems.
Skills and Attributes:
- Strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Detail-oriented with commitment to accuracy and compliance.
- Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
- Motivated to serve patient and community health needs.
- Professional demeanor, good hygiene, and tactful interpersonal skills.