Director, Laboratory at Chadron Community Hospital, Corp. – Chadron, Nebraska

Eligible for up to $10,000 sign-on bonus!

Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (hours may vary), some benchwork and on-call during evenings and weekends may be required on a rotating basis.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the overall leadership and oversight of laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with CLIA and other regulatory requirements while maintaining high-quality patient care in collaboration with the Laboratory Medical Director. The Laboratory Director is accountable for the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of all testing, including high complexity testing, and ensures appropriate technical supervision and qualified staffing are in place.

In addition to technical duties, this position carries significant responsibility for the management and supervision of laboratory staff. This includes organizing work schedules, assigning duties, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring team members, and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and professional work environment

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for all laboratory operations, including administrative, clinical, and technical functions.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies, including CLIA, maintaining readiness for inspections at all times.

• Maintain ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of all laboratory test results.

• Ensure that Technical Supervisor responsibilities are appropriately assigned and fulfilled, and that individuals in those roles meet CLIA qualification requirements.

• Oversee and ensure the implementation of all CLIA-mandated policies, including quality systems, competency assessment, proficiency testing, and corrective action processes.

• Ensure all testing personnel meet CLIA qualification requirements and maintain ongoing competency.

• Direct and monitor the laboratory quality management program, including quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement activities.

• Review quality indicators, proficiency testing results, and corrective actions, ensuring issues are resolved in a timely and compliant manner.

• Oversee validation and implementation of new test methods, equipment, and procedures.

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and scheduling to support safe and effective laboratory operations.

• Lead staff performance management, including hiring, evaluations, coaching, disciplinary actions, and development planning.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure comprehensive onboarding, training, and competency programs are in place for all laboratory personnel.

• Serve as a liaison between the laboratory, medical staff, hospital leadership, and external partners.

• Collaborate with pathologists and providers to evaluate and implement new technologies and services.

• Ensure proper reporting and communication of laboratory results, including critical values.

• Ensure preventive maintenance, calibration, and function checks are performed and documented for all laboratory equipment.

• Participate in and lead laboratory-related regulatory surveys, audits, and inspections.

• Oversee laboratory budgeting, financial performance, and cost management, including variance analysis and capital planning.

• Actively participate in hospital-wide committees and interdepartmental initiatives, contributing laboratory expertise to support organizational goals.

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in managing variable workloads, shifting priorities, and emergent challenges in laboratory operations.

• Maintain open communication with staff, promote transparency, and encourage feedback to improve departmental culture and outcomes.

• Take responsibility for the design and ongoing evaluation of laboratory performance improvement strategies and policies.

EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Must meet or exceed CLIA requirements for Technical Supervisor for high complexity testing.
• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a chemical, physical, or biological science required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Certification as a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) by a recognized certifying agent or eligible for registry as a (MLS).

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a clinical laboratory performing high complexity testing required.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership, supervisory, or technical oversight experience required.
• Blood Bank Experience required

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL MOTOR SKILLS:

Ability to operate computer systems, talk in person on the telephone, hear in person and on the telephone, vision for close work, use of photocopier, fax machine, computer.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to interact appropriately and professionally with patients, clinic staff, physicians, hospital staff, and the general public.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to Lift 50 lbs . Requires setting, walking, standing, ability to be mobile, some bending, stooping, stretching and lifting, Requires eye and hand coordination and manual dexterity. Requires ability to move freely within the hospital setting to conduct job duties.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES:

Ability to process information and to effectively communicate with others.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY ABILITIES:

Must be able to visually receive and interpret nonverbal communications and to hear spoken communication with others.

EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS:

Limited exposure to chemicals.

FOLLOW THE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

• Integrity
• Compassion & Communication
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence
• Teamwork
• Safety