Assistant Lab Manager - North Liberty Pathology
About The Position
The Assistant Lab Manager ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the MCNL laboratory by supervising assigned personnel, performing administrative functions, overseeing technical and operational functions, and carrying out other assigned tasks. The role provides clinical, technical, managerial, and developmental leadership to laboratory staff and works collaboratively with medical directors, laboratory supervisors, technologists, and other personnel to support timely service delivery, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The Assistant Lab Manager oversees laboratory testing capabilities, automation, instrumentation, staffing, scheduling, quality, safety, regulatory compliance, inventory, and supply management. The position contributes to strategic and capital planning, supports recruitment and staff development, participates in laboratory procedure development, and coordinates with other University of Iowa Health Care departments and services. The position is located at North Liberty Hospital and has hours of 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in laboratory or health care supervision.
- 3–5 years of experience working directly in laboratory or health care operations.
- Certification eligibility as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or specialist certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.
- Reasonable knowledge of quality assurance and human resources activities.
- Proficiency in computer software applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Business Administration or Hospital and Health Administration, or an equivalent combination of education or experience.
- Experience working in an academic health center.
- Knowledge of laboratory information systems (LIS).
- Experience with automated laboratory instrumentation.
- Experience overseeing or performing moderate- and/or high-complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and/or tissue bank.
Responsibilities
- Provide clinical, technical, managerial, and developmental leadership to staff, including mentoring, coaching, communicating policy and procedure changes, and supporting compliance.
- Help maintain laboratory productivity and quality; recommend corrective actions, write and evaluate Variances, enter Riskonnect events as needed, and occasionally assist with bench-level or supporting tasks during urgent needs.
- Collaborate with colleagues across University of Iowa Health Care and help the laboratory team adapt to changes in the hospital environment.
- Oversee laboratory automation and instrumentation, evaluate and recommend new instruments, troubleshoot issues, and write and oversee instrument validation protocols.
- Provide financial background, rationale, and laboratory-specific analysis to support capital planning requests.
- Oversee testing capabilities to ensure timely, accurate, and effective testing; coordinate appropriate sample transfers with Emery Warner Clinical Laboratories and evaluate courier routes and times.
- Ensure accurate and complete billing for testing, services, blood products, and tissue products.
- Establish, evaluate, and maintain staffing and scheduling systems; develop schedules, enter them in ELMS, approve time-off requests while maintaining adequate staffing, and perform timekeeping and scheduling activities.
- Assist with short- and long-term laboratory strategic planning in consultation with medical and departmental leadership.
- Assess, develop, and maintain regulatory compliance with designated Pathology Quality Management Team staff; maintain regulatory and accreditation knowledge, assist with validation protocols and proficiency testing, and ensure staff follow safety requirements.
- Assist with recruitment, orientation, training, and supervision of technical and support staff; participate in interviews, recommend candidates, address performance gaps in consultation with the Laboratory Manager and Human Resources, oversee competency programs, and complete annual performance appraisals with lead technologists.
- Evaluate laboratory renovation and design activities in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and Director.
- Participate in inventory and supply management; maintain appropriate laboratory supply and reagent inventory systems, blood component levels, and tissue inventory, including special-order tissues in conjunction with the main hospital Tissue Bank.
- Work with the laboratory Clerk to renew annual maintenance and service contracts on time.
- Participate in the review, update, and development of written procedures.
- Provide evaluative feedback to students and work with clinical instructors and educators to facilitate clinical education.
- Perform other assigned projects and tasks.
- Demonstrate effective written, electronic, and verbal communication.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
