Clinical Laboratory Manager - Point of Care Testing

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the MD Anderson Cancer Center Point of Care Testing Laboratory team and lead a highly specialized operation that directly supports patient care within the operating room and perioperative environment. This leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced laboratory professional who combines strong clinical laboratory expertise with a passion for operational excellence, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and team development. The Clinical Laboratory Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Point of Care and OR laboratory operations, ensuring high-quality testing services, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and exceptional customer service. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for laboratory functions while partnering closely with physicians, nursing leadership, perioperative services, information technology teams, and other clinical stakeholders to support optimal patient outcomes and organizational goals. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience leading clinical laboratory operations, including quality management, regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, staff supervision, budgeting, and process improvement. Experience within Point of Care Testing, Core Laboratory, Chemistry, Critical Care Testing, or perioperative laboratory environments is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate expertise with CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and other regulatory requirements, along with a proven ability to successfully lead quality initiatives, laboratory validations, technology implementations, and operational improvements. This role is responsible for monitoring laboratory quality indicators, turnaround times, productivity metrics, and operational performance while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and institutional standards. The Laboratory Manager will lead continuous improvement initiatives, evaluate and implement new technologies and testing methodologies, support laboratory information system projects, and drive innovation to enhance patient care and operational effectiveness. As a people leader, the successful candidate will oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, staff development, succession planning, and retention strategies while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture. Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills are essential, as this position works closely with multidisciplinary clinical teams and serves as a key operational leader within the laboratory division. We are particularly interested in candidates with advanced scientific education, strong laboratory leadership experience, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex laboratory operations while balancing quality, compliance, financial stewardship, and employee engagement. Professional certification such as ASCP or equivalent is strongly preferred. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, you'll have the opportunity to lead a critical laboratory service that directly impacts patient care at one of the world's premier cancer centers.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a related science field or Molecular Genetic Technology OR Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program
8 years of clinical laboratory compliance and operations experience to include four years of supervisory or managerial experience OR 6 years of clinical laboratory compliance and operations experience to include four years of supervisory or managerial experience, with Master’s degree OR 4 years of clinical laboratory compliance and operations experience to include four years of supervisory or managerial experience, with Doctorate degree
Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience
2 years of clinical laboratory compliance and operations experience may be substituted for required certification
ASCP – American Society of Clinical Pathologist Technologist/Scientist/Specialist certification OR CHS – Certified Histocompatibility Specialist, American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR CHT – Certified Histocompatibility Technologist, American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR MDT – Molecular Diagnostics Tech, American Medical Technologists (AMT) OR MT – Medical Technologist, American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in a related science field
Doctorate in a related science field
Experience within Point of Care Testing, Core Laboratory, Chemistry, Critical Care Testing, or perioperative laboratory environments
Expertise with CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and other regulatory requirements
Proven ability to successfully lead quality initiatives, laboratory validations, technology implementations, and operational improvements
Advanced scientific education
Strong laboratory leadership experience
Demonstrated ability to manage complex laboratory operations while balancing quality, compliance, financial stewardship, and employee engagement
Professional certification such as ASCP or equivalent is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Monitor, evaluate, and improve quality, efficiency, and appropriateness of testing
Establish, review, and enforce quality control procedures and turnaround time standards
Recommend corrective actions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
Maintain expertise in technical procedures, systems, and regulatory standards
Integrate new technologies, equipment, and procedures into operations
Assure effectiveness of all procedures across assigned laboratory areas
Identify, evaluate, and monitor quality improvement indicators
Compile and present quality data for division CQI committee review
Ensure full compliance with clinical laboratory regulatory standards
Lead or participate in LIS and HIM-related initiatives and projects
Develop recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies to ensure appropriate staffing
Conduct structured interviews and evaluate candidates effectively
Orient, train, and evaluate staff in accordance with regulatory guidelines
Foster collaboration across departments and multidisciplinary teams
Build cohesive, goal-oriented teams with clear roles and accountability
Monitor attendance and adjust staffing schedules to maintain coverage
Develop and manage departmental budgets and financial plans
Monitor financial reports and respond to variances appropriately
Forecast expenses and maintain cost-effective operations
Reduce expenses through innovative personnel and resource strategies
Negotiate vendor contracts and oversee purchasing processes
Ensure efficient utilization of materials and staffing resources
Promote cross-training to improve flexibility and technical competency
Ensure proper inventory management aligned with workload demands
Monitor time management practices across staff
Support scheduling adjustments to maintain operational continuity
Perform additional duties as assigned