Director, Laboratory and Respiratory Therapy

Vail Health•Edwards, CO

48d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Director is responsible for the strategic oversight and operational management of all laboratory and respiratory services within the Vail Health system. This includes ensuring the highest standards of quality, accuracy, compliance, and patient safety across hospital, outpatient (CMM), and affiliate settings. The Director will provide unified clinical and operational oversight for all laboratory services, supporting a cohesive system-level approach that aligns with organizational strategy, financial goals, and patient experience expectations for all.

Requirements

Five (5) years of experience in a highly complex laboratory required
Five (5) years of experience as a Laboratory Leader required
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) OR Medical Technologist (MT) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) preferred.
Bachelor's degree related.

Nice To Haves

One (1) year of operational oversight respiratory therapy preferred
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) OR Medical Technologist (MT) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) preferred.
Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads and supports the laboratory and respiratory managers and supervisors in an operational leadership role to ensure proper staffing, training, and professional development for laboratory personnel. Assists the supervisors in conducting performance evaluations, sets goals, and overseeing staff development programs.
Supports supervisors in oversight of daily laboratory and respiratory operations across multiple shifts and locations, ensuring accurate and timely specimen collection, processing, testing, results, and delivery of patient care. Leads departmental strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives. Manages the development and implementation of new procedures, instrumentation, and technologies with dyad partners and direct reports. Works with other departments to ensure that laboratory and respiratory care services are seamlessly integrated into the broader patient care process. Participates in committees and special projects.
Serves as a resource for resolving issues related to physician orders, test results, and procedural discrepancies. Coordinates with reference labs and couriers for specimen handling.
Manages laboratory and respiratory budgets, billing, supplies, and resources to ensure that care/services are provided at the most desirable cost to meet fiscal targets. Provides oversight of them to ensure proper equipment maintenance and the implementation of new technologies.
Manages complex change processes and supporting system innovation.
Serves as a change agent for integrating with Colorado Mountain Medical laboratory operations and EPIC workflows, process automation, and advanced analytics. Champions standardization and shared governance across hospital and outpatient settings.
Ensures laboratory compliance with all applicable state, federal, and accreditation agency standards (e.g., CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission). Prepares for and participates in regulatory inspections and audits. Implements - and supports the supervisor in enforcing - laboratory policies and procedures.
Develops and maintains a culture of teamwork, excellence, and professionalism and works with other departments to ensure coordination and continuous improvement of patient care services.
Develops, implements and maintains quality control and quality assurance programs to ensure the reliability of laboratory results and patient safety. Enhances patient experience through improved access, turnaround times, and continuity of care.
Aligns laboratory operations with Vail Health's broader population health and value-based care initiatives.
Role models principles of Relationship-Based Care.

Benefits

Competitive wages
Parental leave (4 weeks paid)
Housing programs
Childcare reimbursement
Medical
Dental
Vision
Tuition Assistance
Existing Student Loan Repayment
Specialty Certification Reimbursement
Annual Supplemental Educational Funds
Up to five weeks in your first year of employment and continues to grow each year.
403(b) Retirement plan with immediate matching
Life insurance
Short and long-term disability
Up to $1,000 annual wellbeing reimbursement
Recreation discounts
Pet insurance