Manager of Lab Operations / MLS- Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital-Lakeland, FL

Orlando Health•Lakeland, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Section Operations Manager is responsible for monitoring laboratory operations on a daily basis to ensure quality levels of performance are maintained and compliance with applicable regulations. This role oversees options of the entire lab, including Core Lab and Pathology, for the new Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital opening Summer 2026. The Orlando Health System of Care is expanding its reach, and this position is part of the team shaping the future of healthcare in Polk County. The hospital will be a state-of-the-art, seven-story, multi-specialty hospital with over 300 inpatient beds, advanced surgical suites, and comprehensive specialized services.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of Laboratory Technology.
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
Completion of one year clinical laboratory training internship.
Medical Technologist (MT), Histotechnologist (HT) or Cytotechnologist (CT) by American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) registry or eligible.
Computer knowledge including Laboratory Information System (LIS), Hospital Information System (HIS), and personal computers.
Assumes the responsibility for professional growth and development and continuing education.
Current license as a Supervisor in the specialty/specialties required by the laboratory section in the State of Florida.
Certified by a professional laboratory-certifying agency, i.e. by the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) or eligible.
Five (5) years of Clinical Laboratory experience.
One (1) year of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Monitoring laboratory operations daily to ensure quality performance and compliance with regulations.
Ensuring enrollment and participation in appropriate proficiency programs for all services.
Maintaining an effective quality control program and taking corrective actions when necessary.
Overseeing staff planning and scheduling to meet service demands, ensuring qualified and licensed staff are scheduled.
Providing orientation and training to personnel, assessing and improving staff competence.
Encouraging staff self-development and learning, and practicing personnel management according to corporate guidelines.
Implementing and maintaining the performance management program for the laboratory.
Overseeing the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures for resource utilization, service standards, and regulatory compliance.
Assisting with planning and developing departmental operational goals.
Evaluating current and future technology within the laboratory, including assisting with requests for proposals and preparing justifications for new technology.
Recommending and overseeing the implementation of test methodology/instrument changes.
Preparing and maintaining capital and operational budgets, operating the department within budgetary constraints.
Ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources to meet or exceed financial budgets and reporting financial variances.
Implementing the laboratory performance improvement plan and ensuring departmental service monitors and services meet or exceed customer needs.
Adhering to corporate policy, procedures, value statements, Commitment to Excellence, Code of Conduct standards, and the Compliance Program.
Managing various human resources functions including hiring, work assignments, coaching plans, and performance counseling.
Maintaining reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
Maintaining compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.
Regularly interacting with Pathologists, Medical staff, laboratory employees, other department managers, and key laboratory customers regarding laboratory services.
Interacting with the Purchasing department in the negotiations of vendor contracts and cost containment measures.
Using process improvement indicator results, benchmark information, customer requirements, and team input to implement quality, service, and team relationship critical success factors.
Continually evaluating the laboratory and healthcare market and implementing necessary changes.
Practicing and overseeing safety and infection control practices.