System Director, Lab Services - Full Time, Days

University of California, Irvine•Orange, CA

15d

About The Position

Position Summary: The System Director, Laboratory Services provides enterprise-level leadership for all clinical laboratory operations across UCI Health. The incumbent is accountable for the strategic direction, clinical quality, operational performance, and financial management of laboratory services systemwide, encompassing areas inclusive of clinical pathology, anatomic pathology, microbiology, hematology, chemistry, blood bank and transfusion services, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. This role leads the development of a centralized, system-wide laboratory service model to standardize operations across all sites, ensuring consistency of care delivery, operational efficiency, and scalability to support future growth. The System Director oversees the development and execution of systemwide laboratory strategies that advance diagnostic quality, patient safety, regulatory and accreditation compliance, and operational performance. The System Director partners with clinical, medical, and administrative leadership to drive service line optimization, capital and technology investment planning, laboratory information systems strategy, and workforce development, ensuring laboratory services are delivered in alignment with health system standards and organizational objectives. This position provides direct oversight to departmental managers and directors across all facilities, with accountability for performance outcomes and the financial integrity of laboratory operations.

Requirements

Strong organizational and leadership skills to solve complex issues.
Must interact and negotiate in a professional manner with a variety of highly influential entities, Senior Leadership, Health System and School of Medicine Leadership, partner medical groups, Faculty and staff.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to plan strategically
Must possess the skill, knowledge, and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties
Minimum 8 years’ experience of progressive management responsibility
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an executive leadership role (Director or higher) in a related setting
Minimum 5-7 years managerial experience in a medium to large size diagnostic laboratory facility to include management experience in a multi-programmatic and multidisciplinary work environment involving areas such as research, teaching, and patient care
Financial management and analysis skills consistent with budgetary responsibilities
Excellent written and verbal communications skills necessary to communicate complex material
Demonstrated experience with financial management including budget and report preparation, analysis and forecasting Demonstrated ability, using critical thinking skills, to effectively lead, manage, supervise and strategically plan administrative and fiscal operations
Demonstrated ability to effectively administer and manage complex department operations and programs based on analysis, judgment and knowledge of applicable government, institutional and other policies and regulations in an academic environment
Bachelor’s degree in science or healthcare related field
Ability to read and correctly interpret complex regulations, contracts and policies
Ability to persuade or influence people to take appropriate action
Ability to manage staff and resources consistent with goals, and in keeping the organizational vision and values. Ability to delegate and empower staff and build strong employee morale
Ability to interact and communicate effectively to build trust and establish effective working relationships within the department, across the organization and with a wide variety of audiences
Ability to build, attract and develop a strong management team by demonstrating and setting high standards of behavior, performance, quality, credibility and integrity
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree, or enrollment in a program within the first year of hire
Familiarity with service agreements and medical group reimbursement policies
Experience working with community based pathology group practices
Experience with current health care credentialing and ability to interpret new policies for Medicare, Medi-Cal and other third party carriers
Experience with clinical operations in order to maximize charge capture
Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP)Mor Certification in Anatomic Pathology or CA CLS license
Advanced management/leadership experience in an academic healthcare environment