System Director of Laboratory and Pathology in Boone, North Carolina at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

System Director of Laboratory and Pathology

Location: Boone, North Carolina | Full-Time | Executive Leadership

Why You'll Love Working Here

As the System Director of Laboratory and Pathology at UNC Health Appalachian, you'll provide strategic leadership for laboratory and pathology services across our health system. You'll partner with physicians, pathologists, executive leaders, and clinical teams to ensure exceptional patient care, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and innovation in laboratory services. This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing team while shaping the future of laboratory medicine for the High Country.

Compensation: Competitive director salary based on education and experience.

Schedule: Full-time leadership position. Availability to support operational needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and emergencies.

Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement with employer match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, wellness incentives, leadership development opportunities, and employee discounts.

What You'll Do as the System Director of Laboratory and Pathology
Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for laboratory and pathology services across hospitals, outpatient laboratories, physician practices, and other testing locations.
Lead laboratory operations with responsibility for quality, safety, regulatory compliance, financial performance, workforce engagement, and operational excellence.
Collaborate with Pathologists, Medical Directors, physicians, nursing, executive leadership, Finance, Information Technology, and other departments to standardize laboratory practices and improve patient outcomes.
Oversee laboratory quality management, accreditation readiness, CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements.
Direct budgeting, capital planning, laboratory information systems, instrumentation, automation, staffing, productivity, and technology implementation.
Foster a culture of accountability, employee engagement, succession planning, leadership development, and continuous improvement.
Promote exceptional patient experiences through service excellence, quality initiatives, and patient-centered laboratory operations.
Demonstrate the Mission, Vision, Values, and Standards of Behavior of UNC Health Appalachian while serving as a trusted organizational leader.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience) required.

Experience

• Five or more years of progressive healthcare leadership experience within a hospital or health system.
• Demonstrated experience leading laboratory operations, including financial management, strategic planning, workforce leadership, regulatory compliance, and operational oversight across multiple clinical areas.
• Licenses & Certifications
• Licensed Medical Technologist in North Carolina.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required upon hire.

Skills & Abilities

• Executive leadership and strategic planning
• Financial and operational management
• Regulatory and accreditation expertise (CLIA, CAP, CMS, Joint Commission, OSHA)
• Talent development, coaching, and succession planning
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
• Change management and continuous process improvement
• Project management and organizational leadership
• Critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving
• Ability to build high-performing teams and drive organizational results

Physical & Work Environment

• Primarily office and healthcare environment with frequent travel between laboratory locations.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and computer work.
• Occasional lifting, bending, reaching, and movement throughout laboratory and hospital environments.
• May be exposed to laboratory specimens, bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, and hospital-related hazards.
• May work evenings, weekends, holidays, or respond to operational emergencies as needed.

What Sets Us Apart

• Lead System-Wide Impact: Shape the future of laboratory and pathology services across an integrated regional health system.
• Innovative Environment: Lead strategic initiatives involving automation, technology, quality improvement, and operational transformation.
• Career Growth: Join an organization committed to leadership development, continuous learning, and professional advancement.
• Community & Lifestyle: Boone offers an exceptional quality of life with year-round outdoor recreation, vibrant local culture, and one of the most desirable mountain communities in North Carolina.
• Inclusive Culture: We value collaboration, diversity, innovation, and respect—creating an environment where leaders and team members thrive.
• Ready to Lead Laboratory Excellence?
• Apply today to join UNC Health Appalachian and help advance safe, high-quality laboratory services that make a lasting difference for our patients, providers, and communities.
• About UNC Health Appalachian
• UNC Health Appalachian, the leader in High Country healthcare, consists of three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. We are committed to improving health, enhancing quality of life, and making life better for our community.
• About UNC Health
• UNC Health is a state entity affiliated with the University of North Carolina system, operating 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses, and more than 500 clinics across North Carolina.
• UNC Health Appalachian values diversity and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.
• Employment with UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. For accommodations or additional information, please contact arhsrecruitment@unchealth.unc.edu.