Director, Laboratory at Chadron Community Hospital, Corp. – Chadron, Nebraska

Eligible for up to $10,000 sign-on bonus!

Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (hours may vary), some benchwork and on-call during evenings and weekends may be required on a rotating basis.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Laboratory, ensuring efficient workflow, regulatory compliance, and high-quality patient care. The role includes performing laboratory testing across all departments, including high complexity testing as defined by CLIA, and ensuring accuracy and reliability of results.

In addition to technical duties, this position carries significant responsibility for the management and supervision of laboratory staff. This includes organizing work schedules, assigning duties, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring team members, and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and professional work environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Provide leadership and oversight for all operations within the clinical laboratory, ensuring procedures are executed in accordance with established standards for accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Ensure full compliance with all regulatory and accrediting agencies necessary for laboratory certification and licensing, staying current with changes in requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with pathologists and technologists to disseminate information about new technologies, procedures, and equipment to medical staff and hospital leadership.
• Oversee daily operations and workflow of the technical staff, ensuring appropriate staffing levels, equitable scheduling, and consistent delivery of high-quality laboratory services.
• Lead staff performance management efforts, including evaluations, coaching, mentoring, and development of performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning among laboratory staff.
• Identify training and development needs, and ensure appropriate education and competency assessments are completed for all testing personnel.
• Develop and execute structured onboarding and orientation programs for new hires to support smooth integration and long-term success.
• Direct and monitor the laboratory’s quality control program, reviewing QC data regularly to ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations.
• Function as a technical expert and testing personnel when needed, performing complex analyses and ensuring consistent analytical accuracy and performance.
• Maintain proficiency in phlebotomy techniques, including venipuncture, capillary collections, and arterial blood draws.
• Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the laboratory’s performance improvement initiatives. Promote a culture of quality, safety, and innovation.
• Follow and enforce established corrective action protocols when test systems deviate from expected performance standards.
• Ensure abnormal results are identified, documented, and communicated per policy, with timely notification to the appropriate clinical team.
• Help with budget planning and oversight, investigating variances and implementing cost-effective strategies as needed. This may include submitting minor equipment or capital budget items as well as assessing variances throughout the year.
• Actively participate in hospital-wide committees and interdepartmental initiatives, contributing laboratory expertise to support organizational goals.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in managing variable workloads, shifting priorities, and emergent challenges in laboratory operations.
• Maintain open communication with staff, promote transparency, and encourage feedback to improve departmental culture and outcomes.
• Take responsibility for the design and ongoing evaluation of laboratory performance improvement strategies and policies.
• Take part in quality/safety/ infection control improvement initiatives projects by observing/reporting/engaging/resolving any concerns or issues.
• Complete annual required Relias education
• All other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science.
• Required to meet all personnel requirements for testing personnel and general supervisor under CLIA.
• Certification as a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) by a recognized certifying agent or eligible for registry as a (MLS).

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 4 years of high complex experience in the clinical laboratory field.
• Supervisor experience preferred.
• Blood Bank experience required.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL MOTOR SKILLS:

Ability to operate computer systems, talk in person on the telephone, hear in person and on the telephone, vision for close work, use of photocopier, fax machine, computer.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to interact appropriately and professionally with patients, clinic staff, physicians, hospital staff, and the general public.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to Lift 50 lbs . Requires setting, walking, standing, ability to be mobile, some bending, stooping, stretching and lifting, Requires eye and hand coordination and manual dexterity. Requires ability to move freely within the hospital setting to conduct job duties.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES:

Ability to process information and to effectively communicate with others.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY ABILITIES:

Must be able to visually receive and interpret nonverbal communications and to hear spoken communication with others.

EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS:

Limited exposure to chemicals.

FOLLOW THE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

• Integrity
• Compassion & Communication
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence
• Teamwork
• Safety