Laboratory Manager

West River Health Services is a mission-driven Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinic serving the residents of southwestern North Dakota. Guided by our core values of Excellence, Innovation, Compassion, and Respect, we're committed to providing the kind of quality health care typically found in larger cities, delivered with small-town friendliness and individual care. We believe our employees are the foundation of that commitment, working together to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees staffing for the Laboratory Department, including recruitment, interviewing, selection, hiring, orientation, onboarding, and training of laboratory personnel.

• Manages department supply purchasing and evaluates, researches, and recommends laboratory equipment and technology.

• Ensures compliance with professional licensing and credentialing requirements for laboratory personnel.

• Serves as the Laboratory Director for satellite clinic laboratories in Mott, Bowman, Scranton, New England, and Lemmon.

• Prepares and manages departmental capital and operating budgets.

• Identifies staff training needs and ensures testing personnel receive regular in-service education and training.

• Evaluates and documents the competency of all testing personnel on an ongoing basis in accordance with regulatory and laboratory requirements.

• Oversees payroll records, employee work schedules, timesheets, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions.

• Maintains and oversees the Laboratory Information System (LIS) and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) program.

• Selects appropriate test methodologies based on the clinical use and intended application of the laboratory test menu.

• Verifies testing procedures and establishes laboratory performance specifications, including accuracy and precision requirements for each test and test system.

• Identifies and resolves technical problems and ensures appropriate corrective actions are implemented whenever test systems deviate from established performance specifications.

• Ensures patient test results are not reported until required corrective actions have been completed and the test system is functioning properly.

• Enrolls the laboratory in approved Proficiency Testing (PT) programs appropriate to the services and testing performed.

• Establishes, implements, and maintains quality improvement and quality control programs within the department to ensure the quality, accuracy, and reliability of laboratory services.

• Maintains professional growth and development, demonstrates effective leadership, and promotes a culture of quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laboratory regulations, standards, policies, and best practices and ensures departmental compliance.

• Is trained and qualified as testing personnel and is able to perform laboratory bench testing as needed.

• Provides hands-on bench coverage as necessary to maintain adequate staffing and uninterrupted laboratory operations.

• Takes laboratory calls and provides clinical and technical support as needed.

• Maintains flexibility to provide coverage during holidays, weekends, or other non-routine hours when necessary, particularly during staffing shortages or to support continuous laboratory operations.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned to ensure the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the Laboratory Department.

• Education: Must have a B.S. degree in Medical Technology / CLS / MLS

• Experience: 6 years of laboratory experience as a Medical Technologist required. Previous lab management is preferred

• License Requirements: Registered Medical Technologist by American Society of Clinical Pathologist or Equivalent (MT,CLS,MLS), Licensed by the North Dakota Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice, Meet CLIA requirements for Laboratory Director of Clinic Laboratories

Regular working hours 8AM-5PM. This position also requires flexibility to work at the bench, take calls, and provide coverage during holidays or weekends as needed; particularly during staffing shortages or to support continuous laboratory operations.

West River Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.