What is a Director Of Laboratory Services?

A director of laboratory services usually works for a hospital and manages both the in-house laboratory and any outpatient services that a hospital does. They make sure that laboratory work is returned quickly and that the whole operation runs smoothly.

Directors of laboratory services need to have excellent leadership skills to supervise a whole team of phlebotomists and lab technicians. They also need to be highly organized to handle the administrative work that comes with running a laboratory, such as creating a budget, updating procedure manuals, and evaluating performances. They may develop new policies that will help the lab run more efficiently.

Before becoming a director of laboratory services, a person needs considerable laboratory experience themselves. First, most directors get a master's degree in laboratory science, health care administration, or a similar field. They also need many years of professional experience, for example, by working as laboratory technologists and supervisors. It takes many years to become a director of laboratory services, but it pays off with an average annual salary of $103,262.