What does a Laboratory Director do?
A Laboratory Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory. They examine data, create reports, manage the staff, and ensure that the lab facility operates in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the government and the organization.
Laboratory director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory director resumes:
- Perform and manage quality control, maintenance and calibration of all equipment in hematology, coagulation and urinalysis.
- Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
- Consult patients on various laboratory procedures involve in IVF.
- Supervise 8 managers and 130 full-time employees (FTEs).
- Focus on sterility, endotoxin, water and bioburden testing.
- Restore compliance integrity of lab back to full capacity in time for JCAHO inspection.
- Set goals direction and alignment of an ISO 17025 and NELAP certify contract service laboratory.
- Write deviation investigations, OOS, and CAPAs, including trend analysis of recurring incidences.
- Work very closely with brokers on FDA detentions and review packages for submission to the FDA.
- Perform internal audit of laboratory to assure compliance with strict NELAC requirements (ISO base).
- Reduce expenses by decreasing overtime, FTE attrition and adjusting standing orders ($ 234K save).
- Work with the business office to apply the proper modifiers to the CPT codes for correct billing.
- Perform high complexity PCR testing of human plasma for HCV, HBV, HIV and Parvo B19 viruses.
- Ensure proper OSHA procedures are followed by overseeing all sterile technicians and accurately training on OSHA and CHA policies.
- Set up programs in the laboratory LISS to eliminate common errors make in order entry by nursing and phlebotomy staff.
Laboratory director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Laboratory Directors are proficient in Clinical Laboratory, Patients, and Patient Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Designed and implemented policies and procedures, including Standard Operating Procedure Manual for drug testing and clinical laboratory.
- Patients, 10%
Supervised laboratory activities for oncology clinic with locations covering parts of three states, including educating patients and assisting with treatments.
- Patient Care, 9%
Create an efficient staffing model for ICU to meet targets for HPPD while ensuring safe quality patient care.
- CLIA, 6%
Supervised district laboratory operations for CLIA certification
- Test Results, 6%
Developed and implemented strategic initiatives with the objective of consistently producing accurate test results, maintaining clients, and increasing business.
- Laboratory Services, 4%
Provide reliable referral laboratory services to surrounding communities, referral lab coordinator for state specimens.
"clinical laboratory," "patients," and "patient care" are among the most common skills that laboratory directors use at work. You can find even more laboratory director responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a laboratory director to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical and health services managers review and evaluate healthcare metrics for ways to improve efficiency and meet goals." Additionally, a laboratory director resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "served as lis database coordinator for meditech lab/bb modules. "
Detail oriented. Many laboratory director duties rely on detail oriented. "medical and health services managers must pay attention to detail," so a laboratory director will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways laboratory director responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "review and manage laboratory results for final reporting, provide clients with detailed descriptions of testing methods and results as needed. "
Technical skills. This is an important skill for laboratory directors to perform their duties. For an example of how laboratory director responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "medical and health services managers must stay up to date with advances in healthcare technology, such as the coding and electronic health record (ehr) systems their facility adopts." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a laboratory director: "acted as the technical supervisor for microbiology. ".
Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a laboratory director to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what laboratory directors relies on this skill, since "medical and health services managers must convey information to their staff, other healthcare workers, and, sometimes, patients and insurance agents." How this skill relates to laboratory director duties can be seen in an example from a laboratory director resume snippet: "initiate and facilitate changes to improve patient care and satisfaction through effective communications, collaboration and interdisciplinary problem solving. "
Leadership skills. Lastly, "leadership skills" is an important element of what a laboratory director does. Laboratory director responsibilities require this skill because "medical and health services managers hire, train, and direct staff." This resume example highlights how laboratory director duties rely on this skill: "provide leadership for 1 direct reporting (managers) and 65 total fte's. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory directors are:
- Northwest Health86 laboratory directors jobs
- HealthTrust19 laboratory directors jobs
- Tenet Healthcare13 laboratory directors jobs
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Compare different laboratory directors
Laboratory director vs. Clinical manager
A clinical manager is responsible for monitoring medical procedures and administrative duties to ensure the smooth flow of operations in a healthcare facility. Clinical managers manage the facility's staffing needs, evaluate budget reports, assist healthcare professionals on administering medical duties, and develop strategic procedures to optimize treatments and maximize productivity. A clinical manager enforces strict sanitary and safety regulations for everyone's strict compliance. They also need to have excellent knowledge of the medical industry to promote medical processes and provide the highest quality care.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between laboratory directors and clinical manager. For instance, laboratory director responsibilities require skills such as "clinical laboratory," "patient care," "clia," and "test results." Whereas a clinical manager is skilled in "customer service," "home health," "direct patient care," and "quality patient care." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Clinical managers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $72,510. Comparatively, laboratory directors tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $111,230.On average, clinical managers reach similar levels of education than laboratory directors. Clinical managers are 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory director vs. Nurse manager
The primary role of nurse managers is to supervise the nursing staff in a clinical or hospital setting. They are the ones who are in charge of patient care, setting work schedules, and making budgetary and management decisions. They are also responsible for making personnel decisions, coordinating meetings, and creating safe environments that promote patient engagement and aid the healthcare team's work. Their role is vital in promoting a culture in which team members contribute to professional growth and patient outcomes.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real laboratory director resumes. While laboratory director responsibilities can utilize skills like "clinical laboratory," "patient care," "clia," and "test results," nurse managers use skills like "home health," "cpr," "customer service," and "performance improvement."
On average, nurse managers earn a lower salary than laboratory directors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, nurse managers earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $90,775. Whereas laboratory directors have higher pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $111,230.nurse managers earn similar levels of education than laboratory directors in general. They're 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory director vs. Pharmacist manager
A pharmacist manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of a pharmacy, ensuring that all pharmacy personnel provides the right medication to the customers based on the prescription. Pharmacist managers assist in advising the customers for the instructions of their medications, including its dosage and instructions of intake. They manage the inventory and keep safe and clean storage for the products at all times. A pharmacist manager must have a comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry, as well as excellent communication skills, especially in responding to the customers' concerns and inquiries.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from laboratory director resumes include skills like "clinical laboratory," "clia," "test results," and "laboratory services," whereas a pharmacist manager is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "compassion," "inventory management," and "federal laws. "
Pharmacist managers earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $100,580. Laboratory directors earn the highest pay from the media industry, with an average salary of $111,230.pharmacist managers typically earn lower educational levels compared to laboratory directors. Specifically, they're 11.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 21.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory director vs. Practice manager
A practice manager is responsible for supervising daily operations, especially on the side of the medical industry. Practice managers monitor staffing needs, train new employees, and evaluate the employees' productivity and performance. They also enforce strict guidelines and procedures, ensuring that the processes adhere to the legal standards and regulatory requirements. Practice managers also maintain budget goals, creating cost estimates and expense reports. A practice manager must have strong communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry practices.
Types of laboratory director
Updated January 8, 2025
