Laboratory Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lighthouse Lab Services seeks a Histology Lab Manager for a client located in the Silicon Valley of California.

About the Role

Reporting to senior laboratory leadership, the Laboratory Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the laboratory and supports the Laboratory Director in implementing and executing all CLIA-required tasks. This role oversees a team of laboratory and support staff across pre-analytical, histology, and customer service functions.

About the Client

Our client is a well-established, multi-site dermatology practice in the Silicon Valley, CA with a national footprint, known for its collaborative, team-oriented culture and commitment to quality patient care. The organization invests in employee growth from day one with hands-on training, clear advancement opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, generous PTO, and employee discounts on cosmetic services. If you're looking to grow your dermatology career in a people-first environment, this is the place to do it.

Essential Functions

• Ensure high quality product; work with pathologists and technicians to determine and resolve root cause of all quality issues
• Ensure turn-around-time metrics are met
• As needed, will work as a Histotechnician or Grossing Personnel (per qualifications and training) to support staff
• Collect necessary data for quality meetings, present data to Lab Director, take meeting minutes, schedule meetings, and maintain documentation
• Ensure all QA/QC is completed per SOP
• Ensure all training and competency is completed per SOP
• Ensure all equipment in the laboratory is properly maintained and functional
• Ensure all safety and regulatory requirements are met per CLIA and SOP
• Maintain inventory needed for operations of the laboratory; ensure expiration dates are monitored and expired materials are disposed of properly
• Complete daily compliance walk-throughs to ensure all staff are always following all protocols
• Maintain an ‘inspection-ready' laboratory at all times
• Collect and distribute control materials; prepare controls for IHC and special stains
• Serve as Safety Officer per laboratory SOP
• Maintain the QA Management Plan by performing the following tasks:
  • Annual Review of SOP: Confirm SOPs are reviewed on an annual basis and approved by the director
  • Annual Review of Laboratory Job Descriptions: Present job descriptions for all staff to the Laboratory Director for annual review
  • Training and Competency of Lab Personnel: Assess employee files monthly to confirm all training and competencies are complete and documented in the designated tracking system
  • Compliance Complaint Investigations: Receive, investigate, and resolve complaints through the compliance department
  • Confidentiality of PHI: Ensure all staff protect PHI and report breaches to compliance
  • Room Temperature, Room Humidity and Reagent Refrigerator Temperature: Confirm QC logs are completed daily, all variances are addressed, and logs are reviewed/signed by supervisor monthly
  • Expired Reagents: Confirm daily review of reagent expiration dates; ensure all expired reagents are removed from the laboratory
  • Reagent Labeling: Confirm daily review of reagent labeling; ensure all mislabeled reagents are corrected or removed
  • Safety — Air Quality Maintenance — HEPA Filters: Confirm filters are replaced monthly; maintain proof of service in air quality binder
  • Safety — Annual Air Quality Assessment: Confirm IAQ assessment is completed annually; maintain proof of service in air quality binder
  • Safety — Vapor Monitoring: Confirm vapor monitoring is completed annually; maintain proof in air quality binder
  • Twice Annual Testing Results: Review outcome of twice annual testing with Lab Director
  • Proper Specimen Labeling — Biopsy Site Locations: Ensure pre-analytical staff assesses each specimen for biopsy site accuracy and tracks all office requests to update body site locations
  • Proper Specimen Labeling — Labeling Errors: Ensure pre-analytical staff assesses each specimen for labeling and order accuracy
  • Proper Specimen Labeling — Specimens are not Switched: Ensure all cases are monitored throughout the histology process to assess for possible switched specimens
  • Test Order Communication: Assess accuracy of test orders with a monthly audit of 10 requisitions and review errors reported via laboratory incident reporting system
  • Grossing Documentation: Assess accuracy of grossing notes entered into LIS with a monthly audit of 10 requisitions
  • Histology Quality: Ensure pathologists assess each case for histology errors and report unacceptable findings
  • Accuracy and Availability of Corrected Reports: Run monthly LIS reports for corrected reports; confirm correct date/time stamps and that both final and corrected reports are in the patient's chart
  • Use of Amended Reports with Diagnostic Impact: Run monthly LIS reports for corrected reports and assess whether diagnosis was impacted between initial and corrected report
  • Report Transmission Accuracy: Assess a sample of SDG and reference laboratory reports monthly to confirm transmission accuracy to LIS
• Design and enforce efficient workflows to support laboratory safety and productivity metrics
• Maintain a clean and well-organized laboratory
• Schedule staff to meet laboratory requirements; anticipate volume trends and plan for growth with adequate staffing and equipment
• Monitor discrepancy trends and determine root cause; work with operations staff to minimize avoidable errors
• Follow all document management protocols when SOPs or training documents require editing/updating
• Other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary by the Lab Director

Minimum Basic Requirements

• Associate Degree required; Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Minimum two years of high-volume dermatopathology laboratory management required, along with two years of hands-on histology experience and demonstrated expertise in large-scale, high-volume specimen processing environments
• Proficiency in major staining and special staining techniques, with strong analytical skills to process slides under tight deadlines; ability to identify specimens requiring supervisory follow-up
• HT(ASCP), HTL(ASCP) certifications preferred but not required
• Strong IHC background, and deep customer service/provider experience

Shift, Salary, Benefits

• 1st shift M–F
• Salary $110–140K Depending on Experience
• Full Comprehensive Benefits

About Us

At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide, for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, Lighthouse Lab Services will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Lighthouse Lab Services | 800-838-0602 | lighthouselabservices.com

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