Operations Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations - Clinical Laboratory Administration - Tri State Area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) - Full Time/Day Shift

Description

The Director will drive achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs), maintain effective staffing models, and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accreditation requirements. This role requires a strong operational leader who can foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, customer service, and employee engagement while supporting the laboratory's strategic and financial objectives.

Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Performance Management

• Direct and oversee all aspects of laboratory operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of laboratory services.
• Establish, monitor, and achieve operational key performance indicators (KPIs), including turnaround time (TAT), productivity, quality metrics, customer satisfaction, specimen integrity, and financial performance.
• Utilize performance dashboards and data analytics to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Implement process improvement initiatives and Lean methodologies to optimize workflow and enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and execute action plans to address performance gaps and ensure service level commitments are consistently achieved.
• Partner with laboratory leadership, physicians, and cross-functional stakeholders to support organizational goals and strategic initiatives.

Turnaround Time and Service Metrics

• Maintain accountability for meeting established turnaround time goals across all laboratory departments and testing platforms.

• Monitor and manage daily, weekly, and monthly performance metrics, including:

• Turnaround time compliance

• STAT testing performance

• Pending and aged workload

• Instrument downtime

• Specimen rejection rates

• Quality indicators and customer complaints

• Productivity and labor utilization

• Overtime and vacancy rates

• Reportable result timeliness

• Service and client satisfaction metrics

• Ensure appropriate escalation processes are in place to proactively address service disruptions and minimize impact to patients and clients.

• Lead root cause analyses and corrective action initiatives to improve performance and sustain operational targets.

Workforce Planning and Talent Management

• Develop, maintain, and optimize staffing models to ensure appropriate coverage and alignment with testing volumes and workload demand.
• Monitor labor productivity, overtime utilization, absenteeism, and vacancy rates to ensure efficient resource management.
• Utilize forecasting tools and operational data to support workforce planning and resource allocation.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop laboratory leaders and staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Promote employee engagement and support succession planning initiatives.

Inventory Management and Supply Chain Oversight

• Provide oversight for inventory management and supply chain activities to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• Establish inventory control processes and monitor key indicators related to supply utilization, stock levels, and waste reduction.
• Collaborate with procurement and vendor partners to maintain appropriate par levels and ensure timely acquisition of reagents, consumables, and laboratory supplies.
• Evaluate inventory trends and implement strategies to reduce expired materials and optimize cost management.
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply shortages and operational disruptions.

Technology and Laboratory Systems

• Provide operational leadership for laboratory instrumentation, automation systems, and technology platforms to maximize reliability and efficiency.
• Partner with Information Technology and Laboratory Information System (LIS) teams to support system implementations, upgrades, interfaces, and workflow enhancements.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and automation solutions to improve productivity, quality, and turnaround times.
• Maintain familiarity with laboratory information systems, middleware, automation platforms, and digital workflow solutions.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity, data integrity, and regulatory requirements related to laboratory systems.

Equipment Maintenance and Reliability

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and service contracts for laboratory instrumentation and automation systems.
• Monitor equipment performance, utilization, and downtime metrics to ensure operational continuity.
• Collaborate with vendors, biomedical engineering, and technical teams to minimize downtime and rapidly resolve equipment issues.
• Develop contingency plans to support uninterrupted testing during equipment failures or emergency situations.
• Ensure documentation related to maintenance, calibration, and corrective actions complies with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Management

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of New York State Department of Health regulations, CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Ensure laboratory readiness for inspections and accreditation surveys through ongoing monitoring and audit activities.
• Support quality management programs and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Lead investigations, corrective actions, and performance improvement efforts to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets and support efficient utilization of resources.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and revenue enhancement.
• Participate in strategic planning and support implementation of new services, technologies, and growth initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence while maintaining a strong focus on quality and customer service.

Vendor and External Partner Management

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and other external business partners.
• Monitor vendor performance and service-level agreements to ensure timely delivery of products, maintenance services, and technical support.
• Partner with procurement and supply chain teams to manage contracts, reagent agreements, and service arrangements.
• Coordinate with vendors to address equipment issues, supply shortages, and operational disruptions to minimize impact on testing services.
• Participate in vendor selection, validation, and implementation activities for new instrumentation and laboratory technologies.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing high throughput laboratory operation
• Strong knowledge of New York State Department of Health regulations and applicable CLIA, CAP, and OSHA requirements.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive operational excellence in a complex healthcare environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related field.
• Commercial or reference laboratory experience strongly preferred.
• ASCP certification or other relevant professional certification
• Experience managing multi-site or regional laboratory operations.
• Experience with laboratory automation, middleware, and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
• Lean Six Sigma certification or demonstrated experience leading process improvement initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Operational Excellence
• Regulatory Compliance
• Strategic Thinking
• Financial Acumen
• Workforce Planning
• Inventory and Supply Chain Management
• Technology and Automation Leadership
• Quality Management
• Performance Improvement
• Customer Service Excellence

Employer Description

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai's unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well-being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

About the Mount Sinai Health System:

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time - discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients' medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report's "Best Children's Hospitals" ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the country's best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek's "The World's Best Smart Hospitals" ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.