Core Laboratory Manager

Location: Nashville, TN Schedule: Day Shift | Monday–Friday + Rotating Saturday Coverage Compensation: $100,000–$130,000, depending on experience

Lighthouse Lab Services is partnering with a growing clinical laboratory in Nashville, Tennessee, seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to oversee its core laboratory operations and lead a team of approximately up to 20 employees.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role with responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the core laboratory and accessioning functions. The Laboratory Manager will own staffing and scheduling, employee performance and development, workflow and turnaround times, quality and regulatory compliance, and overall laboratory efficiency.

The ideal candidate is an experienced clinical laboratory manager who understands the technical side of the laboratory but is equally comfortable leading people, solving operational challenges, and creating accountability across a busy testing environment.

The Role You'll Play

• Own the day-to-day operations of the core laboratory, including Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, and associated specimen processing/accessioning workflows.
• Directly manage approximately 10–20 laboratory and accessioning team members, providing clear expectations, coaching, performance management, and ongoing development.
• Own laboratory staffing and scheduling, ensuring appropriate coverage based on testing volume, workflow needs, PTO, call-outs, and changing operational demands.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and retain laboratory staff in partnership with organizational leadership and HR.
• Monitor daily workflow, testing volume, turnaround times, staffing levels, and operational bottlenecks, taking action to maintain efficient laboratory performance.
• Ensure laboratory operations remain compliant with CLIA, CAP, Tennessee state requirements, internal SOPs, and applicable quality standards.
• Oversee employee training, competency assessments, proficiency testing, quality control, corrective actions, and required documentation.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to identify and implement process improvements related to staffing, workflow, quality, productivity, and service.
• Support instrument validation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and implementation of new testing processes or equipment as needed.
• Develop, review, and maintain laboratory policies, procedures, and SOPs.
• Investigate quality or operational issues, identify root causes, and drive corrective and preventive actions through completion.
• Maintain flexibility to support laboratory operations and provide coverage when needed, including approximately one Saturday per month.
• Collaborate effectively with laboratory leadership, accessioning, client-facing teams, vendors, and other internal partners to resolve issues and maintain consistent laboratory service.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related laboratory science required.
• Current Tennessee Medical Laboratory Supervisor License required.
• MT/MLS (ASCP) certification preferred.
• Previous laboratory management experience required.
• Strong clinical laboratory background with experience in high-complexity testing.
• Previous core laboratory/generalist experience strongly preferred, particularly across Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis.
• Experience overseeing accessioning or specimen-processing functions preferred.
• Strong knowledge of CLIA, CAP, quality systems, competency requirements, and laboratory regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and hold teams accountable while maintaining a collaborative working environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance staffing needs, testing priorities, quality requirements, and changing laboratory demands.

Salary & Benefits

• $100,000–$130,000 annually, depending on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off & paid holidays
• Retirement benefits

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. Lighthouse Lab Services is committed to working and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including persons with disabilities. If at any time during the application process, you need an accommodation, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Lighthouse Lab Services | 844-334-1658 | lighthouselabservices.com

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