Sr. Director Laboratory Services – Hurst, TX

Opportunities at WellMed, part of the Optum family of businesses. We believe all patients are entitled to the highest level of medical care. Here, you will join a team who shares your passion for helping people achieve better health. With opportunities for physicians, clinical staff and non-patient-facing roles, you can make a difference with us as you discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Provide leadership for planning, management, implementation, integration and coordination of the Clinical Laboratory and the Pathology Lab in support of company goals dedicated to excellence, effective leadership, and financial stability.  Support the delivery of high quality, cost-effective patient care through activities based on company strategic goals and objectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization’s laboratory operations including the Clinical Laboratory and the Pathology Lab
• Directs development of specific short and long-range programs and project plans to obtain the company’s objectives
• Responsible for the planning and coordination of the Clinical Laboratory and Pathology Lab’s daily activities, the operational efficiency and effectiveness, as well as major impact on all other areas
• Ensure that testing systems developed and used for each of the tests performed in the laboratory provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test performance, which includes the pre-analytic, analytic, and post analytic phases of testing
• Effectively interviews and selects a qualified number of personnel as required to meet department objectives.  Ensures hiring practices conform to appropriate Affirmative Action/EEO practices and regulations
• Provides direction to the staff and supervisors of the Clinical Laboratory and Pathology Lab.  Reviews performance of the department staff and approves staff evaluations.  Responsible for appropriate disciplinary action of staff members as needed
• Oversees the prioritization of projects and directs resources to ensure the attainment of the company’s goals
• Prepares annual budget
• Responsible for ensuring the department meets and adheres to all applicable, Federal, state, TJC, COLA, CAP, CLIA and local regulatory requirements and for ensuring the department and company’s success in any regulatory survey.  (This includes participation in appropriate Proficiency Testing programs.)
• Ensures that an approved policy and procedure manual is available to all personnel responsible for any aspect of the testing process
• Participates on various committees and other task forces as may be established by management to plan, organize and drive the company
• Directs and/or participates in regular discussion and reviews on a variety of diverse/complex issues including financial and administrative matters, which have company-wide impact
• Responsible for making decisions required to maintain acceptable operations based on strategic goals and policies.  Displays ingenuity and foresight in determining the most appropriate solution in the absence of established guidelines
• Confers with other Directors when necessary to resolve procedural difficulties, clarifying responsibilities, objectives and resolving identified problems
• Directs and reviews, and analyzes progress and performance of contract services.  Makes recommendations on contract initiation, renewals and termination of agreements
• Responsible for special projects as assigned by the Administrative Management Team.  Meets all objectives as set forth in individual evaluation and displays a good work attitude towards job responsibilities
• Adheres to departmental attendance policy, work hours and maintenance of personal appearance as state in USMD’s policy
• Actively seeks ways to control costs without compromising patient safety, quality of care or the services delivered
• Demonstrates knowledge of the occurrence reporting system and reports trends in occurrences to staff.  This information is used to improve patient and employee safety
• Ensures staff is educated on established guidelines for reporting a significant medical error or unanticipated outcome which results in patient harm
• Performs other duties as assigned

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or a related field 
• ASCP (or equivalent) Registry 
• 5+ years of management experience within a Laboratory setting
• 5+ years working with contracted/affiliated Physician groups
• Experience in a Clinical Laboratory environment and a working knowledge of Medicare and Managed Care practices
• Working knowledge of specimen collection, various test methods and analyzers
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of medical, OSHA, CAP, COLA and CLIA regulations
• Proven leadership skills in matrix management/team-oriented environment
• Proven strategic thinking skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) 
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or a related field
• Full comprehension of human resources policies and practices related to clinical staff
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to interface effectively internally with all levels of staff and externally with a wide range of people including physicians, office staff, hospital executives, medical groups, and community organizations
• Excellent problem-solving skills with effective follow through
• Solid verbal and written communications skills

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires hand dexterity for computer, telephone and other office machine operation, stooping and bending for supplies, sitting for extended periods of time
• Prolonged computer use may cause eyestrain

The salary range for this role is $106,800 to $194,200 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.