Laboratory Supervisor, Microbiology

Laboratory Supervisor, Microbiology

Optum WA, (formerly The Everett Clinic) is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor, Microbiology to join our team in Everett, WA. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live. Our exceptional outpatient laboratory team supports a range of medical specialties, including Urgent Care.

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Laboratory Supervisor to lead daily operations of our clinical laboratory. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant laboratory services while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, leadership experience, and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Operational Oversight

• Oversees daily laboratory operations, ensuring appropriate staffing, workflow efficiency, turnaround times, and high service quality

• Performs bench testing as needed and provides advanced technical expertise and troubleshooting for instruments, methods, and workflows

Leadership & Personnel Management

• Supervises and leads medical technologists and lead technologists, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance management

• Conducts initial and ongoing competency assessments; ensures personnel credentials, training records, and documentation are current and complete

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Management

• Ensures laboratory compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements (CLIA, CAP, OSHA, etc.)

• Develops, implements, and maintains policies and procedures across laboratory operations, including quality control, quality assurance, safety, and document management

• Monitors and evaluates laboratory systems to ensure accuracy, precision, and clinical reliability of test results; leads corrective and preventive actions as needed

Proficiency Testing & Continuous Improvement

• Coordinates proficiency testing participation; reviews performance, conducts root cause analyses, and implements corrective actions

• Stays current with laboratory practices, technologies, and regulatory changes; leads or supports validations, verifications, and continuous improvement initiatives

Safety & Risk Managemen

• Investigates safety events, implements corrective actions, and promotes a strong culture of safety across the laboratory

Collaboration & Clinical Support

• Collaborates with clinicians, nursing, infection prevention, and administrative teams to support timely, accurate testing and provide consultation on test selection and interpretation

Inventory, Equipment & Vendor Management

• Manages inventory and procurement of supplies, reagents, and equipment; coordinates vendor relationships, service agreements, and contract

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintains required records and prepares reports related to quality control, instrument maintenance, proficiency testing, competency, and operational metrics

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

Your Benefits: 

• Generous salary + performance quality incentives
• Generous PTO
• Retirement Match
• Employee Wellness Program, including reimbursement for exercise
• Generous Transit Support & Parking

Required Qualifications: Note that these requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to perform this job.

• Education:  Bachelor's degree in chemical, physical, or biological science or medical technology from an accredited institution. Applicants with international degrees must submit official documentation verifying the U.S. equivalency of their academic credentials to satisfy the educational requirements
• Certificate/License:  Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by a nationally recognized agency (e.g., ASCP, AMT, AAB)
• Experience:  3+ years of experience as a Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Knowledge: In‑depth knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, techniques, procedures, and instrumentation. Strong understanding of CLIA regulations and experience serving in a technical supervisory capacity. Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance principles and procedures, including proficiency testing and instrument maintenance. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS) and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Skill: Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to supervise, train, and mentor laboratory staff. Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot laboratory issues and recommend effective solutions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaborative work with laboratory staff, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to maintain a high level of quality control and quality assurance. Strong organizational and time‑management skills to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines
• Ability: The Supervisor must demonstrate the ability to manage a demanding and fast‑paced laboratory environment where competing priorities, urgent testing needs, and shifting workloads require strong judgment and adaptability. This role requires exceptional time‑management and prioritization skills, as operational demands can extend work hours when unexpected issues arise or when supporting critical patient care needs. The Supervisor must be able to perform and oversee complex laboratory procedures, sustain concentration for extended periods, and apply advanced analytical skills while troubleshooting technical problems or ensuring result accuracy. The ability to guide staff through operational challenges, maintain composure under pressure, and ensure consistent adherence to quality and safety standards is essential for success in this role

Preferred Qualification:

• 1+ years of laboratory leadership

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS Employees must meet the physical and mental demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Ability to stand for extended periods while performing laboratory tests and procedures; manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments, including small tools and test tubes; and lift up to 25 pounds when moving laboratory supplies or equipment. Requires manual dexterity for precise work with specimens and instruments and adequate visual acuity to distinguish colors and read small print on labels or test results. Work occurs in a laboratory environment with exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, and biological substances and requires use of PPE such as gloves, lab coats, and goggles.

MENTAL DEMANDS: This position requires the ability to sustain focus, accuracy, and professional composure in a high‑stakes environment where interruptions, urgent inquiries, and unexpected instrument or workflow issues occur frequently. The Supervisor must effectively evaluate complex testing problems, navigate conflicts, manage multiple deadlines, and make sound, timely decisions under pressure. Because supervisory responsibilities encompass staffing, coaching, performance management, and real‑time operational support, strong emotional resilience and clear, effective communication are essential. The ability to remain objective, steady, and solution‑oriented during stressful or rapidly changing situations is critical. The Supervisor must also be able to support and motivate the team through challenges, foster a collaborative and constructive work environment, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results even during periods of heavy workload or operational strain.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the job's essential functions.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer 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 us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $72,800 to $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.

OptumCare 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.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.