Laboratory Manager

Affiliated Dermatology | Scottsdale, AZ
Full-Time | Exempt | On-Site

About the Role

Affiliated Dermatology is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our dermatopathology laboratory. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who understands laboratory operations, enjoys developing people, and knows how to balance quality, efficiency, compliance, and patient care.

Our Laboratory Manager oversees the workflow of the lab from specimen receipt and accessioning through gross examination, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, slide distribution, storage, and disposition. Just as importantly, this person leads the team behind that work—creating structure, solving problems, improving processes, and making sure employees have the training, resources, and support they need to succeed.

Working closely with our Lab Director, pathologists, Human Resources, and executive leadership, you will play an important role in keeping laboratory operations accurate, timely, safe, efficient, compliant, and fiscally responsible.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll have ownership of both laboratory operations and people leadership, including:

• Lead daily laboratory operations and coordinate workflow based on specimen volume, staffing, turnaround times, and operational priorities.
• Manage, coach, and develop laboratory employees while creating a respectful, accountable, high-performing team environment.
• Develop staffing schedules and ensure appropriate coverage for laboratory workload and anticipated volume.
• Partner with HR on recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, performance management, employee relations, and professional development.
• Oversee competency documentation, cross-training, and required employee qualifications.
• Monitor laboratory quality indicators such as specimen errors, recuts, processing defects, amended reports, complaints, turnaround times, equipment downtime, and corrective actions.
• Investigate laboratory incidents and workflow issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Support the laboratory quality program and maintain inspection-ready operations for CLIA/CAP surveys, audits, or other regulatory reviews.
• Oversee laboratory equipment, maintenance, supplies, reagents, inventory, safety practices, and facility needs.
• Monitor budgets, labor expenses, supply costs, service agreements, send-out costs, waste, and capital needs.
• Analyze laboratory metrics and use data to identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, capacity, workflow, and efficiency.
• Coordinate with pathologists, clinical teams, couriers, vendors, reference laboratories, and other departments.
• Step into laboratory operations and provide hands-on coverage when needed.

The position also has meaningful responsibility for quality systems, regulatory readiness, safety, equipment, inventory, budgeting, and operational reporting.