CLS - Lab Manager

Lead the Future of Diagnostics in the Vineyards of Northern California

When you think of innovation in healthcare, a laboratory might not be the first place that comes to mind — but behind every accurate diagnosis, every successful treatment plan, and every critical care decision, there’s a laboratory leader making it all possible.

This is your opportunity to bring your expertise in laboratory science, operations, and people leadership to a high-impact role near Santa Rosa, California — where cutting-edge diagnostics meet the heart of wine country.

As Laboratory Manager, you’ll oversee the daily operations of a modern clinical lab and guide a dedicated team of scientists, technologists, and support professionals. You won’t just keep things running — you’ll drive excellence, ensure compliance, optimize workflows, and bring vision to everything from vendor management to performance improvement. This role offers both strategic oversight and hands-on collaboration with pathologists, technical supervisors, and executive leadership.

And when the workday ends? You’ll be surrounded by rolling vineyards, redwood forests, artisan food culture, and ocean breezes — the kind of place where leadership isn’t just about climbing, it’s about flourishing.

What You’ll Do

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including administrative, technical, and fiscal functions
• Supervise and coach clinical laboratory staff and technical supervisors; lead departmental meetings, 1:1s, and engagement planning
• Oversee specimen collection, processing, and testing standards, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance
• Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) programs; submit plans and reports to support continual growth
• Partner with pathologists and the Laboratory Medical Director to assess test protocols, draft SOPs, and align with clinical goals
• Manage budgets, monthly variances, billing reviews, and vendor contracts (including instruments and reference labs)
• Ensure lab meets CLIA, CAP, and state regulatory standards; lead initiatives related to staff competencies, method evaluation, and proficiency programs
• Participate in systemwide committees, contribute to service expansion evaluations, and foster multi-disciplinary collaboration

What You’ll Bring

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Biology, or related field required
• Master’s degree in a healthcare or management discipline preferred
• Current California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license required

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of clinical laboratory experience
• At least 2 years in a hospital laboratory setting in a supervisory or managerial role

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching abilities
• High emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills
• Deep knowledge of compliance frameworks (e.g., CLIA, CAP, TJC)
• Proven ability to drive quality, efficiency, and operational improvements
• Comfort navigating both the strategic and hands-on aspects of lab management

Benefits & Work Culture

• Competitive compensation with opportunity for growth and leadership influence
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Employer-supported retirement savings programs
• Paid time off, holidays, and work-life balance emphasis
• Professional development funding and continuing education support
• Collaborative and mission-driven team environment
• High-quality instrumentation and vendor relationships to support excellence

A Region Where Science Meets Serenity

Nestled between the Pacific Coast and the Mayacamas Mountains, the area near Santa Rosa offers a lifestyle most only dream of. By day, you’ll lead a critical piece of the healthcare system. By evening, you can unwind with a glass of world-class wine, hike through ancient redwood groves, or bike past golden vineyards.

This region is as rich in culture as it is in natural beauty — home to local farmers markets, artisan cheese trails, and an emerging tech and innovation scene. The downtown areas are charming yet cosmopolitan, offering theater, jazz clubs, and farm-to-table dining in equal measure.

For those raising families or looking for more space, the surrounding communities offer exceptional schools, low crime, and easy access to nature. And for the urban explorer, San Francisco is just a scenic drive away, making it easy to balance tranquility with adventure.

Whether you’re drawn by the call of leadership or the pull of a more grounded lifestyle, this role lets you have both.

Lead with Purpose. Live with Balance.

If you’re a licensed CLS with the heart of a leader, the eye of a scientist, and the vision of a builder — we invite you to explore this opportunity. Your work will shape diagnostics across the care continuum and build a legacy of excellence that will benefit thousands.

Apply now and bring your clinical leadership to a place where precision meets purpose — and where the air smells like lavender and possibility.