Lab Manager

Are you a skilled laboratory professional with a passion for leadership and patient care? UCSC Student Health Services is seeking a Lab Manager to oversee daily operations, guide a talented team, and ensure the highest standards of accuracy, safety, and service. In this pivotal role, you'll balance hands-on clinical work with strategic leadership, making a direct impact on student health and wellness.

UC Santa Cruz is the county's largest employer and one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Perched on the coast overlooking Monterey Bay, our main campus offers a stunning setting and a vibrant community where over 3,100 staff members build meaningful careers, enjoy comprehensive benefits, and contribute to a mission that makes a difference.

UCSC offers staff a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health and well-being. Sample benefit options include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• UC Retirement Pension Plan
• Optional group term life, legal, and pet insurance
• Paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick leave
• Discounts at UCSC recreation facilities

For details, please visit: UCnet Benefits

Thank you for your interest in joining the UC Santa Cruz community.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-30-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Student Health Services (SHS) is a full-service medical facility offering clinical, educational, and psychological support to UCSC students. SHS is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, well-integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare that effectively supports the university's diverse campus communities through equitable access and culturally competent, high-quality programs and services.

The Primary Care Program offers primary care and same-day care services, supported by on-site radiology, a COLA-accredited clinical laboratory, and the campus pharmacy offering prescription and over-the-counter products. Counseling and Psychological Services, Case Management, and Psychiatry services are available for crisis intervention, mental health support, and outreach services.

Additional departments include Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), home of the Condom Co-op; the Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment (CARE), the advocacy and prevention education office that supports survivors of sexual assault, stalking, and dating/domestic violence; and the Cove Collegiate Recovery Program (CCRP), where students receive harm-reduction and recovery services.

Student Health Services employs approximately 150 staff and welcomes staff with interest and experience working with college students with a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and gender identities.

More information can be found at: https://healthcenter.ucsc.edu

JOB SUMMARY

Under general and clinical supervision of the Medical Director, the Lab Manager performs a wide variety of administrative, technical, supervisory, patient care, and clinical services in the UCSC Student Health Services Laboratory. The Lab Manager is responsible for the daily on-site operation of the UCSC Student Health Services Laboratory, ensuring that all physician requests for clinical laboratory services are completed quickly and accurately by laboratory staff. The Lab Manager functions as a CLIA Lab Technical Supervisor or Technical Consultant as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988.

The Lab Manager builds rapport in order to effectively convey ideas to management and administrative staff, clinicians, students, and other individuals. The Lab Manager provides leadership within the laboratory and is responsible for all laboratory personnel activities, including hiring and training new staff, performing annual staff performance evaluations, and handling professional conduct situations.

Operating in a fast-paced environment, this role involves direct patient care duties as well as administrative, supervisory, and technical duties that utilize attention to detail, critical thinking, and leadership skills to perform a wide range of duties and to recognize and respond to emergencies.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $130,000 - $145,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: CLIN LAB SHS SUPV 2 (009367)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% - Technical Consultation/Supervision and Laboratory Management

• Provides daily on-site supervision of all technical components of the laboratory.
• Functions as the Technical Supervisor or Technical Consultant as required to maintain a CLIA-certified lab in accordance with CLIA personnel requirements defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988.
• Selects and institutes testing systems for each test.
• Coordinates test results checking and verification according to laboratory policy.
• Coordinates proficiency testing within the department and ensures that corrective actions are taken when necessary.
• Monitors test analysis and specimen collection to comply with laboratory quality control policies and procedures and establish, evaluate, and maintain acceptable levels of analytical performance.
• Creates and maintains quality control and assessment programs for both federal and state laboratory requirements, working with and reporting to the Medical Director and the Quality Management Committee.
• Ensures documentation of remedial actions taken to correct deviations from established performance specifications of tests.
• Monitors reports to ensure that reports of accurate test results include pertinent information required for specific patient interpretation.
• Responsible for performance management of laboratory staff in accordance with UCSC guidelines, including coaching, counseling, discipline, and dismissals. Prepares probationary and annual performance evaluations for career and per diem staff, adhering to internal and campus deadlines.
• Responsible for training staff for testing and laboratory operational functions; provides orientation and training for new and continuing employees to ensure that all staff members are informed of new procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Oversees Testing Personnel as required to maintain a CLIA-certified lab.
• Oversees and maintains compliance with University, federal, state, county, and other regulatory agency procedures and regulations.
• Functions as General Supervisor as required to maintain a CLIA-certified lab.
• Communicates regularly with the medical director, including test procedures, abnormal reporting, and clinician requests.
• Consults and provides technical information/assistance or direction within the limits of capabilities, licensing, and authority to clinicians and other staff.
• Coordinates Laboratory Information System (LIS) and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) activity with Administration and Information Technology Systems within the scope of the laboratory.
• Selects, maintains, coordinates, trains, documents, reviews, and updates technical and preventive maintenance manuals, including for the LIS and its interfaces with the EMR and reference laboratory systems.
• Provides technical consultation for Point of Care (POC) testing program.
• Ensures a safe environment to keep staff safe from physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Selects products and ensures supplies, reagents, and materials have not expired and are stocked at sufficient levels for continuous laboratory operations.
• Keeps laboratory clean, orderly, and organized.
• Provides daily, on-site personnel supervision of staff, including scheduling, time off requests, management of timesheets, and overtime.
• Conducts recruitments and community outreach to fill Lab positions when vacant. Chairs search committees and selects new staff in accordance with UCSC Fair Hiring Guidelines.
• Monitors and encourages participation of staff technologists in continuing education activities.
• Develops and maintains an open communication environment. Works cooperatively with all staff to ensure open and direct communication.
• Resolves conflicts and responds to employee grievances in accordance with UCSC guidelines.

30% - Administrative Management

• Manages Laboratory within department budget, controls operating costs, compiles statistical summaries and workload data, and prepares budget material for Medical Director, as requested.
• Participates in long-range strategic planning.
• Maintains and controls Laboratory equipment inventory. Coordinates Laboratory inventory and supply orders.
• Recommends research on new equipment and presents evaluative results, including analysis of potential cost effectiveness to the Medical Director for approval.
• Reviews technical literature and attends meetings in topic areas such as technical procedures, regulations, referral tests, testing equipment and kits, public health and safety, emerging diseases or pathogens, OSHA and CLIA compliance, chemical safety, hazardous waste management, and other laws and regulations that impact the laboratory.
• Reviews administrative literature and attends meetings in topic areas such as computer applications, laboratory information systems, personnel licensure/certification laws, and regulations.
• Evaluates workload, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing needs and adjusts as required.
• Serves as liaison between Clinical Laboratory and other Student Health Services (SHS) departments and staff.
• Communicates regularly and punctually with appropriate SHS Management staff regarding test procedures, abnormal reporting, and clinician requests, as well as laboratory staff needs, problems, and departmental objectives.
• Establishes and maintains policy and procedure manuals for laboratory operations and clinical interactions, recommends policy and procedure modifications, and determines implementation.
• Ensures application of all safety standards and general safety requirements within the laboratory.
• Participates in committees and work groups and represents the laboratory departmental needs and concerns to SHS management and other internal committees as necessary.
• Assists patients with complaints, problems, and questions related to the laboratory function.
• Maintains department records. Oversees the retirement and disposition of records.

20% - Clinical Laboratory Scientist

• Performs all functions accurately in the clinical laboratory, including hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, chemistry, and molecular diagnostics.
• Responsible for test determinations and reporting accurate test results done in-house in the following areas: urinalysis, hematology, chemistry, serology, and microbiology.
• Complies with laboratory procedures, industry standards, and regulatory agency requirements.
• Assists patients in a caring, respectful, and helpful manner. Performs Phlebotomy as needed.
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Implements Laboratory Quality Assurance activities, including performing pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical assessments.
• Recognizes and responds to emergencies as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area
• Possession of California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License in good standing
• Meet requirements to function as a CLIA Lab Technical Supervisor or Technical Consultant in accordance with CLIA personnel requirements defined by the Clinical Laboratory
• Improvement Amendment of 1988
• Significant experience as a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist
• Knowledge and technical management of the Laboratory Information System
• Strong leadership and demonstrated interpersonal skills sufficient to supervise a diverse team
• Excellent attention to detail and proven critical thinking skills
• Well-developed decision-making and problem solving skills
• Strong oral communication skills; excellent listening skills; ability to receive and give clear and concise information and communicate clearly and effectively with patients, colleagues, and staff members
• Written communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing with patients, colleagues, and staff members
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural competency in serving a diverse student population
• Ability to work and communicate in a positive and cooperative manner with management and supervisory staff, medical staff, co-workers, and other healthcare personnel
• Ability to contribute to team effort, work in a collaborative manner, and respond well to supervision

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 years lab training or experience in high complexity microbiology, chemistry and hematology
• Experience in a Student Health clinical environment
• Demonstrated supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory
• Demonstrated experience in microbiology, chemistry, hematology and urinalysis
• Phlebotomy skills to draw blood samples with minimum patient discomfort
• Analytical and budgetary skills sufficient to monitor financial activity of department

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-hire criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Possession of California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License in good standing Meet requirements to function as a CLIA Lab Technical Supervisor or Technical Consultant in accordance with CLIA personnel requirements defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988.
• Possession of or the ability to possess a current CPR Certificate within 90 days of hire
• Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test within 60 days of hire.
• Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Will be required to comply with current Student Health Center employee health safety requirements for health care workers as defined by state and federal regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements are discussed during interview.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.