What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Histocompatibility-Immunology Lab position at LifeLink Foundation, Inc.?
Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team!
About LifeLink
More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.
What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.
Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.
We are grounded in the values that shape our work and culture—Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.
If you’re inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.
What You’ll Do
As an Associate Director, LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory, you will directly contribute to LifeLink’s life-saving mission.
The position reports to the Immunology Lab Executive Director and contributes to overall lab operations. This includes participation in rotating on-call duties, performing test review and sign-out, providing clinical consultation and educational outreach to our transplant center partners, and conducting research and development projects.
The LifeLink Immunology Lab supports 6 transplant centers in Florida and has helped facilitate over 1000 solid organ transplants in 2024 and 2025. The Lab also provides donor histocompatibility testing the LifeLink of Florida Organ Procurement Organization. We ultimately strive to deliver excellent service to our transplant center partners and engage in meaningful research and development projects that contribute to our understanding of histocompatibility and transplant immunology. Internal funding for projects is available and we are close research collaborators with local transplant centers.
Candidates should meet the histocompatibility director qualifications as per ASHI standards and the State of Florida regulations. Director-in-Training candidates may also be considered for the position. Position and title are commensurate with experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assists in planning, implementing, and coordinating all aspects of laboratory histocompatibility testing to include donor and recipient immunological tests.
- Interprets laboratory test results and consults with the Clinical Staff as needed.
- Helps supervise the management of laboratory supervisors, technologists, and support staff.
- Participates in the hiring process and performance evaluation of all Immunology Laboratory staff.
- Ensures accurate, complete, and appropriate communication between the laboratory and various transplant programs, hospitals, and referring physicians.
- Facilitates interaction between the laboratory and other transplant-related and regulatory organizations including OPTN, ASHI and the State of Florida. Serves on transplantation related committees at LifeLink and/or among multiple transplantation societies.
- Represents the LifeLink Transplant Immunology Laboratory in local, statewide, and national forums.
- Helps oversee and ensure the accuracy of data generated by the laboratory.
- Assists in the preparation, submission and justification of the annual laboratory expense budget.
- Contributes to the monitoring and investigation of budgetary variances to resolve actual versus budget exceptions relating to laboratory operations.
- Participates and conducts clinical investigations with partner transplant centers.
Who You Are
- Passionate about helping others and making a difference
- Aligned with LifeLink’s core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
- Meet the qualifications per the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for a Histocompatibility High Complexity Laboratory Director, Technical Supervisor and Clinical Consultant.
- Requires an earned doctoral degree in chemical, biological, or medical laboratory science or medical technology and/or a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in the State of Florida with board certification in clinical and/or anatomical pathology.
- Have 4 years of post-graduate laboratory training or experience in histocompatibility.
- Be licensed by the State of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Director (Qualification as Histocompatibility Director and Serology Director).
- Hold an HHS approved Board Certification in the area of Histocompatibility (ACHI) or Immunology (HCLD- ABB). Qualify is required as a Histocompatibility Director through the American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI) as a Fellow (F(ACHI) or Affiliate A(ACHI) in the areas of Solid Organ Transplantation: Deceased and Living Donor.
- Additional qualification in the areas of Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation: Related and Unrelated Donor is preferred but not required.
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the field of organ transplantation and transplant immunology. Have experience in contemporary histocompatibility methods and techniques.
- Leadership qualities and interpersonal skills are necessary to oversee the daily operation of all Transplant Immunology Laboratory activities.
- A collaborator who thrives in a mission-first environment
Working Conditions:
Pleasant working conditions. Extended hours may be required to coordinate the various activities of the Immunology Laboratory staff. May have to directly handle potentially contagious tissues and specimens in the provision of quality assurance. Local, national, and international travel may be required.
OSHA Risk Classification: High
Why LifeLink?
- Be part of an organization with a legacy of saving lives and giving hope
- Join a passionate and supportive team across Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico
- COMPANY PAID Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
- Generous COMPANY PAID Pension Plan for your Retirement
- Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
- Growth opportunities in a mission-driven, high-impact nonprofit
- Work with purpose, knowing your efforts directly touch lives
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.
Ready to Help Change Lives?
Your next career move could be the most meaningful one yet.