System Director - Laboratory Services

Salary Range: $140,000 to $200,000/year This position is eligible for in-state or out-of-state paid relocation assistance ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE: System Director, Laboratory Services REPORTS TO POSITION: VP Operations, Bend DEPARTMENT: Laboratory DATE LAST REVIEWED: November 2025 OUR VISION: Creating America’s healthiest community, together OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Laboratory Departments provide many services to our multi-hospital organization and outreach community including: blood collection, processing, testing, and reporting of results, spanning all disciplines of laboratory medicine. POSITION OVERVIEW: The System Director of Laboratory Services provides strategic leadership for St. Charles Health System’s integrated laboratory network, encompassing inpatient, outpatient, and outreach operations. This role is responsible for driving systemwide business strategy, financial performance, and service line growth while ensuring alignment with organizational goals for quality, efficiency, and sustainability. The System Director oversees laboratory leadership across all campuses, directly managing managers and supervisors responsible for technical operations, outreach and pre-analytic services, and support functions. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES: Strategic Leadership and Growth Provides strategic leadership for the integrated laboratory network across St. Charles Health System, encompassing four hospitals (Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville) and multiple outpatient laboratory sites. Develops and executes a long-term strategy for laboratory service line growth, outreach expansion, and business development opportunities across Central Oregon. Identifies and implements innovative technologies, automation, and data-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, service quality, and market competitiveness. Partners with executive and medical leadership to align laboratory initiatives with organizational priorities in clinical excellence, financial sustainability, and patient experience. Represents Laboratory Services in systemwide planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals. Operational and Financial Performance Provides system-level oversight of all laboratory operations, including phlebotomy, point-of-care testing, and multidisciplinary medical laboratory science departments (e.g., chemistry, hematology, microbiology, serology, blood bank, and transfusion services). Ensures standardization of laboratory practices, processes, and quality metrics across all inpatient and outpatient locations. Develops, manages, and monitors operational and capital budgets for laboratory services; evaluates financial performance and develops strategies for cost optimization and revenue growth. Oversees vendor contracts, supply chain relationships, and reference lab agreements to ensure efficiency, compliance, and value. Uses benchmarking and performance analytics to monitor productivity, turnaround times, and key performance indicators (KPIs) across sites. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Ensures full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accrediting body standards, including CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission, FDA, and AABB. Establishes and maintains systemwide quality assurance and performance improvement programs for laboratory operations. Leads regulatory readiness activities, inspections, and audits, fostering a culture of continuous compliance and quality. Partners with Operational and Quality leaders to maintain rigorous standards for testing accuracy, patient safety, and result reliability. Leadership and People Management Oversees a network of laboratory leaders responsible for technical operations, outreach and pre-analytic services, point-of-care coordination, and support services. Recruits, mentors, and develops high-performing leadership teams to ensure operational excellence and professional growth across all campuses. Establishes clear performance expectations and accountability structures aligned with system goals and St. Charles Health System’s ACTS of Excellence. Promotes a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and shared leadership across all laboratories and associated teams. Collaboration and Continuous Improvement Partners with medical staff, nursing, operations, and administrative teams to advance integrated approaches to patient care and diagnostic excellence. Champions innovation and technology adoption, including automation, digital pathology, and data analytics tools to optimize service delivery. Promotes transparent communication and engagement with internal stakeholders and community partners to strengthen the laboratory’s role within the health system and regional network. Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects. Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change. Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests. Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings. May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned. EDUCATION: Required: Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science or a related field as required by applicable licensure standards. Preferred: Master’s degree in laboratory science, healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION: Required: MT (ASCP), CLS, or equivalent. Valid Oregon driver’s license and ability to meet St. Charles Health System driving requirements. Ability to travel to business functions/trainings/meetings and all St. Charles Health System worksites required. Preferred: N/A EXPERIENCE: Required: Seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in clinical laboratory operations, including management of complex, multi-site environments encompassing both inpatient and outpatient services. Experience must include demonstrated success in operational oversight, strategic planning, and budget management to support sustainable laboratory growth. Proven ability to develop and implement business and financial strategies that enhance efficiency, quality, and fiscal accountability. Preferred: Ten years of clinical laboratory leadership experience. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level. Frequently (50%): Sitting, keyboarding operation Occasionally (25%): Standing and walking lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing, operation of a motor vehicle Rarely (10%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching climbing stairs climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area) reaching overhead lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 11-25 pounds. Exposure to Elemental Factors Rarely (10%): chemical solution Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category Risk for Exposure to BBP . Schedule Weekly Hours: 40 Caregiver Type: Regular Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Is Exempt Position? Yes Job Family: DIRECTOR Scheduled Days of the Week: Monday-Friday Shift Start & End Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm St. Charles Health System is a private, nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing high-quality care and the latest in health care technology to the communities it serves. Headquartered in Bend, Ore., St. Charles is an integrated delivery system, with a strong focus on population health, that provides a full range of evidence-based health care services within a 32,000-square-mile area in Central and Eastern Oregon. The health system owns and operates a trauma level II, tertiary referral center in Bend, a trauma level III, type B rural hospital in Redmond, and trauma level IV critical access hospitals in both Prineville and Madras. As the largest employer in Central Oregon, St. Charles Health System and St. Charles Medical Group care for our communities in more than two dozen outpatient clinics and in more than 20 specialty areas of medicine. For additional information, such as Career FAQ's, benefits, and why your dream job awaits, please visit our Careers site. With a variety of nursing positions available, you can choose a career path that fits both your interests AND your lifestyle. 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Salary : $140,000 - $200,000