Lab Program Coordinator

Renown Health, located in Reno, Nevada, is the region's first locally governed, not-for-profit academic health system serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. Established with a mission to improve health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education, training, and innovative research, Renown Health partners with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine to ensure a healthier future for the community it serves. With a workforce exceeding 8,000 employees, Renown offers rewarding professional and personal opportunities in the beautiful Reno-Tahoe area. Renown is proud to be recognized nationally as one of the top places to work in healthcare, earning awards for its exceptional employee experience and workplace wellness. This reputation reflects the organization's commitment to putting people first and fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

The Lab Program Coordinator position at Renown Health is a critical role that supports laboratory operations by ensuring operational and technical accuracy across all pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical procedures within specific lab departments. Unlike bench-level roles, this position focuses on technical expertise and program coordination rather than direct bench work. The Lab Program Coordinator serves as a valuable resource for bench staff by reviewing procedural updates, evaluating workflows, and assisting with maintaining accreditation and compliance standards. This career ladder role is designed for professionals seeking to expand their technical and leadership skills in a dynamic healthcare setting.

As a Lab Program Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining operational quality, ensuring consistent and accurate reporting, and continuously monitoring analytical systems and automation lines. The role demands strong organizational abilities to manage workload efficiently, complete quality control procedures, ensure correct specimen identification, and verify equipment functionality. A deep understanding of multiple lab disciplines and the ability to analyze and resolve issues are essential to succeed in this position. You will be expected to perform duties outlined in the Clinical Lab Scientist Senior job description and work closely with the Clinical Laboratory Supervisor.

Renown Health laboratory operates 24/7, providing laboratory services to a diverse patient population, including both inpatients and outpatients of all ages. The Lab Program Coordinator must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for timely and high-quality laboratory test results, adhering strictly to safety protocols and regulatory standards such as CLIA and state-specific regulations. This role requires comprehensive mastery of lab procedures and annual demonstration of competency in work-related skills.

Communication is key in this role, as the Lab Program Coordinator will ensure timely and accurate results are reported in the Laboratory Information System and will keep nursing personnel informed to facilitate efficient patient care. The coordinator must also be mindful of patient age during testing and results reporting and must communicate effectively with patients and family members during special testing procedures.

The position also includes specific departmental responsibilities in compliance, point of care testing, and quality assurance. Duties range from managing compliance programs, conducting employee training and audits, providing billing guidance, overseeing point of care testing quality and proficiency, to participating in various interdisciplinary teams and committees. The role involves inspection planning, evaluation and implementation of testing equipment, policy development, and support for lab site leaders to maintain inspection readiness. Additionally, the Lab Program Coordinator is expected to engage in ongoing process improvement initiatives such as Lean or Transformational Healthcare, and contribute to research and validation of new test methods.

To qualify for this position, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology or a related field, have at least three years of clinical laboratory technologist experience with a preference for five years, and possess or be able to obtain a State of Nevada Clinical Laboratory Technologist license within seven months. National certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by ASCP is preferred. The ideal candidate will have strong computer skills, particularly with Laboratory Information Systems, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment. This full-time role offers eligibility for benefits and requires onsite work at Renown Health's facility.