WA- Seattle- Supervisor, Immunohematology Reference Laboratory

Ref(LF32)

IRL Supervisor – Immunohematology Reference Laboratory
Location: Washington State (Greater Seattle Area)
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Range: $103,463 – $164,852/year

A highly respected, nonprofit clinical laboratory with a longstanding regional presence is seeking a Supervisor for its Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL). This leadership opportunity involves supervising departmental staff, coordinating quality systems, overseeing lab operations, and ensuring the highest standards in transfusion medicine.

Position Summary:

The IRL Supervisor plays a key role in managing daily operations, mentoring technical staff, driving quality and compliance efforts, and supporting the strategic direction of the laboratory. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of immunohematology reference testing and contribute to process improvement, regulatory preparedness, and organizational leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

• Oversee IRL frontline staff and lead daily operations

• Hire, train, evaluate, and coach team members; manage performance and development plans

• Serve as on-call supervisor and support emergency/lab escalation needs

• Foster a collaborative, values-driven work culture aligned with organizational goals

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all activities meet regulatory standards (AABB, CLIA, CAP, FDA, etc.)

• Lead investigations and documentation of deviations, errors, and corrective actions

• Maintain SOPs and oversee qualifications/validations of new procedures and equipment

• Coordinate internal and external audits, surveys, and inspections

Operational Excellence

• Manage workflow, prioritize urgent testing, and maintain turnaround time targets

• Oversee competency assessments and ongoing staff development

• Support implementation of genomics and molecular testing

• Leverage Lean principles to optimize inventory and reduce waste

Client & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Provide consultative support to clinical partners and physicians

• Coordinate complex or rare blood unit testing and national sample exchanges

• Represent the lab on interdepartmental initiatives and quality improvement teams

Required Qualifications:

• Must meet CLIA General Supervisor qualifications for high-complexity testing

• SBB (Specialist in Blood Banking) certification required

• MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) certification preferred

• At least 5 years of technical lab experience, including 2+ years in IRL testing

• 3+ years of supervisory or lead experience strongly preferred

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Expertise in immunohematology and rare donor testing

• Familiarity with molecular testing techniques

• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills

• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, and quality assurance principles

• Comfort with training, mentoring, and technical troubleshooting

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Visio and MS Project a plus

Work Environment & Conditions:

• May involve extended shifts, weekend/holiday coverage, and on-call duties

• Occasional work in cold rooms and freezers

• Regular exposure to bloodborne pathogens and lab chemicals

• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs and push up to 60 lbs

• Requires close attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience (Pay range included per WA law)

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (family coverage available)

• 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans

• 4.8 – 6.8 weeks of paid time off per year (based on tenure)

• Backup childcare program, public transit subsidy, and educational reimbursement

• Relocation bonus available for eligible out-of-area hires*

*Conditions apply

Apply now to lead a high-impact team in one of the most respected reference labs in the Pacific Northwest.