Laboratory Director

Role Definition

The Laboratory Director, heading the Center of Excellence (COE) in Laboratory Medicine, is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all laboratory medicine services, including Clinical Pathology, Hematology, and Biochemistry. The role ensures business enablement, diagnostic accuracy, quality assurance, operational efficiency, clinician engagement, and technical team development. It involves high-level expert consultation, end-to-end laboratory operations management, adherence to regulatory and NABL/ISO standards, and strategic collaboration with clinicians and healthcare providers to strengthen market leadership.

Role Deliverables

• Business Enablement – Drive scientific and commercial growth of laboratory medicine services.
• Diagnostic Accuracy & TAT Adherence – Ensure 100% accurate and clinically correlated reporting within committed turnaround times.
• Laboratory Operations Management – Oversee Central and Regional Labs for optimal efficiency, cost control, and resource management.
• Helpdesk Management – Ensure seamless resolution of clinician and branch queries with technical authority.
• Clinician Engagement & Scientific Consultation – Build scientific credibility and strengthen clinician partnerships.
• Quality Management & Compliance – Achieve and maintain NABL/ISO compliance with robust internal and external quality programs.
• People Leadership – Build, mentor, and lead high-performing technical teams with a strong performance and learning culture.
  
  

Task And Activities

Business Enablement:

• Drive revenue growth through strategic business development initiatives.
• Collaborate with business teams to enhance partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.
• Act as a medical advisor to key clinicians and healthcare institutions. Engage in scientific marketing, RTMs, CMEs, industry events, and expert consultation to expand diagnostic services.
• Provide high-level consultation to referring physicians and healthcare professionals to enhance patient management. Respond to technical queries, critical value discussions, and interpretation requests from doctors.
• Collaborate with business development to address technical queries from partner hospitals and doctors.
• Collaborate with Marketing for CME content, diagnostic bulletins, and clinician awareness programs.
• Assess the relevance and volume of current test panels; recommend test menu enhancements based on market and medical needs.
  
  

Diagnostic Accuracy & TAT Adherence

• Monitor end-to-end sample workflows for Biochemistry, Hematology, Immunology, and Clinical Pathology.
• Personally validate critical reports and ensure proper clinical correlation before release.
• Conduct daily delta checks, histogram reviews, and trend analysis for critical parameters.
• Identify bottlenecks and ensure 99%+ TAT adherence, coordinating with logistics and operations teams
  
  

Laboratory Operations Management

• Implement the laboratory policies, procedures, and quality control protocols as aligned with the Medical Directorate.
• Oversee daily operations of Central and Regional Laboratories, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance. Ensure the accuracy of diagnostic tests and reports.
• Manage the laboratory resources, including equipment, reagents and other supplies.
• Manage the laboratory’s financials, including budgeting and cost control. Monitor financial performance indicators and implement corrective actions as needed
  
  

Quality Management And Compliance

• Conduct daily quality management practices across Central and Regional Laboratories to meet regulatory requirements. Ensure daily internal QC, EQAS, and LIMS-based control validations are completed and signed off. Manage the Internal audits and participate in external quality assurance programs to ensure compliance.
• Monitor delta checks, critical value communication, and compliance with QC protocols
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) based on audit findings and quality assessments.
• Ensure SOPs, checklists, and dashboards are updated on real time basis.
• Coordinate with the QC Team to monitor and enhance quality control measures. Report quality indicators trends in monthly meetings and track improvements
  
  

Helpdesk Management

• Lead the Laboratory Helpdesk team and serve as the primary point of contact for resolving technical queries from branches and clinicians. Ensure seamless communication and issue resolution within defined SLAs.
• Manage escalations related to test results, patient concerns, and clinician inquiries. Develop and implement protocols to handle service-related complaints effectively.
  
  

People Leadership

• Recruit, train, and supervise technical teams. Set an individual role clarity, roster with each team member aligned with the laboratory objectives.
• Conduct daily huddles with the team to discuss ongoing activities and address any issues. Hold weekly meetings with the team to discuss operational performance indicators and lead measures.
• Conduct monthly 1:1 meetings with direct repartees to review progress on KPIs and plan the way ahead. Document and share feedback with each team member.
• Assess individual ASK (Attitude, Skills, Knowledge) on a quarterly basis and manage the learning of the team in collaboration with the HR team to enhance skills and drive career paths.
• Monthly recognize and reward high performance and initiate improvement plans where necessary. Achieve the People Score of 90.
  
  

Success Metrics

• 100% achievement of strategic goals (Revenue & Profitability)
• 100% accuracy rate in diagnostic tests and reports.
• 100% timely delivery of diagnostic results within established turnaround times
• 90% achievement of Quality indicators
• Adhere to a budget with no more than 2% variance.
• Customer feedback score of 4.8 or higher.
• Monthly RTM/ CME/ Clinician engagement activity as per calendar
• 100% compliance in NABL audits, IQC, EQAS
  
  

Requirements ::

• D/DNB in Pathology, with additional training/fellowship in Hematopathology or Laboratory Medicine preferred.
• 12–15 years of post-MD experience, including 5+ years in leadership of multi-specialty diagnostic labs with NABL/ISO audit exposure.
• Proficiency in Clinical Pathology, Hematology, Biochemistry, LIMS, quality protocols (IQC/EQAS), and advanced diagnostic technologies.
• Strong clinician engagement, team mentoring, strategic decision-making, and business-aligned diagnostic leadership.