Cancer care depends on precise, reliable laboratory services, and this role offers a unique opportunity to help build and shape the future of oncology laboratory operations at UVA Health. As the Lead Technologist specializing in the Cancer Care laboratories, you will serve as the technical expert supporting the expansion of specialized cancer laboratory services across multiple outpatient locations while helping ensure the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient care.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Medical Laboratory Professional who wants to move beyond a traditional bench role and take ownership of technical operations, instrumentation, quality, validation, and competency management across a growing cancer laboratory network. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with laboratory leadership, clinicians, and the medical director while directly contributing to the care of oncology patients throughout the region.
The Role The Laboratory Lead Technologist serves as the primary technical resource for Cancer Care Laboratories located at Emily Couric Cancer Center, Pantops, and Fishersville/Augusta. This position combines hands-on laboratory expertise, technical leadership, quality oversight, and training responsibilities in a highly collaborative patient-care environment.
During the initial growth phase, you will play a critical role in helping establish and expand laboratory operations while supporting instrumentation implementation, validation activities, and regulatory readiness. As the laboratories become fully operational, you'll continue to provide technical leadership, quality oversight, troubleshooting support, and staff development across all locations.
In this role, you will:
- Lead technical operations across multiple cancer care laboratory locations.
- Support laboratory startup, expansion, and implementation initiatives.
- Perform and oversee instrument validations, correlations, and technical assessments.
- Partner with the medical director and laboratory leadership on quality and compliance initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with CAP standards and accreditation requirements.
- Monitor quality assurance metrics and continuous improvement activities.
- Troubleshoot instrumentation, assay, workflow, and technical performance issues.
- Support onboarding, training, competency assessment, and cross-training of laboratory staff.
- Serve as a technical resource for laboratory team members and clinical partners.
- Collaborate closely with phlebotomy, courier, clinical, and Core Laboratory teams.
- Travel between laboratory locations based on operational needs.
- Remain actively engaged in daily laboratory operations while providing leadership support.
This role offers significant autonomy and is ideal for a technologist who enjoys balancing technical expertise, quality oversight, mentorship, and operational leadership while remaining connected to direct patient care support.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Bachelor's Degree with completion of a NAACLS approved MLS/CLS program; Bachelor's in Biology/Chemistry or related science
Experience: Bachelor's Degree with completion of a NAACLS approved MLS/CLS program - 3 years of relevant experience; Bachelor's in Biology/Chemistry or related science - 5 years relevant experience
Licensure: MT or categorical, ASCP or equivalent required
PHYSICAL DEMANDSJob requires sitting for prolonged periods; Repetitive motion: typing. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull less than 20lbs. May be exposed to fumes, chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.
The pay range for this role is $33.27 - $53.23 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Benefits- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Retirement Savings
- Long-term and Short-term Disability
- Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and Education Support
