Lead Laboratory Technologist - UVA Cancer Care Laboratories

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. 

Why UVA Health 

UVA Health is one of the nation's leading academic health systems, recognized for clinical excellence, innovation, research, and a commitment to advancing patient care. The Cancer Care Laboratory team plays a critical role in supporting oncology clinicians and patients through high-quality diagnostic testing that directly impacts treatment decisions and outcomes. 

What makes this opportunity especially attractive: 

• Help build and launch an expanding cancer laboratory network supporting multiple oncology care locations. 

• Serve as the technical leader for instrumentation, validation, quality, competency, and regulatory compliance. 

• Work closely with the Medical Director and experienced Core Laboratory specialists. 

• Enjoy meaningful autonomy and influence in designing technical workflows and operational best practices. 

• Gain exposure to laboratory implementation, expansion, and multi-site operations that few technologists experience during their careers. 

• Develop expertise in CAP compliance, quality management, laboratory validation, training, and competency development. 

• Collaborate directly with oncology clinicians and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. 

• Experience greater patient visibility and connection to patient outcomes than is typical in many laboratory settings. 

• Join a collaborative culture built around a patient-first mindset and continuous improvement. 

• Position yourself for future growth in laboratory leadership, quality management, technical operations, and system-wide laboratory initiatives. 

For professionals seeking a leadership opportunity that combines technical excellence, operational impact, and a meaningful connection to cancer care, this role offers an exceptional career opportunity. 

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville 

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers an outstanding quality of life for healthcare professionals and their families. Residents enjoy easy access to hiking, cycling, wineries, breweries, farmers markets, and award-winning restaurants, while also benefiting from the energy and innovation that come with being home to the University of Virginia. The region combines the amenities of a vibrant university community with the charm of a welcoming mid-sized city, offering excellent schools, strong neighborhoods, and a balance of professional opportunity and personal well-being that continues to attract professionals from across the country. 

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 DEMANDS

Job 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.

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

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.