Head, Medical Laboratory - Abuja

Head, Medical Laboratory - Abuja

Industry: Medical / Healthcare / Hospital
Location: Maitama, Abuja
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Clinical Director
Salary: ₦700,000 – ₦800,000 Gross Monthly
Experience: Minimum of 10 years' post-NYSC experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or laboratory management role.

Position Overview

Our client, a leading healthcare institution in Abuja, is seeking to engage a highly experienced and strategic Head, Medical Laboratory to provide leadership and operational oversight for its laboratory services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and high-quality diagnostic services while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, quality management systems, and international best practices. This role requires a visionary leader with extensive experience in laboratory operations, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, team leadership, and healthcare service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall management of the Medical Laboratory Department, ensuring efficient, effective, and patient-centered laboratory operations.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise all laboratory activities to ensure the delivery of accurate, timely, and reliable diagnostic services.
• Develop, implement, review, and enforce laboratory policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational standards in compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Ensure compliance with the standards and regulations of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Establish, monitor, and continuously improve Quality Management Systems (QMS), Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and laboratory accreditation programmes.
• Lead, mentor, supervise, and evaluate laboratory personnel, ensuring competency, licensing compliance, continuous professional development, and high performance.
• Oversee laboratory workflow, resource allocation, and operational efficiency to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
• Manage laboratory equipment, including procurement, installation, maintenance, calibration, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Oversee inventory management for laboratory reagents, consumables, and supplies to maintain adequate stock levels and minimize operational downtime.
• Ensure strict compliance with biosafety standards, infection prevention and control protocols, hazardous waste management, and laboratory safety regulations.
• Lead laboratory risk management initiatives, incident investigations, corrective actions, and continuous quality improvement programmes.
• Prepare and manage departmental budgets, monitor operational costs, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and revenue generation.
• Collaborate effectively with clinicians and other hospital departments to enhance patient care and diagnostic outcomes.
• Provide professional consultation and technical guidance to physicians and healthcare professionals on laboratory-related matters.
• Ensure the effective utilization of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), Hospital Information Systems (HIS), and other healthcare technologies.
• Coordinate internal training, competency assessments, and continuing professional development programmes for laboratory staff.
• Ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations, including emergency preparedness and after-hours service coverage.
• Prepare periodic departmental reports, quality indicators, performance metrics, and management reports.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, ethical practice, innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional patient care.

Qualifications & Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) or Associate Medical Laboratory Science (AMLS).
• Full registration and a valid practising licence issued by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) .
• A Master's degree or Fellowship in Healthcare Management, Laboratory Management, Public Health, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' post-NYSC experience in a hospital or medical diagnostic laboratory.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior leadership or laboratory management position .
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary laboratory teams and complex diagnostic operations.

Required Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of medical laboratory operations, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Expertise in Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), laboratory accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Proficiency in Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), Hospital Information Systems (HIS), and related healthcare technologies.
• Strong understanding of laboratory equipment management, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Budget preparation, financial management, and resource optimization.
• Excellent knowledge of biosafety, infection prevention and control, and laboratory risk management.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
• Strategic thinking and operational planning abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational and administrative capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to quality, accuracy, and patient safety.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage emergencies.

Why Join Our Client?

• Competitive gross monthly salary of ₦700,000 – ₦800,000 .
• Opportunity to lead a modern, high-performing medical laboratory.
• Career growth and continuous professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates should send their CV to Show email using "Head, Medical Laboratory – Abuja" as the subject of the email.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.