Medical Director, Laboratory

ICON Clinical Research; Dublin; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading clinical research organization in Dublin seeks a Medical Director for a High Complexity Clinical Laboratory. This role includes overseeing laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, leading quality assurance initiatives, and staff development. The ideal candidate has an MD or DO degree, is board-certified in Pathology, and has over 5 years of experience in clinical laboratories. ICON offers competitive benefits emphasizing well-being and work-life balance.

Benefits

Annual leave entitlements

Health insurance offerings

Retirement planning

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in high-complexity clinical laboratory.
• 2+ years in a medical director role.
• Proven track record of compliance with regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance for laboratory testing.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and maintain accreditation.
• Recruit and train laboratory staff.
• Lead quality assurance programs.

Skills

Clinical oversight

Regulatory compliance

Staff training

Quality assurance

Education

MD or DO degree

Board-certified in Pathology

Job description

Overview

Medical Director, Ireland

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development.

Medical Director, ICL

Role

As the Medical Director of a High Complexity Clinical Laboratory, you are responsible for the overall oversight, management, and direction of medical and scientific aspects of the laboratory operations. This role ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements, guides clinical decision-making, and ensures that the laboratory’s testing services meet the highest standards of quality and patient care. Of note, many of the operational roles listed below can be delegated. Those that cannot be delegated, such as the Annual Safety Inspection and the review of Proficiency, must be performed by the Medical Director.

Responsibilities

• Medical Oversight & Leadership:
  • Provide clinical oversight and medical guidance for laboratory testing, ensuring all results and diagnoses are accurate and medically appropriate.
  • Oversee the laboratory’s clinical activities to ensure patient safety and proper diagnostic procedures.
  • Interpret test results, provide clinical consultation, and collaborate with other healthcare providers on test selections, result interpretations, and treatment plans.
  • Stay informed about new medical advancements, technologies, and testing methodologies relevant to high-complexity clinical laboratories.
• Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation:
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, including CLIA, CAP, and Joint Commission standards.
  • Maintain laboratory accreditation by ensuring adherence to appropriate guidelines and policies.
  • Prepare for and lead regulatory inspections and audits.
  • Establish and enforce policies for quality control, quality assurance, and proficiency testing.
• Staff Development & Training:
  • Oversee the recruitment, training, and performance evaluation of laboratory personnel.
  • Provide medical and scientific training to laboratory staff and ensure they are up to date with current best practices.
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and high-quality patient care among laboratory personnel.
• Quality Assurance & Improvement:
  • Lead the implementation and oversight of quality assurance programs and initiatives such as the ICL Global QC Harmonization scheme and the monthly monitoring of KPI’s at each lab.
  • Monitor laboratory performance and implement improvements based on data-driven insights.
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective action plans in response to any non-conformance, errors, or patient safety incidents.
  • Lead risk management efforts, including identifying and mitigating risks related to laboratory testing, patient safety, and data integrity.
  • Develop and implement protocols for addressing adverse events or near-miss incidents in the laboratory.
• Clinical Consultation & Collaboration:
  • Provide scientific, technical and/or medical expertise to other departments within ICON laboratories, including the specialty laboratory, project management, and business development departments. This expertise includes the interpretation, correlation and communication of the medical significance of laboratory data.
  • Provide professional, scientific, consultative or advisory, organizational, administrative and educational matters relevant to the services offered.
• Operational Leadership:
  • Work with laboratory leadership to develop strategies and goals for the laboratory’s operation and growth.
  • Assist in resource allocation, budgeting, and financial planning for the laboratory, ensuring efficient use of resources while maintaining high-quality services.
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies and laboratory equipment to improve testing services.
  • Recognize, exemplify and adhere to ICON's values which center on our commitment to People, Clients and Performance.
  • Travel up to 15% of the time.
  • Able to discharge the responsibilities described in Part 19.3 (1), (1) through (11) of 10 NYCRR and CAP requirements as stated in the Laboratory Director Assessment Inspection Checklist.

Education & Experience

• Education:
  • MD or DO degree with a valid and unrestricted U.S. medical license.
  • Board-certified in Pathology, Clinical Pathology, or another relevant specialty (e.g., Medical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry).
  • Additional qualifications or certifications in laboratory medicine are preferred (e.g., Clinical Laboratory Director certification).
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a high-complexity clinical laboratory, with at least 2 years in a medical director role.
  • Proven track record of compliance with regulatory standards and accreditation processes (e.g., ISO15189, CLIA, CAP).
  • Experience in leading quality assurance, quality control, and patient safety programs.

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications for the Medical Director of a High Complexity Clinical Laboratory. Duties may evolve over time, and additional responsibilities may be added as needed.

Benefits

ICON offers a range of benefits and explains that benefits are competitive within each country, focusing on well-being and work-life balance. Benefits examples include:

• Various annual leave entitlements
• A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
• Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
• Global Employee Assistance Programme, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent professionals who support you and your family’s well-being.
• Life assurance
• Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, health assessments, among others.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

ICON is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here.

Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.

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