Travel Laboratory Laboratory Manager Job
San Luis Obispo, CA
Contracted
Adventist Health- Sierra Vista
Mid Level
Step into a pivotal leadership role as a Laboratory Manager in California’s storied Central Coast, anchored in San Luis Obispo, where precision, innovation, and patient impact fuse with a lifestyle that inspires excellence. This is more than a contract—it's an opportunity to steward a high-performing laboratory team, shape quality management and regulatory compliance, and drive operational strategies that elevate care. You’ll translate scientific insight into reliable, timely results, partnering with clinicians, researchers, and support staff to standardize processes, optimize workflows, and mentor the next generation of lab professionals. In a state renowned for its coastline, redwood forests, and vibrant communities, your daily work will be complemented by a setting that invites exploration, balance, and sustained professional pride.
Location Benefits: San Luis Obispo County offers a climate that invites outdoor living, a welcoming community, and easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and scenic drives along the Pacific. The downtown area blends charming eateries, cultural events, and a strong sense of place that makes long-term residency rewarding. Beyond the Central Coast, this role provides the chance to work in various locations across the U.S., expanding your professional repertoire and exposing you to diverse laboratory environments, equipment fleets, and regulatory landscapes. You’ll gain exposure to urban centers and regional hubs alike, enriching your leadership perspective while maintaining the high quality of life that California’s coastline affords. Whether beginning your week with a coastal sunrise in Morro Bay or winding down with a sunset over vineyards and rolling hills, you’ll experience a workplace culture that harmonizes precision with the energy of exploring new places. The assignment is designed to balance stability in San Luis Obispo with opportunities to broaden your scope through ancillary assignments across the country.
Role Specifics and Benefits: As Laboratory Manager, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations of a busy clinical laboratory, ensuring specimen integrity, rigorous quality control, accurate reporting, and strict adherence to CAP, CLIA, OSHA, and internal standards. You’ll lead and develop technologists and technicians, manage staffing, scheduling, and performance evaluations, and guide continuous improvement initiatives that shorten turnaround times while preserving data quality. Responsibilities include instrument maintenance coordination, validation and adoption of new methodologies, method verification, method comparison studies, validation of Laboratory Information System integrations, and the implementation of safe, efficient workflows. You’ll manage budgets, supply chains, and vendor relationships while cultivating a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork. Growth opportunities abound as you refine leadership capabilities, broaden technical expertise, and contribute to strategic decisions that enhance patient care. We offer competitive compensation with a strong weekly range of $3,499–$3,790, and bonus programs tied to performance metrics. Housing assistance is available to ease relocation or temporary housing needs, and extension opportunities can provide continuity for ongoing projects or progressive responsibilities. The role is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for project-based extensions that align with both organizational demands and your career goals. An essential component of the package is comprehensive support, including 24/7 assistance from the company when you are traveling or coordinating multi-site efforts, ensuring you have help on call for instrument malfunctions, compliance questions, or workflow escalations. This level of support is intended to empower you to focus on technical leadership, staff development, and process optimization with confidence.
Company Values: Our client is dedicated to empowering its staff and fostering a workplace that emphasizes career advancement, mentorship, and a respectful, inclusive environment. You will be supported by a leadership team that champions ongoing training, transparent communication, and opportunities to rise into broader operational leadership roles. The culture prioritizes patient-centered care, ethical research practices, and collaborative problem solving, paired with a balanced approach that respects personal well-being and professional growth. You’ll find a culture that values curiosity, welcomes new ideas, and recognizes the pivotal role you play in shaping laboratory standards and outcomes.
Call to Action: If you’re ready to lead a critical laboratory function in a thriving California setting while gaining exposure to diverse laboratory landscapes across the country, apply now. This is a rare chance to contribute to high-stakes diagnostics, mentor a talented team, and strengthen your leadership credentials within a network that values your expertise. Start date is 02/02/2026, and the duration is measured in weeks, with weekly pay between $3,499 and $3,790. Whether you seek a bridge to permanent roles or a platform for ongoing contracts, you’ll find extensions and long-term opportunities aligned with your career ambitions and life plans. Take the next step and join a company that values your contribution and your professional development.
Note: The hours and pay rates listed are estimates and may vary. Final compensation packages and guaranteed hours will be confirmed during the hiring process.
Location Benefits: San Luis Obispo County offers a climate that invites outdoor living, a welcoming community, and easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and scenic drives along the Pacific. The downtown area blends charming eateries, cultural events, and a strong sense of place that makes long-term residency rewarding. Beyond the Central Coast, this role provides the chance to work in various locations across the U.S., expanding your professional repertoire and exposing you to diverse laboratory environments, equipment fleets, and regulatory landscapes. You’ll gain exposure to urban centers and regional hubs alike, enriching your leadership perspective while maintaining the high quality of life that California’s coastline affords. Whether beginning your week with a coastal sunrise in Morro Bay or winding down with a sunset over vineyards and rolling hills, you’ll experience a workplace culture that harmonizes precision with the energy of exploring new places. The assignment is designed to balance stability in San Luis Obispo with opportunities to broaden your scope through ancillary assignments across the country.
Role Specifics and Benefits: As Laboratory Manager, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations of a busy clinical laboratory, ensuring specimen integrity, rigorous quality control, accurate reporting, and strict adherence to CAP, CLIA, OSHA, and internal standards. You’ll lead and develop technologists and technicians, manage staffing, scheduling, and performance evaluations, and guide continuous improvement initiatives that shorten turnaround times while preserving data quality. Responsibilities include instrument maintenance coordination, validation and adoption of new methodologies, method verification, method comparison studies, validation of Laboratory Information System integrations, and the implementation of safe, efficient workflows. You’ll manage budgets, supply chains, and vendor relationships while cultivating a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork. Growth opportunities abound as you refine leadership capabilities, broaden technical expertise, and contribute to strategic decisions that enhance patient care. We offer competitive compensation with a strong weekly range of $3,499–$3,790, and bonus programs tied to performance metrics. Housing assistance is available to ease relocation or temporary housing needs, and extension opportunities can provide continuity for ongoing projects or progressive responsibilities. The role is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for project-based extensions that align with both organizational demands and your career goals. An essential component of the package is comprehensive support, including 24/7 assistance from the company when you are traveling or coordinating multi-site efforts, ensuring you have help on call for instrument malfunctions, compliance questions, or workflow escalations. This level of support is intended to empower you to focus on technical leadership, staff development, and process optimization with confidence.
Company Values: Our client is dedicated to empowering its staff and fostering a workplace that emphasizes career advancement, mentorship, and a respectful, inclusive environment. You will be supported by a leadership team that champions ongoing training, transparent communication, and opportunities to rise into broader operational leadership roles. The culture prioritizes patient-centered care, ethical research practices, and collaborative problem solving, paired with a balanced approach that respects personal well-being and professional growth. You’ll find a culture that values curiosity, welcomes new ideas, and recognizes the pivotal role you play in shaping laboratory standards and outcomes.
Call to Action: If you’re ready to lead a critical laboratory function in a thriving California setting while gaining exposure to diverse laboratory landscapes across the country, apply now. This is a rare chance to contribute to high-stakes diagnostics, mentor a talented team, and strengthen your leadership credentials within a network that values your expertise. Start date is 02/02/2026, and the duration is measured in weeks, with weekly pay between $3,499 and $3,790. Whether you seek a bridge to permanent roles or a platform for ongoing contracts, you’ll find extensions and long-term opportunities aligned with your career ambitions and life plans. Take the next step and join a company that values your contribution and your professional development.
Note: The hours and pay rates listed are estimates and may vary. Final compensation packages and guaranteed hours will be confirmed during the hiring process.
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About TLC Nursing
TLC Nursing is a nationwide travel healthcare staffing agency pairing RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and Allied Health professionals with high-quality travel and local contracts across the U.S.
ShiftShield™ – Traveler Protection
ShiftShield™ protects travelers from preventable facility-driven cancellations and ensures fair compensation for schedule disruptions.
Why Travelers Choose TLC
- Competitive weekly pay
- Fast credentialing
- 24/7 recruiter & clinical support
- Nationwide assignments
Referral Bonus
Earn up to $1,000 per referral — no employment required.
EEO Statement
TLC Nursing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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