Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona is recruiting a Specimen Processing Coordinator to lead front-end (pre-analytic) laboratory operations at a Level I Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center with a broad acute care service line. This supervisory role oversees phlebotomy, specimen processing, send-out/referred testing, and the lab assistants and non-technical support staff who execute those workflows. The position sits within a well-established, 60-plus-year institution that houses the Carondelet Neurological Institute and the Carondelet Joint Replacement Center, offering a clinically rich environment for a laboratory professional ready to step into operational leadership.
Perks and Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Oversees all front-end (pre-analytic) laboratory operations: phlebotomy, specimen collection, specimen processing, and send-out/referred testing
- Directly responsible for quality and quantity of work performed by phlebotomists, lab assistants, and non-technical support staff
- Manages all aspects of reference lab and send-out testing programs
- Applies process improvement methodologies to monitor and advance Laboratory Services goal attainment
- Interfaces with internal and external customers and stakeholders — including clinical departments, clients, and HR — to resolve concerns in accordance with laboratory and institutional policy
- Exercises conflict resolution across departmental and inter-functional lines; diplomacy, tact, and active listening are core daily competencies
- Utilizes computer applications with emphasis on word processing and spreadsheet platforms to support operational documentation and reporting
- Operates within a Level I Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and full-service acute care campus that includes cardiology, orthopedics, labor and delivery, and emergency medicine service lines
- Affiliated with the Carondelet Neurological Institute and the Carondelet Joint Replacement Center — high-acuity referral programs that drive complex specimen volume
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of phlebotomy or specimen processing (pre-analytic) experience with progressively increasing responsibility in an acute care facility
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Phlebotomy certification required where mandated by state law
- Preferred: completion of a formal phlebotomy training program and/or national phlebotomy certification through ASCP, ANP, ASPT, or a comparable credentialing body
- Demonstrated analytical ability to interpret policy, define procedures, and apply sound judgment across multiple operational options
- Working knowledge of laboratory operations and processes, including pre-analytic workflows, specimen collection protocols, and reference lab management
About the Community
Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city, set against the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert and ringed by five mountain ranges — a landscape that draws outdoor enthusiasts year-round with hiking, cycling, and climbing within minutes of the city. The University of Arizona anchors a vibrant cultural and academic scene, while Tucson's cost of living remains meaningfully lower than Phoenix or the California metros. With 350-plus days of sunshine annually, strong public and private school options, and a diverse, welcoming community, Tucson is a compelling destination for healthcare professionals seeking quality of life alongside serious clinical work.