John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, California is recruiting a full-time Director of Laboratory to lead all clinical laboratory operations at a key campus within the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions of Southern California. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this is a senior operational and clinical leadership role with broad authority over staffing, budgeting, regulatory compliance, equipment strategy, and interdepartmental collaboration. The network's scope — including a Level 1 Trauma Center, comprehensive stroke program, cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley — means the laboratory director plays a direct role in supporting high-acuity, complex patient care.
Perks and Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits including pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, and auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Full-time, day-shift director role with system-level visibility — reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer
- Responsible for the complete scope of laboratory operations: staffing, scheduling, payroll, supply chain, equipment, regulatory compliance, and LIS monitoring
- Oversees specimen collection, processing, analysis, and result reporting workflows to ensure accuracy and turnaround efficiency
- Actively collaborates with physician and nursing staff to design and maintain rapid, meaningful test delivery systems aligned with patient care needs
- Leads ongoing review of clinical literature to evaluate and recommend new equipment and test systems that keep laboratory procedures current
- Manages budget accountability, operational reporting, and cost-effective process improvement across the department
- Provides conflict resolution and communication leadership across intra- and interdepartmental teams
- Part of the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system including a Level 1 Trauma Center, comprehensive stroke program, cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley
- Network spans Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs), JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio), and Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree)
Qualifications
- Baccalaureate degree in a related science required
- Completed internship in Clinical Laboratory Science or a laboratory specialty required
- Current, valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license issued by the California Department of Public Health required
- Minimum of 12 continuing education units per year as required by California CLS licensure
- Minimum of five years of laboratory or related management experience required
- Advanced degree in management (MBA, MHA, or equivalent) preferred
About the Community
Indio sits at the heart of the Coachella Valley in Southern California's Inland Desert — a region known for year-round sunshine, world-class golf, the internationally recognized Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, and easy access to Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino Mountains. The Coachella Valley offers a lower cost of living relative to coastal Southern California metros, with Palm Springs just minutes away and Los Angeles reachable within two hours. The area's warm climate, outdoor recreation, and vibrant arts and cultural scene make it a compelling destination for healthcare professionals seeking a high quality of life alongside meaningful clinical work.