IT Manager (Laboratory Information System)

Role & responsibilities

Role Purpose

The IT Manager (LIS) owns the reliability, integrity, and continuous improvement of the Laboratory Information System and all connected diagnostic IT infrastructure across the lab network. The role ensures that patient samples, test orders, results, and reports flow accurately and securely from registration through analyzer integration to validated report release with the uptime, data integrity, and audit readiness demanded of an accredited pathology laboratory.

This is a hands-on managerial role bridging clinical/laboratory operations and technology: translating the needs of pathologists, technicians, and front-office staff into a stable, compliant, and scalable IT platform.

Key Responsibilities

LIS Administration & Operations

• Own end-to-end administration of the LIS master data (test catalogue, reference ranges, panels, TAT rules), workflows, user roles, and access controls.
• Configure and maintain test ordering, sample accessioning/barcoding, worklists, result entry, auto-verification rules, and report templates.
• Manage the result validation and auto-authorization logic in partnership with pathologists and quality teams.
• Ensure accurate report generation, formatting, digital signatures, and multi-channel delivery (print, portal, WhatsApp/email, API to referrers).

Analyzer & System Integration

• Plan, implement, and maintain bidirectional interfaces between the LIS and laboratory analyzers (haematology, biochemistry, immunoassay, microbiology, molecular) using HL7 and ASTM protocols and middleware.
• Manage integrations with HIS/HMS, RIS/PACS (where radiology is in scope), billing/ERP, CRM, patient portals, and referral/B2B partner systems.
• Own the interface engine/middleware monitoring, error queues, message reprocessing, and troubleshooting failed transactions.

Infrastructure, Uptime & Business Continuity

• Ensure high availability of LIS servers, databases, networks, and endpoints across the central lab and connected centres.
• Define and enforce backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures; test restores regularly and maintain documented RPO/RTO targets.
• Manage capacity, performance tuning, patching, and lifecycle of servers, databases, and end-user devices (printers, barcode scanners, label printers, workstations).
• Oversee network connectivity (LAN/WAN/VPN) between collection centres, processing hubs, and the datacentre/cloud.

Information Security, Data Privacy & Compliance

• Enforce access control, audit trails, encryption, and data-retention policies for patient health information.
• Maintain compliance alignment with NABL, applicable data-protection law (India's DPDP Act), and, where relevant, HIPAA/GDPR for international referrers.
• Support internal and external audits produce audit trails, validation records, and change-control documentation on demand.
• Lead LIS validation and change management: document, test, and sign off all configuration and version changes.

Vendor, Project & Team Management

• Manage LIS vendor(s), AMC/SLA performance, upgrades, and the escalation of critical issues.
• Lead IT projects new module rollouts, centre onboarding, analyzer additions, portal/app enhancements — on time and within budget.
• Build and mentor the IT/LIS support team; define on-call rotation and first/second-line support processes.
• Prepare IT budgets, track licences and assets, and recommend technology investments.

Support & Continuous Improvement

• Own the IT service desk for lab and front-office staff; ensure fast resolution of LIS and infrastructure incidents.
• Analyse recurring issues and drive automation, workflow optimisation, and TAT improvements.
• Train new users and maintain SOPs, configuration documentation, and knowledge base.

Preferred candidates skills :-

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Biomedical Informatics, or a related field. (Master's / MBA in IT or Health Informatics preferred.)
• 6–10 years of IT experience, with at least 3–4 years directly administering or implementing a Laboratory Information System in a pathology/diagnostics or hospital lab environment.
• Proven experience integrating laboratory analyzers via HL7/ASTM and managing interface middleware.
• Demonstrated experience running IT operations across a multi-site / networked lab or hospital setup.
• Team leadership and vendor-management experience.

Preferred / Advantageous

• Experience with a major LIS/diagnostics platform (e.g., CrelioHealth, LabGuru)
• Exposure to NABL accreditation cycles and computer-system validation.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure) and modern patient-engagement channels (portals, apps, API integrations).

Technical & Functional Skills

Core technical

• LIS administration and configuration; test/master-data management and report design.
• HL7, ASTM, and interface-engine/middleware troubleshooting; analyzer connectivity.
• Database administration and querying (SQL Server / MySQL / PostgreSQL); backup and recovery.
• Networking fundamentals (LAN/WAN/VPN), Windows server administration, and endpoint management.
• Information security controls, access management, and audit-trail administration.

Domain / functional

• Understanding of pathology laboratory workflows — pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical, and TAT drivers.
• Familiarity with accreditation and data-privacy requirements (NABL/ISO 15189, DPDP Act).
• Data integrity, change control, and validation discipline.

Behavioural / leadership

• Strong problem-solving under pressure with a 247 operations mindset.
• Clear communication with clinical, technical, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ownership, reliability,and attention to detail — patient-safety-critical judgement.
• Team leadership,coaching, and vendor negotiation.