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Manager, Immunohematology Reference Laboratory

American Red Cross · Chicago, IL · $119,000–$142,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you developed a technologist into a stronger serologist.

What they are checking: Whether they invest in building advanced skills across the team instead of relying on a few experts.

Tell me about a process improvement you led in a laboratory.

What they are checking: Whether they use data and staff input to improve workflow, quality or turnaround in the lab.

How do you keep morale up in a lab that handles stressful, urgent cases?

What they are checking: Whether they support staff through pressure so people stay accurate and stay with the team.

What would you do

A technologist makes an error that reaches a hospital report. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they handle the deviation openly, notify properly, and fix the process without simply blaming the person.

Hospitals want faster answers, but a case needs more testing. How do you communicate with them?

What they are checking: Whether they keep hospital customers informed and give interim guidance without cutting corners on testing.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd lead the lab through a complex antibody workup that's holding up blood for a patient.

What they are checking: Whether they can guide difficult serologic investigations while keeping turnaround tight for hospitals waiting on blood.

How do you make sure the IRL stays inspection-ready for FDA and AABB at all times?

What they are checking: Whether they run quality and compliance as daily habits rather than scrambling before an inspection.

How do you staff a reference lab so complex cases can be handled around the clock?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan coverage and cross-training so expertise is available on every shift.

How do you manage reagent inventory, including rare antisera and reagent red cells?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for scarce, expensive supplies so testing is never stopped by a shortage.

How do you handle a new validation for an instrument or test method?

What they are checking: Whether they understand validation requirements and documentation in a regulated blood services lab.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by American Red Cross.

Please use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox when accessing Candidate Home. By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network? Join us—Where your Career is a Force for Good! Job Description: Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else – it’s as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better. When you choose to be a force for good, you’ll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life’s work with an ongoing mission that’s bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you’re cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work. Where Your Career is a Force for Good! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Manage and control all daily laboratory operations, including all laboratory staff, budget, environment, and work processes. Assure compliance with safety policies and procedures in the work area. Demonstrate excellent customer service, interpersonal skills, and positive professional image. Assume responsibility for the laboratories compliance with standard operating procedures and interpretation of test results in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. Provide support, development and/or leadership guidance to all volunteers. WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE GOOD Key Responsibilities: • Responsible for the management of laboratory staff including, but not limited to, hiring, training, coaching, evaluating and disciplining to ensure a well-qualified team and to enhance operational success. In conjunction with the Medical Director, provide guidance to ensure appropriate patient care. • Ensures the IRL participation in the American Rare Donor Program and Diagnostics Manufacturing Division. • Serve as a resource for supervisors for complex technical issues. • May perform and interpret basic and complex donor and/or patient testing procedures and complete required quality control, as appropriate to state and federal regulations. Recognize testing irregularities, identify the cause, determine the solution and resolve the problem. • May oversee planning process and ensure that long range goals are established for laboratory supervisory staff; ensure staffing needs are met • Ensure all regulatory compliance in area or responsibility, as well as initiate actions to foster a quality driven environment, while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. • Ensure laboratory training is completed in compliance with established guidelines; may write, organize and maintain departmental procedure manual. • Perform other related duties as necessary. • Standard Schedule: Day shift The compensation range for this position is: $ 119K-$142K/year. Note that American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. This job will be posted for a minimum of five day and extended if the applicant pool needs to be expanded. This role may be eligible for relocation assistance WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED: • Bachelor’s degree in a Biological Science or related field and SBB (ASCP) certification or equivalent required. • Minimum 6 years of directly related experience including 2 years laboratory experience in high complex immunohematology testing or equivalent combination of education and related experience required. • 3 years of management in an IRL or equivalent hospital setting. • Skills & Abilities: Effective communication and interpersonal skills required. Customer Focus, teamwork and collaboration ensure customer satisfaction and maximize internal/external relationships. • Effective presentation Skills with a variety of internal/external individuals and groups. • Possesses active and attentive listening considering all opinions. Ability to effectively set priorities and apply sound judgement to eliminates roadblocks accomplishing goals. Ability to work on a team. WHAT WILL GIVE YOU THE COMPETITIVE EDGE: • Master’s degree is a plus BENEFITS FOR YOU: As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive package includes: • Medical, Dental Vision plans • Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts • PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on type of job and tenure • Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays • 401K with up to 6% match • Paid Family Leave • Employee Assistance • Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term • Service Awards and recognition Apply now! Joining our team will provide you with the opportunity to make your career a force for good! The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. ​ Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws. AmeriCorps, the federal agency that brings people together through service, and its partners — the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance — launched Employers of National Service to connect national service alumni with opportunities in the workforce. American Red Cross is proud to be an EONS partner and share our employment opportunities with the network of organizations. Interested in Volunteering? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed volunteer positions. To view the EEOC Summary of Rights, click here: Summary of Rights

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