MELYNEE J. GALLEGOS
Haymarket,VA
Summary
Strategic and hands-on operations leader with over 16 years of experience managing and implementing projects, focused on quality improvements in clinical diagnostics, regulatory compliance and team leadership. Subject matter expert in leading highperforming teams, implementing quality management systems, and aligning lab practices with external partners, providers and diverse medical professionals. Proven success in integrating quality improvement initiatives, project management, and focusing on personnel education programs and training. Key leader in setting quality reporting and auditing standards, coordinating audits on reporting for multimillion dollar accounts. Recognized for promoting operational excellence, employee engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Laboratory Operations Manager
UVA Community Health
Haymarket, VA
08.2022 - 04.2025
- Project management, clinical quality management, report auditing, data analysis and data analytics build.
- Laboratory leader responsible for staffing, budgeting, compliance, policy auditing, and regulatory requirements.
- Team leader collaborating and working together with 22 direct report professionals.
- Worked together with a diverse leadership team in the transition of UVA Health lab services: retraining staff, setting QC protocols, aligning processes, updating policy and practice.
- Developed and maintained a high-quality comprehensive lab dashboard across all sites.
- Completed multiple inspection cycles with minimal deficiencies ensuring adherence to CAP, CLIA, TJC, and internal quality standards through continuous review and audits.
- Pioneered efficiencies with process improvement.
- Collaborated as a strategic liaison across departments and vendor partners to develop a deeply connected lab service integration effort.
Laboratory Operations Manager
Kaiser Permanente
Mclean, VA
02.2018 - 07.2022
- Led technical, clinical, and operational functions of the laboratory; ensured safe, efficient, and compliant services.
- Administered budget planning, contract cost control, and capital equipment procurement. Aligning budget with productivity and staffing workload.
- Partnered with diverse healthcare professionals, including pathologists, internal departments, and regional leadership to present initiatives for improving health practices.
- Designed and evaluated lab processes for quality, reliability and consistency across all testing areas. Increasing STAT turnaround time cumulative by 10%.
- Oversaw regulatory and accreditation readiness: CAP, COLA, OSHA, CMS.
- Managed hiring, training, performance reviews, and career development for lab staff. Improved employee engagement by 20%.
- Facilitated integration of regional strategies and laboratory service innovations. Including design and integration of creative solutions for patient safety and testing during COVID.
Laboratory Technical Advisor
Physicians Automated Laboratory
Bakersfield, CA
08.2008 - 06.2017
- Supervised daily diagnostic testing and ensured compliance with CAP and CLIA standards.
- Maintained documentation and Regulatory Testing and Licensure.
- Managed instrument validation, Laboratory move, QC tracking (Unity), and audit documentation.
- Maintained infectious disease reporting procedures and updated lab manuals.
- Performed pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing. Including Chemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Hematology, Coagulation, Immunohematology, and Urinalysis.
- Assisted in improving sample processing, reference testing and specimen management.
- Worked with leadership and patients ensuring quality and safety regulations are met.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Tehachapi Valley Healthcare
Tehachapi, CA
02.2009 - 10.2014
- Uphold specimen integrity for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing.
- Performed accurate specimen collection, including phlebotomy procedures, as well as labeling, handling, preservation, preparation, transportation, and storage of specimens.
- Maintain full compliance with HIPAA and other confidentiality guidelines, ensuring patient privacy is consistently protected.
- Prioritize lab orders effectively (STAT, ASAP, routine, timed studies) and perform tests across multiple disciplines including chemistry, hematology, blood bank, microbiology, coagulation and urinalysis.
- Followed policies, performing and documenting quality control and patient results.
- Reviewed and evaluated the accuracy of test results, for instrumentation and sample interdependencies.
- Communicated critical values and results to clinicians in a timely manner.
- Performed equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration to ensure safe and efficient laboratory operations.
- Managed inventory of reagents, supplies, and equipment, ensuring all materials are properly stocked and available for testing.
- Documented and reported adverse events to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
California State University
01.2008
Skills
- Laboratory Operations Management
- Regulatory Compliance (CAP, COLA, CLIA, CMS, OSHA)
- Staff Leadership & Development
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Budgeting & Financial Management
- Quality Assurance & Accreditation
- Process Improvement
- Project & Change Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Patient & Staff Safety
- EPIC
- EProcurement
- Sunquest
- Sysmex
- Stago Expert
- Blood Hub
- Alcor
- Kronos
- Alcor QC Dashboard
- Quantum
- Lab Link
- Unity
- Media Lab
- People Soft
- Technopath
- Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- Electronic Health Record
- Data Analysis & Dashboard Reporting Tools
Websites
Certification
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP), MLS (ASCP)cm #261993, 11/2026
- California Laboratory Scientist, MTA00043282
Accomplishments
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Kaiser Permanente, 2020
- Associate Improvement Advisor, Kaiser Permanente, 2020
- KPLU Activate Leader, Kaiser Permanente, 2021
- Recognition for creative system build, Improving Attendance Documentation, Kaiser Permanente, 2019
Leadership Qualities
- Employee Engagement
- Staff Education
- Team Collaboration
- Time Management
- Project Leadership
- Staff alignment with company's mission and value statements.
Timeline
Laboratory Operations Manager
UVA Community Health
08.2022 - 04.2025
Laboratory Operations Manager
Kaiser Permanente
02.2018 - 07.2022
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Tehachapi Valley Healthcare
02.2009 - 10.2014
Laboratory Technical Advisor
Physicians Automated Laboratory
08.2008 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science - Biology
California State University