Starting a Laboratory
Independent Reference + Physician Office Labs
Looking into starting a laboratory testing business but not sure where to begin?
Lighthouse Lab Services has the expertise to get your lab running in as little as 90 days. Whether you are building a lab from the ground up, adding new lines of testing, or simply adding testing capacity – we’re here to help!
The nation’s leading medical laboratory consulting and recruiting firm
Offering unparalleled experience, with regards to starting a laboratory, Lighthouse Lab Services is a trusted partner of clinical and pathology labs across the country.
300+
Laboratories Built
150+
Lighthouse’s Industry Experts
2,000+
Laboratory Clients
200+
Laboratories Managed
Types of Laboratories We Help to Start
Hospital Labs
Toxicology Drug Testing
Pharmacogenomics
Infectious Disease
Molecular Diagnostics
Genetic Labs
Allergy Labs
Our Six-Step Startup Process
Starting a medical laboratory is never easy. Fortunately, Lighthouse Lab Services provides the expertise and startup procedures to make this process easier and more efficient. We have a proven step-by-step method that will take you from concept to completion. When you work with Lighthouse Lab Services, your team will start with:
Initial Consultation
Once we hear your plan and assess your start-up needs, we will build a project plan and timeline tailored for your laboratory.
Resources Allotment
Our team of consultants will create test menus, choose your instrumentation and software, detail the supplies you will need, and help you select a laboratory location that is right for your lab’s needs.
Credentialing
Our team at Lighthouse will take the lead with processing and enrollment for required CLIA certificates and any required state licensing.
Staffing
We will help you build a team of qualified laboratory professionals so you are completely staffed. From medical lab technicians to lab directors, we will provide the best quality perm or temp candidates in the timeliest manner.
Implementation
Our team will assist in writing standard operation procedures (SOPs), method development, and/or validation of the equipment. We will make sure your staff is trained on how to run specimens properly.
Go-Live
Ready for launch! We’ll help you begin operations and ensure your lab is ready for initial inspections. Unlike other companies, we also offer continued support for three years as your lab runs and grows.
Get Started with Your Physician Office Laboratory
Owning a medical laboratory is a rewarding venture, but getting there takes knowledge and experience. Our team of over 250 industry experts is dedicated to successfully launching your new clinical or pathology laboratory.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Our Technical Consulting
Management Team
Our Team is highly qualified across various specialties within the medical laboratory industry. They will guide your lab throughout the process and ensure the technical and scientific aspects of your lab meet compliance standards.
Chief Consulting Officer
Megan White Younts
Megan brings over a decade of industry experience in laboratory operations and management, with biology, toxicology, and entomology degrees. She has personally overseen the build-out, and go-live of more than 50 toxicology and 60 molecular laboratories in more than 30 states across the nation.
Chief Technical Officer
Dr. Sarah Harris, PhD, TC(NRCC)
Dr. Sarah Harris managed daily laboratory operations for a leading national reference lab processing more than 50,000 samples per month. She also oversaw the development and implementation of methodologies for clinical testing that reduced costs by more than 20%.
Director of Consulting
Matt Thacker
Senior Project Manager
Jo Radu
Megan White Younts
Chief Consulting Officer
Megan brings more than a decade of industry experience in laboratory operations and management and has personally overseen the up-fit, build-out, and go-live of more than 50 toxicology and 60 molecular laboratories in more than 30 states across the nation.
Megan has degrees in biology, toxicology, and entomology and is currently completing an MS program in Toxicology at the University of Florida.
Dr. Sarah Harris, PhD, TC(NRCC)
Chief Technical Officer
Dr. Harris managed daily laboratory operations for a leading national reference laboratory processing more than 50,000 samples per month at its peak. Dr. Harris also oversaw the development and implementation of methodologies for clinical testing that reduced costs by more than 20% and resulted in a decrease in average turnaround by more than 25%.
Dr. Harris earned her B.S. in chemistry from St. Norbert College and a master’s degree from Notre Dame before earning a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt Thacker
Director of Consulting
Matt has 5 years of research and 9 years of clinical laboratory experience ranging from high throughput testing to specialized laboratory developed testing. He is experienced in laboratory design and facilities, lab information and billing systems, laboratory automation, and a host of laboratory processes.
Matt has been involved in over 75 lab builds from scratch ranging from fully automated high-capacity molecular builds to single tech in-office labs.
Jo Radu
Senior Project Manager
Jo brings over a decade of expertise in laboratory business and operational management. With a strong academic background in the businesses and sciences, Jo excels in her Senior Project Management role focusing on lab start-ups and expanding clinical testing to existing labs.
Jo’s exceptional leadership skills, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of laboratory operations, ensure she delivers results effectively. Jo has a BS in Biology, an MS in Clinical Biochemistry, and certifications in business development.