Currently, there is a great demand for laboratory managers, with a national vacancy rate of 15%. The rapidly changing laboratory environment is constantly responding to diverging trends in healthcare. This mandates the requirement for effective management. Laboratory managers will need to create new solutions to today's problems. This book is designed to give a problem-based approach to teaching the principles of laboratory management. The focus is to present underlying managerial concepts and then assist the learner in the successful application of theoretical models to real-life situations. Each chapter includes one or more illustrative cases to present a management problem followed by thought-provoking questions to stimulate the learners critical thinking skills. In addition, each chapter contains an outline and educational objectives that can be used in teaching. Internet references and website resources permit the learner to acquire advanced and current information in each of the major topic areas. Problem-based learning activities are listed at the end of each chapter to serve as a guide for instruction and reinforcement of the content presented. Seventeen chapters are divided into five major areas of management: Basic Principles and Organizational Structure, Human Resources, Finance, Operations and Strategies for Career Success. Unique to this book is a chapter in education and training and a glossary of key terms. This new text on laboratory management will redefine the standard as both a teaching and reference text. I would like to acknowledge the support of my wonderful staff and faculty, Alicia Waiters, Joanne Manning, Audrey Ford, Cynthia Stambach, Sam Dickerson, Tom Pennington, Karen Adams, Paul Griffey, and Lisa Johnson. I would also like to thank the following reviewers for their comments and suggestions: Joan Aldrich, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Dallas, Texas; Jean Holter, EdD, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA), Professor and Program Director, West Virginia University, Medical Technology Program, Morgantown, West Virginia; Jeanne M. Isabel, MSEd, Associate Professor, Northern Illinois University, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, DeKalb, Illinois; Catherine N. Otto, PhD, MBA, CLDir(NCA), Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Leta Stewart, MS, DLM(ASCP), MT(ASCP), Director of Laboratory Services, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Rockford, Illinois. Dr. Denise M. Harmening, PhD, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA)