Ultrasound Technologist (Full time, Days)

Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values

Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,200 team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors. 

Position Summary 

The Ultrasound Technologist reports to the Ultrasound Supervisor and is responsible for performing high-quality diagnostic ultrasound examinations in a hospital setting. This position provides direct patient care across inpatient, outpatient, emergency, surgical, and procedural areas; operates ultrasound equipment according to established protocols; obtains diagnostic images for physician interpretation; and collaborates with radiologists, providers, nursing, and other members of the care team to support timely, safe, and patient-centered care.

Essential Position Responsibilities 

• Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations in accordance with provider orders, department protocols, regulatory requirements, and established standards of practice.
• Review patient history, clinical indications, prior imaging, and exam orders to confirm appropriateness, medical necessity, and correct patient, procedure, and site prior to imaging.
• Prepare patients for ultrasound procedures by explaining the exam, answering questions within scope of practice, positioning patients appropriately, and maintaining patient privacy, comfort, and safety.
• Operate, adjust, and troubleshoot ultrasound equipment to obtain high-quality diagnostic images while applying appropriate scanning techniques, image optimization, and anatomical knowledge.
• Perform a variety of general, vascular, obstetric, gynecologic, abdominal, small parts, emergency, portable, and procedure-support ultrasound examinations based on competency, training, and department need.
• Recognize and communicate critical, urgent, or unexpected findings according to department policy and promptly escalate concerns to the radiologist, ordering provider, Ultrasound Supervisor, or appropriate clinical team member.
• Assist radiologists and providers with ultrasound-guided procedures by preparing equipment and supplies, maintaining sterile technique as applicable, supporting patient monitoring, and documenting required information.
• Accurately document exam information, patient responses, image labeling, procedure details, and required technical notes in the electronic medical record, radiology information system, and imaging systems.
• Maintain exam rooms, portable equipment, probes, supplies, and work areas in accordance with infection prevention, high-level disinfection, safety, and equipment quality standards.
• Participate in quality assurance activities, equipment performance checks, image quality review, patient safety initiatives, regulatory readiness, and continuous improvement efforts within Imaging Services.
• Support department operations by assisting with workflow coordination, training and precepting team members or students as assigned, covering hospital and outpatient imaging needs, and participating in weekend, holiday, shift, and call coverage as required.

Qualifications 

• Education: Graduate of an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program or equivalent ultrasound training and clinical experience required.
• Licensure and Certifications: ARDMS certification required or must be obtained within the timeframe established by department policy. Current BLS/CPR certification required. Additional specialty registries may be required or preferred based on assigned modality, service line, or department need.
• Experience: One year of ultrasound experience in an acute care hospital, emergency, or outpatient imaging setting preferred. Experience with general, vascular, obstetric, gynecologic, procedural, and portable ultrasound examinations preferred.
• Other Position Requirements: Must demonstrate strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, communication skills, teamwork, patient service, and the ability to prioritize multiple exams and patient care needs in a fast-paced hospital environment.

Work Environment: This position primarily functions in hospital imaging, inpatient nursing, emergency, procedural, and outpatient care areas. The position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, transferring, and positioning patients and equipment. The position may require lifting, pushing, pulling, and/or carrying up to 50 lbs. and assisting with patients or equipment of greater weight with appropriate support. This position may be exposed to communicable diseases, blood, body fluids, cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, and other hazards common to a hospital imaging environment. This position may require participation in rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage based on department needs.