The posting
Values
At Birth Detroit, our mission is to midwife safe, quality, loving care through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. We envision a world where birth is safe, sacred, loving, and celebrated for everyone. Guided by our core values of Safety, Love, Trust, and Justice, we are committed to providing exceptional, respectful, and community-centered care.
Position Summary
The Ultrasound Technician provides safe, high-quality obstetric ultrasound services in alignment with Birth Detroit’s mission, values, clinical protocols, and scope of services. This role is responsible for independently performing approved obstetric ultrasound examinations, obtaining accurate and diagnostic-quality images and measurements, recognizing normal and abnormal findings, and promptly communicating clinical concerns to the appropriate provider.
The Ultrasound Technician plays an important role in creating a respectful, supportive, and client-centered experience that reflects Birth Detroit’s values of Safety, Love, Trust, and Justice. The position also contributes to clinical quality, documentation, equipment readiness, infection prevention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing quality-improvement activities.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership & Administration
- Support efficient ultrasound operations, scheduling, workflow, and client flow.
- Complete required imaging documentation accurately and within established timelines.
- Maintain organized ultrasound records, images, measurements, and related clinical documentation.
- Communicate scheduling, workflow, equipment, or operational concerns promptly to the appropriate Birth Detroit leader.
- Collaborate with the clinical team to support coordinated, timely, and client-centered care.
- Maintain ultrasound equipment and clinical spaces in a clean, organized, and ready-to-use condition.
Patient Education & Communication
- Communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately with clients throughout the ultrasound experience.
- Explain ultrasound procedures, expectations, and next steps while remaining within the sonographer’s professional scope.
- Treat every client with dignity, patience, respect, and compassion.
- Provide care consistent with Birth Detroit’s values of Safety, Love, Trust, and Justice.
- Respect client autonomy, privacy, identity, family structure, cultural background, and lived experience.
- Promptly communicate clinical concerns to the appropriate provider and escalate client concerns or complaints to leadership.
Clinical Safety and Practice
- Perform high-quality, low-risk obstetric ultrasound examinations within Birth Detroit’s approved scope of services and demonstrated competencies.
- Obtain complete, accurate, and diagnostic-quality images and measurements in accordance with established protocols.
- May include but not limited to
- Pregnancy confirmation and dating/viability ultrasounds.
- Fetal anatomy surveys (including cervical length screening, AFI, and placental location).
- Follow-up anatomy examinations.
- Fetal growth examinations.
- Other low-risk obstetric ultrasound examinations approved by Birth Detroit.
- 3D/4D ultrasound examinations
- Recognize normal and abnormal sonographic findings and appropriately escalate concerning findings.
- Identify incomplete examinations and recognize when additional imaging, evaluation, consultation, or referral may be needed.
- Perform ultrasound examinations independently following successful orientation and demonstration of competency.
- Follow established clinical protocols, infection-prevention practices, safety standards, and appropriate use of ultrasound equipment.
Compliance and Continuous Quality Improvement
- Follow Birth Detroit policies, procedures, ultrasound protocols, documentation standards, and applicable professional requirements.
- Maintain client privacy and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
- Promptly report clinical concerns, errors, equipment issues, or circumstances that may affect quality or client safety.
- Participate in quality assurance, image review, competency assessment, training, and performance-improvement activities.
- Maintain required credentials, competencies, and continuing education appropriate to the position.
- Incorporate feedback and contribute to ongoing improvements in ultrasound quality, safety, workflow, and client experience.
Teamwork And Professional Growth
- Works collaboratively with midwives, coordinators, and staff.
- Accepts feedback with openness and applies it constructively.
- Communicates clearly and respectfully with care team members.
- Manages time effectively and arrives prepared for shifts.
- Be consistent in meeting attendance, accessibility, and quick response.
- Seeks learning opportunities to foster professional development.
Culture & Values
- Demonstrates respect, dignity, and compassion in all interactions.
- Upholds reproductive justice and community-centered care.
- Builds trust with families, especially those historically harmed by healthcare systems.
- Practice and promote open communication.
- Practice and promote a culture of accountability and growth.
- Display commitment to showing up.
- Contributes positively to team morale and culture.
Core Competencies
- Values Alignment: Embodies Birth Detroit’s values of Safety, Love, Trust, and Justice.
- Collaborative Leadership: Ability to lead with humility, transparency, and community wisdom.
- Operational Excellence: Skilled at building systems, managing details, and supporting smooth workflows.
- Equity & Inclusion: Skilled in anti-racist practices, harm reduction, conflict navigation, and restorative approaches.
- Compassionate Communication: Able to build trust, navigate sensitive situations, and support families through vulnerable moments.
- Adaptability: Thrives in a growing organization and can hold both vision and execution.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Birth Detroit is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Age, Height, Weight, Familial or Marital Status. Birth Detroit strongly encourages people directly impacted by inequity in maternal and child health, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people to seek employment opportunities with us.
Values Statement
The mission of Birth Detroit is to midwife safe, quality, loving care through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. We dream of a world where birth is safe, sacred, loving, and celebrated for everyone. Birth Detroit’s core values are safety, love, trust, and justice. Safety is the foundation of Birth Detroit. We know birth center care improves outcomes and enhances the birth experience. All families should have access to a full range of safe birth options (birth center, home, and hospital). Love is the spirit of Birth Detroit. We lead with love. Our care for families is grounded in dignity, respect, and a belief in the inherent value of all people. Trust is the heart of Birth Detroit. We listen to and believe our families, and understand that cultivating trust is essential so families can thrive. Justice is the root of Birth Detroit. We lift up reproductive justice, which is defined by SisterSong as “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”
Requirements
Qualifications
The ultrasound technician will be thoroughly committed to Birth Detroit’s mission, vision, and values.
Required qualifications include:
- Completion of an approved program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and/or an Associate of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Current registration as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Obstetrics and Gynecology (RDMS OB/GYN) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), or an appropriate OB/GYN credential through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or another Birth Detroit-approved equivalent.
- Minimum of three years of obstetric sonography experience.
- Demonstrated ability to independently perform obstetric ultrasound examinations appropriate to the scope of Birth Detroit’s services.
- Demonstrated competency in fetal anatomy, biometric measurements, image optimization, and recognition of normal and abnormal sonographic findings.
- Ability to maintain all required professional credentials, certifications, continuing education, HIPAA training, and annual compliance requirements assigned by Birth Detroit.
The ideal candidate possesses a compelling combination of some of the following:
- Strong obstetric ultrasound skills and sound clinical judgment.
- Self-awareness and wisdom to leverage existing resources and ask for help when needed.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
- Understanding of the role of Black-led organizations in birth justice and a personal commitment to racial justice, equity, and liberation.
- Demonstrated success working with clients, families, and professional partners from diverse life experiences.
- Lived experience belonging to communities most impacted by structural inequity.
- Fluency or proficiency in a second language.
- Experience in community-based maternal health, birth center, outpatient OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, or similar settings.
- Willingness to grow and learn alongside Birth Detroit as the organization continues to develop.
Physical Requirements
- Comfortable standing for extended periods and assisting with physical tasks during clinic hours.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to accommodate the needs of the Easy Access Clinic families.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Benefits
Compensation
The ultrasound technician is an independent contractor position, generally working 1–2 shifts per month, approximately 4–8 hours per shift, with client load and hours varying based on clinical need. The position is paid per completed study and reports to the Clinical Director.
Compensation is paid per completed study and is contingent upon experience and the type of study performed.
Pay Range: $25-60 per study.
