If you are interested in a career in health care , Washington Regional offers many pathways to success . Washington Regional is the only not-for-profit , community-owned and locally governed health care system in Northwest Arkansas .
Founded in 1950 , the system includes a 366-bed medical center in Fayetteville as well as dozens of outpatient clinics , diagnostic centers and outreach programs throughout the region . The Springdale Center for Health , offering a number of medical services for the entire family in the Har-Ber Meadows neighborhood , is part of the system .
Washington Regional is adding 100 to 125 health care jobs in Northwest Arkansas with its new Women and Infants Center .
The center features a 34-bed Level 3A neonatal intensive care unit and the area ’ s first Ronald McDonald House , which provides families with a place to stay while their children are in the hospital .
“ We have expanded so much , so quickly , that we have an overwhelming
need for nurses ,” said Samantha 36
Bowman , Education Specialist .
“ We want to find quality people at all levels ,” said Steve Percival , Vice President of Human Resources . “ We want to fit people into a role where they become passionate about their jobs .”
Washington Regional employs 2,400 people , Percival said , many of them in support staff which leads to additional careers .
“ Hospital work is not only taking care of patients at the bedside ,” Percival said . “ We have a lot of skilled technologists who work in areas such as radiation , CT , lab and many others .”
Many people start their career in health care by becoming technologists or certified nursing assistants , also called CNAs , Bowman said .
“ A lot of them go to nursing school while they are working ,” she explained .
That is similar to the path taken by Meredith Green , Director of Women and Infants Services .