To become an Electrocardiogram Technician is no easy, but the rewarding career that await are definitely something to look forward to. We are at an exciting time in healthcare these days for everyone who might be interested in becoming an EKG Technician, so if you’re someone who wants to take on this challenging and fulfilling career move, then keep on reading!

What to Know Before Starting an EKG Technician Career?

An EKG Technician or ECG Technician is someone who performs an ECG on a client. An ECG or electrocardiogram is a medical test that allows for the monitoring of the heart’s electrical impulses. During the test, electrodes from the ECG machine are attached to specific points in the legs, arms, and chest of the client. The machine then reads the electrical impulses and records them. The result shows the peaks and the valleys of the heart’s electrical activity. This record is interpreted by qualified personnel to reveal problems with the functioning of someone’s heart.

Please note that an ECG Technician may also be referred to as an EKG Technician, an Electrocardiogram Technician, and an Electrocardiograph Technician. All are acceptable terms.

Who Can Become an EKG Technician?

The first requirements to become an EKG Technician or an Electrocardiogram Technician is a desire to help people and a willingness to learn. Ideally, you are someone with superb communication skills (or willing to work on this), have good people skills, and are very detail-oriented. Having a solid foundation of the basic functions of the heart is also great, but this will be a part of the initial lectures.

Once you are enrolled in an EKG Technician course, you will be taught how to assess the client’s heart rate and rhythm as well as how to interpret them, including the significance of each type of assessment detail. After completing am EKG Technician course, you will then need to get certification by passing the CET exam. Passing the CET exam makes sure that you have the skills and knowledge to perform your tasks as an EKG Technician according to national and international standards.

Where Do Electrocardiograph Technicians Work?

As an EKG Technician, you can work in medical diagnostic labs, healthcare facilities, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. You would be performing a highly in-demand service that is bound to have higher job growth prospects in the next 2 to 3 years.

What Does an Electrocardiogram Technician Do?

An ECG Technician operates the electrocardiograph machine to measure, monitor, and graphically record the electrical activity of someone’s heart. A physician may also use the same machine to diagnose and monitor heart problems.

A typical workday for an EKG Technician includes performing the following duties:

• Connecting electrodes to the leads from the ECG machine
• Conducting the electrocardiograph
• Identifying abnormal heart rhythms
• Instructing clients on how to perform physical exercises as specified by the client’s physician
• Obtaining client information for ECG records
• Recognizing medical emergencies
• Responding to physician and client needs

These are not the full extent of duties for an ECG Technician. Further training may mean performing the additional duties and tasks below:

• Inserting a catheter into a client’s blood vessel that leads to the heart to allow for the examination of the heart’s condition with the help of a visualization device
• Maintaining client records and sending bills
• Monitoring special, three-dimensional tracings of the electrical activity of the heart
• Monitoring special ECGs that record the action of the heart over 12-to-24-hour periods
• Recording heart activity during physical exertion
• Recording heart murmurs and other abnormal heart sounds
• Scheduling appointments
• Using ultrasound equipment
• Using other procedures to test both the lungs and the heart.

How Much Does an EKG Technician Make Annually?

Although the compensation can vary widely based on location, experience level, and other factors, the average starting salary of ECG Technicians in the US plays at around $35,000-$40,000. Other pay estimates for ECG technicians in the US mention an hourly rate of around $19/hr.

Become an EKG Technician at Global School of Health

Fast track your next career move to become an Electrocardiogram Technician in 2023 with Global School of Health! Our EKG program features 60hours of training, lectures, and practicum to fully prepare you. You can check out the GSOH EKG Technician course here for the full program details including the fees and schedule. Contact us at Global School of Health should you have any questions. We welcome inquiries and will be happy to help you achieve your healthcare career goals!