How to become an EKG Technician

An EKG Technician or sometimes called “telemetry clerk” is assigned to monitor the EKG (Electrocardiograms) and interprets electrical impulses shown on the heart monitor. An EKG technician works in the “telemetry unit” of the hospital where patients are hooked with electrodes all over their chest and is attached to a wireless transmitter that goes to the central station where the technician can monitor their heart rate and rhythm of the patient. EKG Tech Training Before a student can proceed to the EKG Tech Training he/she needs to have at least a high school diploma and certification. The duration of the training is about 16-18 weeks in a hospital with the guidance of a doctor or other medical staff. Other states require a person to have a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license before the training. If you want to go further with the training you can proceed with stress testing or holter monitoring training which nowadays can be done through online schools like Link 2 Life which are certified to offer the program. EKG Technician Certification An EKG Technician Certification can be obtained through various institutions that offers EKG technician training (experience on the job) and classes who are acknowledged by American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians and American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals. Listed below are EKG technician schools:

• KAPLAN COLLEGE, San Antonio (San Pedro), Texas
• INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY Santa Clara, California
• MILLER-MOTTE COLLEGE Jacksonville, North Carolina
• MICROPOWER CAREER INSTITUTE Hauppauge, New York
• BRANFORD HALL CAREER INSTITUTE Branford, Connecticut

Responsibilities of a Certified EKG Technician includes:

1. Schedule appointments
2. Setting up and administering EKG’s
3. Preparing patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring
4. Transcribing physicians’ interpretations

Career Information about EKG Technicians with Certification EKG Technicians are are trained to perform Holter Monitors and Stress Test, which involves attaching electrodes on the patient’s body in order to obtain EKG readings. Meanwhile the Stress Test involves using a treadmill to assess how the patient’s heart responds to activity. An EKG technician can work in various settings like in the hospital, cardiology clinics, doctors office, cardiac rehabilitation center or emergency rooms. Click here for more.