How to Become an EKG Technician? | CHCP Career Guide

Whether you’re already working as a Medical Assistant or Multi-Skilled Patient Care Technician, or you are interested in expanding your professional skillset to encompass EKG Technician duties, there are ways to explore cardiac specialty knowledge while maintaining the patient interaction you desire. Let’s take a closer look at the role of an EKG Technician, what EKG techs do, how to become one, and how The College of Health Care Professions can help you prepare to sit for a Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam.

In This Article:

• What Is an EKG Technician?
• What Does an EKG Technician Do?
• Where Do EKG Technicians Work?
• Who Can Become an EKG Technician?
• Adding EKG Technician Skills to Your Allied Healthcare Skills

What Is an EKG Technician?

An EKG technician is a specialized healthcare professional trained to perform electrocardiogram (EKG) tests, which record the heart's electrical activity. By operating EKG machines and interpreting the resulting data, these technicians play a crucial role in detecting heart conditions and supporting patient care.

Unlike other allied health roles, EKG technicians are specifically skilled in cardiac monitoring, making them essential team members in cardiovascular care. EKG Technicians provide critical support and insight alongside physicians in the early detection, treatment, and monitoring of heart conditions in many healthcare settings.

What Does an EKG Technician Do? | Job Description

The daily work of an EKG technician involves a blend of patient interaction, technical operation, and collaboration with healthcare teams. Here’s a breakdown of typical EKG Technician job duties:

Patient Care and Preparation (40%)

• Patient Interaction: Explaining the EKG procedure to patients, answering any questions, and ensuring comfort throughout the process.
• Preparation: Preparing patients for the test by placing electrodes on specific areas of the body with accuracy and attention to detail.

Technical Operation and Data Collection (40%)

• Operating EKG Machines: Conducting EKG tests by monitoring and recording the heart’s electrical activity, ensuring accurate readings for physician review.
• Data Quality Control: Checking equipment settings and adjusting electrode placements to capture clear, usable data.

Reporting and Collaboration (15%)

• Documentation: Recording patient data and results in medical records and preparing preliminary reports for the medical team.
• Team Communication: Communicating any immediate concerns or abnormal results to nurses or physicians to support timely diagnosis.

Administrative and Ancillary Tasks (5%)

• Scheduling: Assisting with appointment coordination and handling basic administrative tasks as needed within their department.
• Multi-Skilled Roles: For those cross-trained as Patient Care Technicians (PCT) or Medical Assistants (MA), these responsibilities include checking vital signs and assisting in patient mobility.

These varied responsibilities allow EKG technicians to directly support patient care while working collaboratively to contribute vital diagnostic information on heart health.

Where Do EKG Technicians Work?

EKG technicians can find employment in a variety of healthcare settings, each offering unique experiences and opportunities to apply their skills:

• Hospitals: EKG technicians in hospitals work with diverse patient cases, often assisting in emergency and cardiac care units where heart monitoring is essential.
• Outpatient Clinics: Working in outpatient settings allows EKG technicians to perform scheduled EKG tests for patients referred by primary care doctors or specialists, focusing on routine heart monitoring.
• Cardiology Offices: In cardiology practices, EKG technicians work closely with cardiologists, conducting tests that aid in diagnosing and treating heart-specific conditions.
• Diagnostic Laboratories: Diagnostic labs employ EKG technicians to perform tests ordered by various healthcare providers, often focusing on high-volume testing in a specialized environment.
• Rehabilitation Centers: In cardiac rehab facilities, EKG technicians monitor heart health in patients recovering from heart surgery or cardiac events, supporting safe physical rehabilitation.
• Mobile Health Units: For those who enjoy travel and variety, mobile units allow EKG technicians to perform tests at various locations, such as nursing homes or community health fairs.

These environments allow EKG technicians to work across various healthcare needs, from routine diagnostics to specialized cardiac care, ensuring flexibility and variety in their career paths.

Who Can Become an EKG Technician?

The Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification is open to individuals with a foundational healthcare background and a desire to specialize in cardiac monitoring.

Many CET candidates are already healthcare professionals, such as Medical Assistants (MAs), Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), or Nursing Assistants looking to expand their skills in cardiac diagnostics.

If you want to become an EKG Technician and meet the educational requirements, a recognized EKG training program, such as the four-week seminar course at CHCP, may be the right fit for you. It aims to prepare you with the technical skills and knowledge needed to sit for the certification exam.

With an EKG Technician certification, professionals can enhance their qualifications, potentially positioning themselves for roles focusing on heart health and cardiac diagnostics across various healthcare environments.

Adding EKG Technician Skills to Your Healthcare Career | EKG Tech Training

The EKG Technician seminar at CHCP is designed as a continuing education course for healthcare professionals looking to expand their skills in cardiac diagnostics. Often ideal for individuals already working as Medical Assistants or in other allied health roles, this four-week seminar offers instruction in essential EKG procedures, including setup, administration, and result interpretation.

Before enrolling, students should consider their healthcare background. This training complements existing patient care knowledge, and successfully passing the seminar qualifies students to sit for the CET exam.

Prepare for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) Exam in Texas with CHCP | EKG Technician Course

Are you ready to take the next step toward becoming a CET in Texas? Apply for our four-week seminar today to get started.