EKG Technician

This course prepares students for the tasks and responsibilities of Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technicians, including equipment operation, maintaining data reports, performing EKG procedures to assess heart rhythm and rate, and identifying heart rhythms. Completion of this course prepares students to sit for the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician examination.

  • EKG Technician employment comes in a variety of job titles:
  • EKG Technician
  • Monitor Technician
  • Cardiac Monitor Technician
  • Telemetry Technician
  • Biomedical Equipment Technician
  • Certified EKG Technician

Employment for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (including EKG Technicians) is projected to grow 22% by 2024, fast than average for all occupations.

The average annual wage for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in Nebraska in 2017 was $49,810, in 2020 it was $59,100.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Nebraska.

National Healthcareer Association. (n.d.). EKG technician job outlook & opportunities.

  • Be on time and prepared for class and lab
  • Be an active part of classroom and lab activities
  • Get plenty of rest and strive for a healthy diet
  • Develop study groups or an accountability partner outside of class
  • Complete and submit assignments and exams on dates due
  • Be willing to critique other classmates and accept their comments to improve your performance
  • Be willing to accept constructive criticism within the lab setting
  • Develop a method of retaining information (notes, flashcards, etc.)

This course will:

  1. Define the role of the Electrocardiograph Technician.
  2. Describe the state requirements related to EKG practice.
  3. Describe the legal and ethical issues related to EKG practices.
  4. Demonstrate effective customer service skills.
  5. Maintain a safe environment and infection control.
  6. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.
  7. Review basic electrophysiology (ie: four characteristics of cardiac cells, identify nodes, measure heart rate, review EKG waveforms and interpretations.)

Students must be 16 years of age to take this course.

Students must have a high school diploma or GED®, or expect to earn a high school diploma or GED® within 12 months of course completion to be eligible to take the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician examination.

Will I be a certified EKG Technician when I complete this course?
Completion of this course does not grant you certification as an EKG Technician. The course does provide you eligibility to sit for the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician exam. Certification as an EKG Technician is dependent on successful completion of the exam.

How much does the certification exam cost?
The National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician exam costs $117. Students register and pay for the exam after successful completion of the class.

How do I sign up to take the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician examination?
You will be sent an invitation via email to complete a profile and submit your exam application with the National Healthcareer Association. This invitation is initiated by the course instructor after all course material (e.g. assignments, quizzes, checkoffs, exams) are completed.

Are there clinical hours associated with this course?
There are no clinical hours associated with this course. All hands-on experience will be completed in the laboratory setting.