EKG Technician

Education and Training: School, high school diploma in health care
Average Salary: $60,000 per year
Job Outlook: Fair

An Electrocardiograph technician or an EKG technician is in demand due to a rapid increase in heart and chest patients. The most prominent operation performed by them is to handle the EKG machine, which requires recording, monitoring, and descrying the electronic pulses generated by the heart during beating and confirm the necessary diagnosis for the patient. They are responsible for everything related to the heart and blood vessels.

Education and Training Requirements

If you are planning to serve patients as an EKG technician, then you need to be interactive enough to make your patients calm and composed during critical situations. A specific amount of technical knowledge along with the specific training can help you achieve your goal. The journey starts after completing your high school education, where you need to finish your degree as an associate which requires two years at the most. If you are a beginner in the medical field, then you need to a one year certification or an internship, which has a period of about 18 to 24 months. But if you have already practiced medicine, you can get trained in 4 to 6 months and in no time you will be serving as an EKG technician. A registered certificate from CCI i.e. Cardiovascular Credentialing International is recommended if you want to serve as a technician.

Getting the Job

You can check out desired institutes where you want to pursue your training and start serving as an EKG technician. Both small and large medical centers, institutions, and research centers are demanding more EKG technicians and be sure to check their job postings for potential positions. Candidates for this job should have the ability to deal with patients suffering from cardiac disorder and related problems including chest pain. They are required during times of emergency and even at the physician’s center for carrying out the necessary EKG tests.

Job Prospects and Employment Outlook

The job prospects of an EKG technician are fair and it has been predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that by the year 2018 that the rate of employment in EKG technicians can go up by 24%.

Working Conditions and Environment

This job requires a lot of alertness and physical stamina since standing and walking around the medical center is required while continuously checking upon patients. Your decision can be the deciding statement for a patient’s survival, so this job is full of stress and involves precision when dealing with patients which are suffering from fatal cardiovascular traits. EKG technicians typically work 40 to 45 hours a week.

Salary and Benefits

The salary package for an EKG technician starts with an average of $60,000 per year. Since the demand for such technicians is increasing, this career can offer steady growth in the years to come.

Where to Go For More Information
Personal Development
313 Conference Center Bldg.
600 Henley St.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
(865) 974-0150
http://www.conferencesandnoncreditprograms.utk.edu/professional/healthcare/ekg.html

Pioneer Pacific College
27501 Southwest Parkway Ave.
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070
(503) 682-3903
http://www.pioneerpacific.edu/