How do you Become an EKG Technician?
With a constant stream of innovation and new technology and some of the best employment opportunities of any industry, the health science field has much to offer. One of the specialties in this industry is EKG technician, also sometimes called cardiographic techs or electrocardiograph techs, which requires medical assistant training. EKG technicians are trained to measure the performance of patient’s hearts.
What is an EKG?
Like many modern medical terms, “EKG” is an acronym – an abbreviation for a longer term. EKG stands for electrocardiogram, an examination of the heart that checks for problems with electrical activity. An EKG looks like a series of lines on paper. Those lines measure spikes and dips in the heart’s activity, called “waves.”
How are EKGs Performed?
An EKG is a standardized medical examination performed by a trained professional. It is a completely safe, comfortable, and routine test. Because it is administered to patients who may be high-risk or have experienced episodes of cardiac stress, it may be a stressful examination, but the test itself is not painful or risky. Because the test has the potential to expose serious cardiac problems but is non-invasive and performed quickly, it is ordered by doctors regularly, and is an important medical diagnostic test.
Most commonly, EKGs are ordered for patients in preparation for surgery, or when medical teams suspect that a patient may have some underlying cardiac issue. Uncovering such an issue can be lifesaving, so EKG technicians are tasked with an extremely serious and important step in the medical diagnostic and treatment process.
What do EKG Technicians Study?
In order to pursue a future as an EKG tech, you’ll need a solid foundation of medical coursework, which should start with courses like medical terminology and pharmacology. Specific coursework in EKG and cardiology will follow, and students should also have some exposure to medical ethics, diagnostics and testing, and medical office procedures.
As part of a medical assistant degree program, future EKG technicians will also gain proficiency in math, English, science, and humanities. Well-rounded students are valued in the medical field (as in many industries), and successfully completing this coursework demonstrates that graduates are equipped with the full skill set needed to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
What Does the Path look like for an EKG Technician?
Having successfully completed an Associate of Science Degree, graduates are eligible to sit for a professional certification exam. EKG technicians who are successful in their field may move into managerial roles. Responsibilities may include human resources functions like hiring and evaluation, scheduling, and continuing education. Qualifying for an increase in responsibility will require a demonstrated commitment to professional standards but will also likely be based on relationships with other members of the team as well as with patients, level of experience, and motivation.
EKGs are administered in a variety of settings – hospitals, cardiac specialty centers, and doctor’s offices all require trained personnel to administer the diagnostic test. The most traditional path is within a hospital system.
What Certifications are Required?
Many employers will require certification from the National Healthcare Association. Even if they don’t, obtaining the certification makes employees more competitive for open positions. Passing the exam means qualifying as a Certified Electrocardiogram Technician, and all techs who earn the CET are also certified to conduct Holter monitoring and stress tests.
If you know you’re interested in a medical profession and believe that working as an EKG Technician could be a good fit for you, it may be time to learn more about ECPI University’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Medical Assisting. Get in touch with an admissions advisor today to discuss your options.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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