Learn About Electrocardiograph Technician, EKG or ECG Schools, Training, Jobs, and Careers

What is an Electrocardiograph Technician?
As we get older, some diseases start to creep up on us. One of them is cardiovascular disease. So much so that it has become the leading cause of death in America.

The good news is that if it is caught early, it can be treated before it does any major damage. This is where EKG or ECG technicians come in. These technicians operate equipment that record and measure the activity of the heart. The test will usually be ordered by the physician who suspects a patient may have a heart disease. In carrying out the doctor’s order, the ECG technician will do the following:

1. Get information from patient regarding their medical history, including medical prescription the patient may be taking

2. Explain the EKG procedure

3. Give ECG instructions to the patient

4. Attach the electrodes to the necessary body parts

5. Connect the electrodes to the EKG machine

6. Turn on the EKG machine

7. Perform the test

8. Relocate the electrodes based on feedback

9. Lookout for emergency

10. Mark sections of the trace paper the doctor should look at

11. Send test result to physician

12. Etc.

The more experienced ECG technician may assist the doctor during heart catheterization and Holter monitoring. These are more advanced heart testing and examination procedures.

How to Become an Electrocardiograph Technician:
To become an ECG technician, you should first of all get a high school diploma or equivalent. You should take classes like physical education, English, computer science, etc.

You will then need to further your education by getting an EKG technician certificate. The certificate will take 3- 12 months. The length of time will be determined by if you want to get more advanced training. Advanced training will involve Holter monitoring and heart catheterization. Some courses taken in an ECG program are:

a. Medical Terminology
b. First Aide
c. EKG Procedures
d. Human Body
e. Understanding ECG Monitors
f. CPR
g. Cardiac Anatomy
h. Etc.

Certification and licensure are optional. We encourage you to get certification. This will increase your chances of getting a job and higher pay. You can get certification through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

Electrocardiograph Technician Salary:
ECGs make decent salary. The average salary is $28,000 per year. We have seen salary as high as $41,000 per year. This depends on your location, education, and level of responsibility. This is not bad for a career that takes 3 to 12 months to complete.

Electrocardiograph Technician School:
One of the best ways to find ECG technician school is to do a search on the internet. You can narrow the search to your preferred location. Just click this link to find the right school for you.

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