EKG Technicians are
responsible for performing electrocardiogram tests in order to monitor
and record electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. These tests
include basic EKGs, Holter Monitoring (portable EKG which records
activity for 24-48 hrs.), 12 lead placement and Stress Tests
(treadmill). They assist a physician in diagnosing and treating
cardiac and blood vessel irregularities.
EKG
Technicians – Employment &
Education
EKG Technicians work in physician offices, hospitals, clinics, and
other health care facilities and organizations. EKG Technicians also
work for insurance companies to establish health and life insurance
policies. Similar to other growing
healthcare professions, the demand for EKG Technicians is expected to
continue to grow substantially.
Educational Requirements*
People who are
interested in becoming a certified EKG Technician should posses a High
School diploma or GED equivalent.
EKG
Technician Certification Program
This comprehensive 50 hour EKG Technician Certification Program
prepares students to function as EKG Technicians and to take the
American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) – Electrocardiograph
(EKG) Technician exam in addition to other National Certification
Exams. This course will include important practice and background
information on anatomy of the heart and physiology, medical disease
processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of
patient contact, the Holter monitor, electrocardiography and
echocardiography.
Additionally, students
will practice with equipment and perform hands-on labs including
introduction to the function and proper use of the EKG machine, the
normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement, 12-lead
placement and other clinical practices. EKG Technicians also analyze
printed readings of EKG tests, measuring various “cardiac intervals
and complexes” and determining normal vs. abnormal EKG.
The EKG Technician
Certification Program includes a graded final exam to help prepare
students for the ASPT – EKG
- EKG Technician
Detailed Course
Information
- role of the EKG Technician
- function of the EKG Department
in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile
service)
- introduction to medical
terminology
- medical terminology related to
electrocardiography
- care & safety of patients,
medical & legal aspects
- anatomy of the heart, conduct
ion system, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
- electrical conduction system of
the heart
- cardiac cycle (electric system)
- EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T
wave form interpretation)
- normal sinus rhythm, sinus
bradycardis, sinus tachycardia
- basic EKG interpretation, sinus
rhythm, and ventricular rhythms, asystole; example rhythm
- recognizing artifacts;
troubleshooting, tracing problems
- practice EKG strips; EKG rhythms
- preparing a patient for EKG
- 12 lead EKGs (interpretation and
troubleshooting)
- 12 lead placement
- echocardiography
- other roles for the EKG
Technician
