Become a Certified EKG Technician
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to earn a nationally recognized Electrocardiography (EKG) technician certification, which includes measuring basic vital signs, performing rapid response procedures, operating an EKG machine, and identifying rhythms. As you prepare for your EKG technician certification, you will get a solid introduction to key medical terminology, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune systems, and other important health systems you will need to know as an EKG technician. Students with prior knowledge can optionally test out by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing course content if desired. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course.
Your EKG technician training prepares you to take the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You will also receive a voucher for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification exam. The voucher is prepaid access to sit for the certifying exam upon eligibility.
In addition to certification, your course includes an opportunity to apply to participate in a clinical experience.
Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online EKG technician course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that neither ed2go nor SCSU can guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches students' needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.
Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of this course's test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.
Job Outlook for Certified EKG Technicians
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual EKG technician salary in the U.S. is $70,270 as of May 2024. Compensation can vary depending on education, certifications, additional skills, and/or the number of years you have spent in your profession.
- EKG technician jobs are expected to grow 11% by 2033, which is much faster than the average of 4%.
Course Objectives
- Understand the concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology, infection control, and standard precautions appropriate to the role of an EKG technician
- Understand proper machine protocols and maintenance
- Review electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Gain proper communication methods within clinical scenarios
- Prepare to take the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam through the NHA
Prerequisites and Certification Requirements
Prerequisites: To be eligible for enrollment, you should have one of the following qualifications: a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, an entrance test, or previous healthcare experience.
Certification Requirements: To qualify for the NHA CET certification, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have successfully completed the course, and provide proof of 10 successfully performed EKGs on live individuals.
State Requirements: This course meets all state requirements. Certification exams offered by NHA are only available online to candidates located in the U.S.
Registration and Enrollment
Start anytime.
This course is 100% online. Our instructors look forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.
According to zippia.com, as an EKG technician, you operate advanced equipment and machines to diagnose and identify patients' conditions with cardiovascular problems. Once the results of the EKG are in, these technicians endorse the results to the physicians assigned to the patient. EKG technicians are neither doctors nor are they expected to be medically trained.
Indeed.com reports that EKG technicians are healthcare employees who perform diagnostic tests that help doctors identify cardiovascular problems in patients. They work mostly in hospitals but can also work in long-term specialty care facilities or private practices. The EKG technician explains the test to patients before conducting them. Once the patient is on the machine, the technician monitors heart performance and the patient's blood pressure. Other duties include:
- Executing EKG services according to the hospital's procedures
- Maintaining EKG equipment and any required inventory needed to run tests
- Performing related administrative tasks, including recording results, filing, and data entry
- Attending additional training programs as required by the healthcare system, including safety procedures
- Performing and scheduling EKG tests
The Certified EKG Technician (CET) is provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Dr. Rox Ann Sparks is an experienced nurse who has cared for patients and students in nearly every healthcare setting, with 35 years of practice in emergency medicine. Her nursing career has led her from obtaining her CNA, LVN, RN, and MSN to a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).
Dr. Sparks has experience in being a floor nurse to a chair of nursing. She has developed many different healthcare programs, from PCT to BSN. She has also consulted in accreditation for nursing programs and presented numerous educational programs from natural health to chronic diseases. These experiences led her to become a Certified Nurse Educator.
Dr. Sparks is currently the CEO of Sparks Nursing Consulting, which helps patients become healthier by coaching them to better health. She works with multiple law firms on the defense of nursing standards. She also developed an RN NCLEX review book and app to use the questions and multiple online courses for nurses and healthcare support staff.
Alexis M Ramirez, DNP, MSN, NPD-BC, CCRN has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) for many years in cardiovascular critical care as well as taught in the acute care and academic settings. In addition to serving the community through care delivery, she has trained Patient Care Assistants, Monitor Technicians, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses throughout her career.
Dr. Ramirez completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from California State University, Fresno in 2021. She completed her master's in nursing education from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2014. She is board certified in Nursing Professional Development and as a Critical Care Nurse.
Gail Hubbard, MSN, RN, RMA, has worked in the medical field for more than 30 years. Before earning her RN, she worked as a medical records technician, administrative and clinical medical assistant, EKG technician, and billing and coding specialist.
As an RN, Gail has worked in ICU/Stepdown, psychiatric mental health nursing, ambulatory surgery, infection control, and staff development. Gail has over ten years of experience teaching medical assisting, nursing, nurse assistant, EKG, and phlebotomy. After completing her master's degree in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University, Gail was the Nurse/Quality Improvement Manager for a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center.
Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.