Become an EKG Technician
There are many great careers in healthcare that revolve around an Allied Health degree. You can become an EKG technician by pursuing a degree from one of the online colleges shown in the list below. These are all accredited and have programs dedicated to Allied Health Science.
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Kaplan University - Kaplan is easily one of the most recognized and successful online colleges. They offer multiple degree programs in health sciences and nursing that can be applied to your clinical requirements. They offer associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees online all that will help further your career. Kaplan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission which is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
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Independence University - Independence University offers a couple of really great choices for people in the healthcare profession that want to advance inside their hospital or doctor's office by getting an associate's degree in nursing. They offer both an Allied Health Science associate's degree for EKG technicians and a more focused associate's degree in advanced respiratory therapy. For people wanting to become an EKG technician, we highly recommend a degree in Allied Health. NOTE: you do need at least one year of experience in the field of healthcare to qualify for this degree program.
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Virginia College - Virginia College has the widest selection of programs at all degree levels. They offer a unique financing approach in that all fees are included upfront so it is very easy to enroll. They also offer multiple degree programs for people looking to enter the healthcare industry. They offer a bachelor's degree in Health Services Management that is popular for people pursuing a career as an EKG technician. Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
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South University - South University is leading the rest of the online education space in Allied Health Science degrees. They offer both an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. In order to become a certified EKG technician it is highly recommended that you pursue this degree as your first choice as it makes the certification process smoother. South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
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Are you interested in becoming an EKG technician? It’s a growing field due to the risk of heart problems related to genetic makeup or simply just due to the overall obesity problem that is impacting the U.S. Many people lack the fitness and nutrition routine to help them reduce the risks of heart disease. As you might have expected, most EKG technicians are employed in hospitals, but there are definitely private practice options available to EKG techs especially for cardiologists.
If you are curious as to what it would be like to be an EKG technician, let’s explain what the typical job involves. An EKG tech helps doctors diagnose blood vessel blockages and heart-related problems. The tech operates the testing equipment and monitors the patient throughout the procedure to make sure they are not a risk at any point during the test. In many, but not all cases the EKG technician will explain the procedure to the patient if the doctor has not already done so. Of course, the EKG tech will not summarize the results for the patient, but instead will turn the results over to the referring physician for review. So the EKG is administered by clearing areas on the body to place electrodes (usually shaving a portion of the hair away from the legs, arms, and chest of a patient to make sure the contact with the skin is good). Then the electrical impulses from the heart will be traced as they travel through the body and recorded by the equipment. The results are printed and submitted to the referring doctor.
After some additional training the EKG technician can also perform the Holter monitor and stress testing procedures. The Holter monitor is usually strapped to the patient to record the electrical impulses over a 24-hour period this is usually done if the problem is erratic and not repeatable. A stress test is similar to a standard EKG test but requires the patient to exert energy usually by walking or jogging on a treadmill. The idea is to get the heart pumping a bit faster and to see how the electrical impulses travel throughout the body when the patient’s body is under the stress of physical labor.
An EKG technician will typically work five days a week, but some may work evenings and weekends or be on call. EKG technicians need to be capable of moving patients as well as need be so there could be some relatively heavy lifting involved.
Basic education requirements include attending an EKG Training Program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals. Typically you will see that an EKG technician has obtained an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences. Post graduation a lot of the additional training is done under the supervision of a practicing physician or certified EKG technician.
The average EKG technician makes about $50,000 a year, but several techs have reported income in excess of $75,000 a year. Of course the amount of money you earn in a year will be determined the area of the country that you live in, the cost of living, the general availability of qualified applicants, your training and education, and of course your professional work experience.
