According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by cardiovascular technologists and technicians in Oregon was $85,730, making it the fourth highest-paying state for workers in this profession.
Salaries vary depending on expertise, education, and a variety of other factors but becoming a Certified EKG technician can be the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare.
The entry-level skills needed for this profession can be learned through a post-secondary training program that usually can be completed in only a few months.
Most EKG training programs include less than 100 hours of training and prepare students for a nationally recognized certification.
To help you choose the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best EKG technician schools in Oregon.
Our selection includes weekday and weekend programs as well as programs that are available fully online and can be completed by students at their own pace.
After completing an EKG Technician program, you are ready for employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, and other healthcare settings.
1American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
The American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians offers an EKG Technician Training program in Portland.
The school offers a cost-effective, user-friendly certification experience to its students.
They have access to highly qualified national certifications.
Competency-based programs designed to be completed by students at their own pace are also available at the school.
Courses Offered
This EKG Technician program is comprised of 40-80 class hours and 20-40 clinical hours.
Classes typically have between 10-30 students.
To qualify for enrollment, prospective students need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a clean background check
- Provide a negative Hepatitis test
- Provide a negative TB test
- Immunization records
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion.
Students learn how to complete the following tasks:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verifying patients identity
- Performing EKGs
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining the area and equipment.
The program prepares students for certification exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1025, Washington D.C. 20006
- Phone: (888) 797-9354
- Website: https://ekgcert.org/ekg-certification-raleigh-north-carolina
2Southwestern Oregon Community College
About the School
Southwestern Oregon Community College offers a Certified EKG Technician program.
This asynchronous course trains students to work as EKG techs and prepares them for the National Healthcareer Association nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology, infection control, and standard precautions
- Proper machine protocols and maintenance
- Electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Proper communication methods within clinical scenarios
- The theoretical knowledge of an EKG Technician
Students become prepared to take the CET certification from NHA.
They receive a voucher after completing the course.
This 170-hour course program costs $1,995.
Students have 12 months to complete the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1988 Newmark, Coos Bay, OR 97420
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/socc/training-programs/certified-ekg-technician-voucher
3AlliedRX Institute of Healthcare
AlliedRX Institute of Healthcare offers interactive learning, board exam prep, patient simulations, and an on-demand virtual tutor.
The programs available at the institute are designed to help students get started with a career in the healthcare field.
Online and on-campus courses are available at the institute.
Among many other allied health programs, AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare offers a fully online EKG Technician program in Eugene.
The course includes one-on-one mentorship.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician curriculum includes courses on topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Electrocardiography
- EKG Interpretation and Analysis
- Patient Care and Electrode Placement
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance
The course includes:
- 12-month access to online learning content
- Virtual clinical simulations
- Interactive study guides and knowledge assessment
- 3D interactive anatomy simulations
- Virtual EKG patient readings
- Video demonstrations
- Board examination prep and materials
The course content includes:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Electrophysiology
- Sinus Mechanisms
- Atrial Rhythms
- Junctional Rhythms
- Heart Blocks
- Pacemaker Rhythms
- Introduction to the 12-lead ECG
- And more
The program consists of 50 clock hours.
Students have 12-month access to the learning content.
A fast-track option that can be completed in five weeks is also available.
After completing the program students are fully prepared to take the NHA certification exam.
Contact Information
- Phone: (866) 348 – 6920
- Website: https://www.alliedrxtraining.com
4Portland Community College
About the School
EKG technician skills can also be learned as part of a Medical Assistant training program.
Portland Community College offers a Medical Assisting program that prepares students for work directly with patients and doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
The college provides flexible classes, in-person, hybrid, remote, and online.
The program can be completed in nine months.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs in collaboration with the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Students learn how to perform a variety of clinical procedures, including venipuncture, blood pressure measurements, EKGs, wound care, and more.
The program also covers administrative procedures such as documenting in an electronic health record system, scheduling appointments, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 2305 SE 82nd and Division, Portland, OR 97216 (Southeast Campus)
- Phone: 971-722-5667
- Website: https://www.pcc.edu
5Mississippi State University
About the School
EKG training programs can also be completed online at schools located in other states.
One such training program is available in Mississippi.
Among many other career programs, Mississippi State University offers an EKG Technician program that includes 224 course hours.
The program is available through the university’s Center for Continuing Education.
This program costs $2,799.
EKG Technician students prepare for work in hospitals, clinics, cardiac centers, and private practices.
Students who complete advanced training programs receive a certificate of completion from the MSU Center for Continuing Education.
The program is available in partnership with CareerStep.
The online program comes with all the learning content and exercises that prepare students for certification and work at a hospital or clinic near them.
MSU Center for Continuing Education offers a wide range of advanced career training programs where students can interact and learn with their peers while connecting with expert instructors.
EKG training courses are also available as part of the Patient Care Technician and Medical Assistant training programs offered by Mississippi State University.
Contact Information
- Address: 365 Barr Ave/P.O. Box 5441, Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Phone: (662) 325-5002
- Website: https://ce.extension.msstate.edu
6California State University Long Beach
About the School
California State University Long Beach has provided academic programs for more than 70 years.
Among many other career paths, the university offers an EKG Technician program that leads to a Certificate.
The program is delivered in hybrid and self-paced online formats.
The 50-hour EKG Technician program prepares students to become EKG Technicians.
The program covers a variety of skills, including monitoring and recording electrical impulses transmitted by the heart.
The course also includes background information on the anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, electrocardiography, and stress testing.
The course is not offered for academic credit and is not degree-eligible.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician program curriculum includes the following classes:
- 12-Lead Electrocardiography
- Electrophysiology
- Waves and Measurements
- Analyzing EKG Rhythm Strips
- Identifying Rhythms using the 12-Lead EKG
- Pacemakers
- Holter Monitoring and the Echocardiogram
- Lab Skills
Contact Information
- Address: 6300 E. State University Dr. Suite 104, Long Beach, California 90815
- Website: https://www.cpie.csulb.edu
7St. Ambrose University
A training option designed to be completed fully online is also available at St. Ambrose University.
About the School
Among many other career paths, St. Ambrose University offers an online EKG Technician Certificate Program.
Students enrolled in this program prepare to play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring cardiac conditions.
The program offers a flexible online learning environment and is designed to be completed by students in less than 12 months.
Students attend classes 15 to 20 hours per week.
Tuition for this program is $2,000.
The program covers medical terminology and disease processes that affect the heart and patient’s health.
Students who complete the program are prepared to explain procedures to patients, monitor blood pressure, properly position patients for an EKG scan, apply Holter monitors, and assist cardiologists with stress testing.
The program prepares students for certification through the National Healthcareer Association as a Certified EKG Technician.
Students have flexible scheduling options that allow them to balance their studies with personal commitments.
Contact Information
- Address: 518 W Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803
- Phone: 877-462-0521
- Website: https://workforce.sau.edu
8Oregon Institute of Technology
About the School
Longer programs, that lead to Bachelor’s degrees in the field of cardiovascular technology are also available.
Oregon Institute of Technology provides an Echocardiography program through its College of Health, Arts and Sciences.
Students enrolled in this program prepare to obtain ultrasound images of the heart for diagnosis of cardiac related issues.
This program leads to a Bachelor’s Degree.
Students have access to full time clinical practice during their senior year.
The program provides extensive hands-on training with all new ultrasound machines.
The college also provides a Dianostic Medical Sonography program.
The Echocardiography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs.
Courses Offered
The program includes:
- Classes in general chemistry and echocardiography
- General math
- Classes in communication and humanities
- Social sciences
- Advanced anatomy and physiology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
- Phone: 800.422.2017|541.885.1000
- Website: https://www.oit.edu
9Elite Medical Academy
Located in Florida, Elite Medical Academy offers CNA Training, Med Tech Training, EKG Training, and CPR Training.
The school offers online classes and live, in-person classes for students interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician Training course prepares students for work at hospitals, cardiologist offices, surgery centers, mobile EKG technicians, and other clinical settings.
Students prepare to administer diagnostic tests to patients pre-surgery or to patients who may have cardiac problems.
This program costs $129.
According to the academy’s website, 95% of the school’s students pass their state board exams on their first try.
The exam fee is $99 and includes one attempt on the final exam, additional practice exams, and study material straight from the National Performance Specialist.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 E Bay Dr. Suite 210, Largo, FL 33771
- Phone: (727) 614-8400
- Website: https://www.elitemedacademy.com
10Florida Agricultural Mechanical University
About the School
Among many other career paths, Florida Agricultural Mechanical University offers Electrocardiography Technician Certification Training.
This in-depth course trains students to apply, monitor, and measure electrocardiography tests in a flexible, online learning environment.
Students learn subjects needed to earn a nationally recognized EKG technician certification:
- Measuring basic vital signs
- Performing rapid response procedures
- Operating an EKG machine
- Identifying rhythms
The course offers enrollment with a voucher for the Certified EKG Technician Specialist certification exam of the Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following in its course list:
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control
- Communication and Legal Issues in Healthcare
- History of EKG
- EKG Introduction
- EKG Interpretation
- EKG Application Theory
- EKG Application Procedure
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307
- Phone: (850) 599-3000
- Website: https://www.famu.edu
Regional Salary in Oregon
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medford, OR | 60 | $96,390 | $46.34 | $105,680 | $68,460 |
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 410 | $80,790 | $38.84 | $124,990 | $46,400 |
Salem, OR | 70 | $95,350 | $45.84 | $138,640 | $53,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career in healthcare, becoming a Certified EKG Technician can be the first step.
Now that you have read our list of ten of the best EKG Technician training programs in the state of Oregon it’s time to continue the research and decide if this is the path you want to pursue and what school will help you get started.