If you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field, learning how to perform EKGs can be a good starting point.
Attending an EKG training program is the first step towards a career as an EKG technician.
If you live in South Dakota and you want to start a career as an EKG Technician this page will provide you with information about the best training programs that can prepare you for a career in this field.
Here we will compile information about the curriculum, program duration, tuition costs, admission requirements, and other relevant factors.
Most programs that prepare students for the EKG technician profession cover topics such as:
- Cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Infection control and standard precautions
- Proper machine maintenance
- Electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Communication methods
Most programs are available online and can be completed from the comfort of your home.
During their training students prepare for national certifications that can be used anywhere in the United States.
1American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
About the School
The American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians offers EKG Technician programs available to students at many locations in the United States, including Rapid City, South Dakota.
According to its website, the American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians provides the most cost-effective, user-friendly certification experience available.
Its members have access to highly qualified national certification, and competency-based programs designed to be completed by each student at their own pace.
Courses Offered
This EKG Technician program is comprised of 40-80 class hours and 20-40 clinical hours.
Classes typically have between 10 and 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.
The cost for a two-year EKG certification period is $200.
This includes competency-based study guides, unlimited access to practice exams, and one chance to take the certification exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1025, Washington D.C. 20006
- Phone: (888) 797-9354
- Website: https://npscerts.com/ekg-certification
2Sioux Falls School District
About the School
Sioux Falls School District helps students prepare for a career as an EKG technician.
An asynchronous course that trains students to work as EKG techs and prepares them for the National Healthcareer Association nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam is available.
Courses Offered
Students enrolled in this program learn the following skills:
- 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 and 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: 201 East 38th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/sfsd
3AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare
Fully online classes are also available at AlliedRx 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 Sioux Falls.
The fully online 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
Tuition for this ten-week program is $1,350.
A fast-track option that can be completed in five weeks is also available.
Contact Information
- Phone: (866) 348 – 6920
- Website: https://www.alliedrxtraining.com/ekg-technician-online-program/sioux-falls-sd
4Southeast Technical College
About the School
Southeast Technical College provides a variety of healthcare programs.
The following courses are included in the college’s catalog:
- Allied Health Certificate
- Behavioral and Mental Health Technician
- Healthcare Leadership
- Medical Assisting
- Paramedic Science
- Phlebotomy Technician Certificate
- And more
The Allied Health certificate program includes 16 credits and aims to broaden students’ background in general studies with an emphasis on life science and health.
The Paramedic Science program prepares students for more complex emergency procedures, including giving medication orally and intravenously, interpreting electrocardiograms, and using other monitors and complex equipment.
This program includes 62 credits in total and consists of courses in Cardiology, Medical Emergencies, Patient Assessment, EMS, and General Education.
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 605-367-7624
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
5California State University Long Beach
Online programs are also available at many schools located in other states.
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 outline includes:
- 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
6St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University offers a variety of comprehensive workforce certificate programs tailored to meet the needs of students and organizations.
Fully online and self-paced learning programs are offered at the university.
Financing is also available for students who qualify.
Among many other programs, 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 that students can complete in less than 12 months.
Students attend classes 15 to 20 hours per week.
Tuition for the EKG Technician Certificate program at St. Ambrose University is $2,000.
Courses Offered
The program curriculum 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, allowing them to balance their studies with a job and personal commitments.
Contact Information
- Address: 518 W Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803
- Phone: 877-462-0521
- Website: https://workforce.sau.edu
7Mississippi State University
About the School
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 Technicians 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 they need before being prepared to get certified and ready for 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
8Elite 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 more.
Students enrolled in this program 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 provided 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
9Florida Agricultural Mechanical University
About the School
Another Florida university that provides online EKG technician training is Florida Agricultural Mechanical University
Among many other training programs, the university offers an Electrocardiography Technician Certification.
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 and become prepared to perform tasks such as:
- Measuring basic vital signs
- Performing rapid response procedures
- Operating an EKG machine
- Identifying cardiac rhythms
The course offers enrollment with a voucher for the Certified EKG Technician Specialist certification exam or the Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following topics 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
10E&S Academy
E&S Academy offers an EKG Technician program that is available online and leads to certification.
This program costs $500 and includes 80 lessons that cover 75 hours of training.
Students can complete the program after four weeks of self-paced online learning.
They can start anytime after enrollment.
The training includes interactive videos, lectures, and quizzes.
Clinical practice, externships, and internships are not required or included.
Course certification is approved by the board of education and nationally approved by the NHA and NCCT.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician course includes:
- The anatomical structure of the heart and its electrical properties
- Components of a normal EKG complex
- Knowledge about electrocardiography
- The mechanisms behind prescribed cardiac drugs and their side effects
- The five-step EKG interpretation method
- And more
Contact Information
- Phone: 844-372-2233
- Website: https://esacademy-usa.com
Regional Salary in South Dakota
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sioux Falls, SD | 80 | $62,590 | $30.09 | $80,720 | $41,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
On this page, we have compiled information about some of the best EKG technician schools in South Dakota.
Now that you have read our selection the next step is to continue with your own research and choose the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations.