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EKG Technicians are essential members of the American healthcare system who use their diagnostic skills to help medical professionals and patients detect and treat cardiovascular issues like arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions, and heart valve disorders before they develop into more severe ailments.
EKG Technician Job Description
EKG Technicians are trained to record heart rhythms and activity by placing electrodes on crucial parts of the body.
Electrocardiogram results are printed on thermal paper and attached to patient records.
Doctors, nurses, and other licensed healthcare providers use the results of an electrocardiogram as diagnostic tools to make informed decisions about a patient’s cardiac health.
Administrative Duties and Clinical Skills
- Patient Education
- EKG Machine Operation
- Safety and Infection Control
- Equipment Maintenance
- Record Keeping
- Electrode Placement
- Patient Preparation
- Monitoring and Troubleshooting
- Patient Care and Comfort
What to Look for in an Online EKG Technician Program?
- Licensing and State Requirements
- Duration of the Program
- Job Placement Assistance
- Technology Requirements
- Program Cost and Financial Aid
- Curriculum
- Accreditation
- Certification Preparation
Who Certifies EKG Technicians?
Top agencies in the US issue allied healthcare certifications.
The National Healthcareers Association – NHA
The NHA offers one of the most respected and highly recognized certifications in the allied health field.
They offer CET certification and continuing education programs for EKG techs.
Technicians who sit for CET certification with the NHA can complete the application and exam online.
American Medical Certification Association
The AMCA offers two routes to EKG Certification.
Prospective technicians can qualify for CETS certification by completing EKG training, education programs, and the CET exam.
Experienced EKG technicians can qualify for certification through their on-the-job experience and by passing the CET exam.
Certified EKG Technician – CET
Technicians who hold CET certification have demonstrated their knowledge and skills and have proven that they can perform all the required administrative and clinical duties.
This certification tells employers that prospective hires are well-trained and competent.
Certified EKG technicians can boost their marketability and earning potential by holding a nationally recognized certification accepted by most allied healthcare employers in the US.
Best Online EKG Technician Programs (Complete Guide)
In the modern healthcare landscape, hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and healthcare facilities have set high standards for the competence of their EKG (Electrocardiogram) technicians.
These dedicated professionals are entrusted with a crucial role in patient care as they monitor and record vital cardiac data.
To ensure the highest quality of healthcare services and patient safety, many of these institutions insist that EKG technicians attain and maintain national certification.
Certification signifies a comprehensive understanding of cardiac diagnostics and demonstrates a commitment to the highest professional standards in the pursuit of optimal patient well-being.
Skilled diagnostic technicians like EKG Technicians are in high demand across America’s healthcare system.
New techs entering the field are learning how to administer diagnostic tests using the latest medical technology and equipment.
Below are some of the top programs in the US that offer online EKG Technician training as a route to national certification.
The online accredited EKG training programs below prepare students to work as entry-level EKG technicians immediately after passing a nationally recognized certification exam.
#1. – Loyola Marymount University – California
About the Program
Students who enroll in the EKG Technician Training Program offered by Loyola Marymount University are taught how to apply, monitor, and measure EKG rhythms using the latest technology and equipment.
The program prepares its students to complete EKG certification testing requirements for the NHA and AECA by offering 100 hours of online instruction.
This program requires its students to have a high school diploma or a GED.
There are alternative entry options for students who pass an entrance exam and those with previous healthcare experience.
Courses Offered
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control
- EKG Introduction
- History of EKG
- EKG Application Procedure and Theory
Contact Information
Address: 12105 East Waterfront Drive – Suite 200, Playa Vista, California – 90094
Website: Link
Phone: 310-338-2700
Program Cost:$2,645.00
#2. – Borough of Manhattan Community College
About the Program
This program provides online EKG Technician training with a clinical component.
The BMCC program offers students over a hundred hours of online instruction.
It prepares students to work alongside medical staff, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, administering and interpreting electrocardiograms.
Students who complete the course will learn about human anatomy and how to use and troubleshoot EKG equipment.
BMCC thoroughly prepares students to sit for industry certifications and begin working as entry-level EKG technicians in America’s healthcare system.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Introduction – EKG Technician
- EKG Interpretation
- Cardiac Emergencies
- Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias, Heart Blocks
Contact Information
Address: 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
Website: Link
Phone: (212) 220-8000
Program Cost:$1,995.00
#3. – Saint Peter’s University – School of Professional Studies
About the Program
Students must have a high school diploma or an equivalent to be eligible to enroll online for certification exams.
Saint Peter’s University’s 12-month online EKG program teaches students EKG theory, application, and medical terminology basics in 170 hours of online instruction.
This program also touches on the communication and legal aspects EKG techs should know when interacting with patients and medical staff.
They offer job placement assistance and an optional externship.
Courses Offered
- EKG Introduction
- EKG Interpretation
- EKG Application Theory
- History or EKG
- Infection Control
- Communication and Legal Issues in Healthcare
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
Contact Information
Address: 2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard – Jersey City, New Jersey – 07306
Website: Link
Phone: 855-520-6806
Program Cost:$1,995.00
*This program has monthly payment plans available.
#4. – Idaho State University – Pocatello, Idaho
About the Program
Idaho State University offers Basic EKG Interpretation as part of its Online Health Programs.
The Continuing Education Workforce Training Department program provides 12 hours of online training in its self-paced online course.
Students who take online EKG training must complete their online competency exam with a score of 80 or better to pass the course and are awarded a certificate upon completion.
Courses Offered
- Basic Heart Anatomy and Physiology
- Rhythm Interpretation
- Cardiac Monitoring
- Interpreting Rhythm Strips
Contact Information
Address: 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho – 83209
Website: Link
Phone: 208-282-3372
Program Cost: Please contact the program director for current pricing.
#5. – North Carolina A&T State University – Continuing Education
About the Program
North Carolina A&T State University prepares students with a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level employment as EKG technicians.
Their online EKG classes are compatible with mobile devices, giving students even more flexibility in taking coursework online.
The program is taught via video lesson presentations and classwork posted through their eLearning portal.
The North Carolina A&T program has an optional externship component where students are matched with local employers to gain hands-on experience.
This online training program lasts 2-4 months with hands-on clinical practice and is Certified by the National Healthcareers Association.
Criminal Background and Drug Screening may be required for externship students.
Courses Offered
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart
- Conducting Electrocardiograms
- Interpreting Electrocardiograms
- How to Interpret a Rhythm Strip
- Myocardial Infarction Training
Contact Information
Address: Greensboro, North Carolina – 27411
Website: Link
Phone: 888-574-6218
Program Cost: $1,299.00
*This online EKG program offers a monthly payment plan.
#6. – San Francisco State University
About the Program
Prepares students to complete ten live EKGs required for certification by the National Healthcareers Association.
Students who enroll in the EKG Technician program at San Francisco State have 6-9 months to complete this online program.
They offer a payment plan for students, and the program accepts new students four times per year.
Students can create an online ID and register for the program on the SFSU website.
Courses Offered
- Medical Disease Processes
- Medical Terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
- Introduction to Components, Function, and Proper Use of EKG Machine
Contact Information
Address: 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor – San Francisco, California – 94105
Website: Link
Phone: 415-817-4220
Program Cost: $1,299.00
#7. – US Career Institute
About the Program
US Career Institutes’ all-inclusive EKG program provides students with the education and foundational knowledge required to prepare for certification with the NHA.
This program is entirely online and allows students to choose their own live experience in hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices within 90 days of completing the program to earn the required ten EKGs on the live individuals component of their training.
Students who complete the program and the live experience component are eligible to sit for certification testing.
Graduates can begin working as entry-level EKG technicians upon completion of national certification testing.
Courses Offered
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Insurance
- Medical Records
- Interpreting EKG Test Results
- Ethical Standards for Healthcare Professionals
- Recording, Monitoring, and Reporting Vital Signs
- Holter and Ambulatory Monitoring
Contact Information
Address: 2001 Lowe Street – Fort Collins, Colorado –
Website: Link
Phone: 866-250-6851
Program Cost: $979.00
This program requires an application fee and offers a monthly payment plan.
Online EKG Technician Program – Courses
While the specific course titles for EKG classes vary between programs, the following concepts and principles are included as a component of most certification programs.
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Electrocardiography
- History of EKG
- Communication and Legal Issues in Healthcare
- EKG Application
- EKG Theory
- Patient Care and Safety
- Infection Control
- Medical Terminology
- EKG Equipment – Settings, Maintenance, and Disinfection
Tools and Resources Needed for Online EKG Technician Training
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Desktop or Laptop Computer
- Mobile Phone
- Active Email Account
- Note-taking Software
Can You Earn EKG Technician Certification Completely Online?
No.
Students who complete online EKG Technician certification programs are also required to complete a live experience component to sit for certification testing with the relevant accrediting bodies.
In most cases, students complete the online training, followed by a clinical part where they participate in externships or on-the-job training to earn ten live experience EKG credits that qualify them to take national certification tests.
It is important to note while some schools that offer online EKG training help students find placement in medical facilities like hospitals and clinics, other schools leave the live experience component portion up to the student and require them to find their own placement opportunities and on the job training at local medical facilities like hospitals where they can complete ten live EKGs within 90 days of completing online certification.
How Long Does it Take to Earn EKG Technician Certification Online?
Students who take online EKG Technician programs can complete self-paced programs within six months to one year of enrollment.
Taking online certification and EKG classes at their own pace allows some prospective technicians to fast-track their careers and begin working as entry-level technicians as soon as they complete the required training and complete the national certification exam!
How Much Does Online EKG Technician Certification Cost?
The cost for online EKG training varies by program.
Program costs range in between $500-$3000.00.
Many online EKG programs provide monthly payment options to help students cover the cost of their coursework.
Some programs also offer payment vouchers, scholarships, waivers, and financial aid to help offset the cost of the program.
If you have concerns about the cost of completing your EKG education online, talk to your program coordinator to learn what financial assistance options are available for you and your family.
Final Thoughts
Excited and aspiring EKG students will be happy that the US offers several online options for becoming certified EKG technicians.
They offer fast-track options for students who want to enter the field in just a few months versus taking EKG coursework for years.
The accredited programs listed above offer today’s busy students flexibility and affordable pricing on their route to obtaining EKG certification.
If you’re ready to take the next steps towards earning your EKG certification online – reach out to the program director of one of the online programs listed above.
Once you’ve decided on your ideal program that meets your lifestyle and budget, complete your courses online along with your practical in-person training and apply for certification with one of America’s top EKG technician certifying agencies to officially begin your new career as a Certified EKG technician!
