EKG technician: Job duties, education & certification

EKG technician career overview

What is an EKG technician?

Electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians are allied health professionals that measure the natural electrical activity of a patient’s heart using specialized equipment. Physicians and other healthcare providers use the information they collect to understand a patient’s cardiac health and make diagnoses and treatment plans as needed.

Some people may refer to EKG technicians as ECG technicians, which are the same thing. EKG comes from the German spelling (Elektrokardiogramm) which is more commonly used in the United States.

There are no standardized requirements to become an EKG technician. Generally speaking, most EKG technicians must complete an EKG technician training program, many of which can be done in as little as three to six months.    

A career as an EKG technician can be a great way to enter the healthcare field or have a fulfilling and stable career to last a lifetime.

The role of the EKG technician

EKG technicians work with patients of all ages to monitor and interpret their cardiac health using EKG tests. There are a few types of EKG tests, but all of them measure the electrical activity in the patient’s heart via sensors (called electrodes) that are attached to the body. The electrical activity is automatically recorded on a monitor or printed out of a piece of paper.

“EKG techs work in hospitals and they perform electrocardiograms on inpatients and outpatients,” said Terri Glazewski, one of the program advisers for the EKG/Cardiac Monitor Technician certificate program at Edmonds College in Lynnwood, Washington. “Their day is filled with going from room to room, performing EKGs on patients with various medical and surgical problems.”

Physicians may order EKG tests for numerous reasons. Patients experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and more may need an EKG which can help detect:

There are three primary kinds of EKG tests:

EKG technician job duties

EKG technicians perform all the duties associated with administering EKG tests, including:

• Preparing patients for EKGs: Explain the process; answer any patient questions; shave any of the patient’s body hair if it’s excessive enough to interfere with the electrodes; attach electrodes to the patient’s body, making sure they remove any jewelry or clothing that could interfere with the test; provide a gown for the patient’s privacy, if necessary.
• Conducting EKGs: Start the machine to record the patient’s electrical activity in the heart, which typically lasts about five minutes.
• Interpreting EKGs: Deliver the test results to the patient’s physician(s) or other relevant members of their medical team.
• Documenting EKG results: Record test results in patient’s medical record; write up reports for the patient’s medical team.
• Maintaining EKG equipment: Understand how the equipment works and when technical assistance is necessary to keep the equipment working properly; take and track inventory of EKG equipment.

What education and credentials do I need to work as an EKG tech?

Most employers require EKG technicians to complete an EKG technician training program and/or have an EKG technician certification. At the absolute least, EKG technicians must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education. The truth is that the process of becoming an EKG technician is not the same everywhere—what you need to become an EKG technician really comes down to the requirements of individual employers and any state-specific requirements that may exist for allied health professionals where you live. In fact, some employers may even offer on-the-job training, meaning you may not need any prior healthcare experience to become an EKG technician.

Why education matters

Glazewski stressed that a solid educational foundation is going to prepare you for the job way more than just doing the bare minimum. Plus, it could lead to better patient outcomes.

“Some people will just take an online class to learn EKG. However, that is really pushing the job as a technician and not a practitioner. You have the technical skills to do the EKG, but you don’t have the education to go, ‘Wow, this EKG is very problematic.’ I mean, anybody can read what the computer says. But the computer is not always right, and there are lots of times in my career that the computer is wrong. Having the education to know what the rhythm actually is makes you be better because you can go to the nurse who’s busy and say, ‘I need to look at this right now,’ versus throwing the EKG results on the desk for someone to look at later.”

“Having the education to know what the rhythm actually is makes you be better because you can go to the nurse who’s busy and say, ‘I need to look at this right now,’ versus throwing the EKG results on the desk for someone to look at later.”

EKG technician certificate programs

Numerous community and technical colleges offer EKG technician training programs. Most are certificate programs that can vary in length from school to school, but they are usually between three and nine months long. It’s common for shorter programs to require students to complete a few general prerequisite courses prior to applying to the program, whereas longer programs may already have these courses built into the program itself. Either way, you can expect to take courses in the following subjects as part of an EKG technician program:

Some certificate programs also require that students complete a clinical experience or externship to graduate. These programs place students in a healthcare setting where they can observe and receive training from experienced professionals.

EKG technician certifications

Certifications are another great way to validate the skills needed to be a successful EKG technician. There are several EKG certifications available—some employers may prefer you to have one over the other. To earn a certification, you must satisfy the eligibility requirements and pass an exam. Here are some of the most common EKG technician certifications and what you need to earn them:

Name of certification and provider	Exam eligibility requirements
Certified EKG Technician (CET) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)	Possess a high school diploma or equivalent education, complete an EKG technician training or education program within the last five years and provide proof that you have successfully performed a minimum of 10 EKGs on live individuals OR Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, have one year of supervised work experience in a EKG technician field within the last three years (or two years of experience within the last five years) and provide proof that you have successfully performed a minimum of 10 EKGs on live individuals
Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)	Possess a high school diploma or equivalent education AND Currently enrolled as a student or graduate of a cardiovascular or allied health training program OR currently or previously employed in the field of cardiovascular technology or an allied health field recognized by the American Medical Association OR completed requirements for a graduate or undergraduate degree from a recognized institution in a field related to science or physical health
Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)	Same eligibility requirements as CCT exam above
Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NRCEKG) from the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)	A credential-relevant approved program of study from an educational institute accredited by the Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association (CAHEA), Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or any accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education OR Two years of medical training in the United States Armed Forces OR Two years of full-time professional experience in a credential-relevant field

What’s it like to work as an EKG technician?

Glazewski said that a job as an EKG technician can be an excellent way to gain exposure to the field of healthcare or a rewarding career all on its own. “If somebody is kind of concerned whether patient care is for them, it’s a great way to explore and see if they are comfortable.”

EKG technicians can also usually enjoy flexible scheduling options, and most hospitals don’t schedule EKG technicians 24/7. “You’re not in a position where you’re going to have to work night shifts,” Glazewski said.

Although a given day on the job can be quite mellow, EKG technicians do encounter stressful emergency scenarios. “Sometimes they’ll have to go and do an EKG in an emergency when a patient is having a cardiac arrest, and it’s very stressful for them because nurses are trying to start IVs, doctors are doing other things, and they have to get in there and do what they need to do and they have to be accurate and detailed.”

What skills should EKG techs have?

Glazewski said all EKG technicians should have the following skills if they wish to be successful:

• Communication skills are essential for positive patient interactions, answering their questions, helping them feel comfortable as well as interacting with the rest of the medical staff.  
• Flexibility is important when dealing with patients, too. Patients may not want to get an EKG done for any number of reasons, but a good EKG technician, Glazewski said, should be able to respond to the patient’s needs and find a way to deliver care comfortably.
• Critical thinking skills are necessary for EKG technicians to be able to interpret EKG results and respond in a way that is appropriate for each situation.
• Emotional fortitude is an essential part of any healthcare career. When you’re working with ill patients, you’re not usually seeing people (or their families) at their best. “You have to be able to walk out the door, leave it behind and go, ‘Tomorrow’s a new day.’”

EKG technician salary and job growth

The median annual salary for cardiovascular technologists and technicians is $74,310 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Your salary as an EKG technician depends on several factors including your education, experience, work environment and possibly any certifications you may possess. Glazewski said that many EKG technician roles have the chance to work overtime and earn extra income, if they choose.

According to the BLS, most EKG techs work in hospitals. Others work in physician offices, outpatient care centers, specialty hospitals and medical and diagnostic labs. Some EKG technicians may also find work in research settings or for home health care agencies.

“The majority of them are going to work in acute care hospitals,” Glazewski said.

In general, the employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians is expected to grow 3.7% through 2035, about as fast as average across all occupations. One of the ways the BLS accounts for this growth is that as the baby boomer population continues to age, conditions such as blood clots and heart disease will likely increase. The demand for EKG tests—and EKG technicians—should rise as well.  

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)