What is an ECG Technician?

An ECG technician operates the equipment used to measure, monitor, and display traces that illustrate the heart’s electrical activity. Physicians then use the electrocardiograph data collected by the ECG technician to diagnose and monitor a patient’s heart condition. 

What Does an ECG Technicians Do?

ECG technicians support physicians as they work to identify and treat any number of cardiovascular conditions. An ECG technician can be called upon to complete many tasks that involve interacting directly with a patient, working behind the scenes, and directly supporting the physician. They perform diagnostic and stress tests utilizing highly specialized equipment. With such a diverse list of responsibilities, it’s vital that an EKG technician is organized, technically proficient, caring, empathetic, and an excellent communicator. 

ECG Technician Duties

Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of ECG Technicians include:

• Asking patients about their medical histories
• Preparing patients for their procedures
• Ensuring the equipment is in good operating order
• Attaching sensors and electrodes to a patient’s arms, legs, and chest
• Administering EKG tests
• Verifying the quality of test data
• Reporting findings back to the physician

Where Do ECG Technicians Work?

EKG technicians can find work in any healthcare facility that may require the monitoring of a patient’s cardiovascular activity, including:

• Hospitals
• Surgical centers
• Cardiologists’ offices
• General practitioners’ offices
• Outpatient facilities 
  

  What Degree Do You Need to Be an ECG Technician?

  Any Medical Assistants interested in expanding their career and becoming an EKG technician will find the process relatively straightforward. Becoming an EKG technician typically requires either job experience or certification. In certain circumstances, an employer will train an existing employee to become an EKG technician. In fact, much of an EKG technician’s training will be provided by the employer. Such on-the-job training programs can take between four to six weeks to complete.

  Many employers require professional certification for their EKG technicians. Certification will help make finding a position significantly easier. If obtaining certification is required, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) offers a number of cardiovascular certifications, including Certified Cardiographic Technician, which includes EKG/ECG, stress testing, and Holter testing. 

  Why is EKG Technician a Great Alternative Career Path for Medical Assistants?

  Those with a Medical Assistant diploma make excellent candidates for EKG technician. For starters, their education and training provide candidates with a solid understanding of the many medical conditions monitored with an EKG machine. Understandably, patients undergoing an EKG can be under a fair deal of stress, so the skilled hands and knowledgeable demeanor of an E KG technician with Medical Assisting training will go a long way to put those patients at ease.

  Becoming an EKG technician is an outstanding career alternative for Medical Assistants looking to point their healthcare career toward a more specialized field. Other reasons to choose a career as an EKG technician are its growing job market, opportunities for advancement, and widespread availability of both full-time and part-time jobs. 

  How Much Do EKG Technicians Make?

  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary* for a cardiovascular technician is about $60,000, which works out to be just above $29 per hour. Salaries for cardiovascular technicians in the 90^thpercentile can reach as high as $96,000 or more.