Lompoc Adult School and Career Center (LASCC)

How much does an EKG technician make?

According to Salary, the average annual EKG technician salary in the U.S. is $41,300 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $36,600 and $47,800. Compensation can vary depending on education, certifications, additional skills, and/or the number of years you have spent in your profession.

What is an EKG technician?

According to Zippia, as an EKG technician, you operate advanced equipment and machines to diagnose and identify patients' conditions with cardiovascular problems. Once the results of the EKG are in, these technicians endorse the results to the physicians assigned to the patient. EKG Technicians are neither doctors nor are they expected to be medically trained.

What does an EKG technician do?

EKG technicians typically work in hospital settings, outpatient clinics, diagnostic testing centers, labs, nursing and long-term care homes, and private physicians’ practices. EKG technicians generally perform the following duties:

• Position patients correctly for monitoring
• Educate patients about the testing procedures
• Run EKGs and attach leads to patients, chest, arms, and legs
• Perform stress tests
• Prep patients for Holter monitoring (a type of ambulatory EKG device)
• Obtain a baseline record of the heart’s function for comparison to future electrocardiograms
• Deliver test results to physicians, nurse practitioners, or other medical professionals.
• Perform administrative tasks related to patient appointments and record-keeping
• Maintain EKG equipment
• Schedule appointments
• Assist physicians during procedures

What certification does this course prepare me for?

The Certified EKG Technician (CET), provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will have the foundational knowledge required for national certification through the NHA. To qualify for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) full certification, Certified EKG Technician (CET), you may utilize the included Clinical Experience Guide to achieve the clinical requirements (10 EKGs on live humans). Additionally, in order to qualify for the certification exam, a High School Diploma, or equivalent is required.

Note: It is the responsibility of each student to obtain the Live EKG experience and ed2go is not responsible for providing or assisting with the required clinicals. 

When can I start this course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

Can I register for courses if I am an international student?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

How long does it take to complete this course?

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

EKG technicians need to be able to read, monitor, and report EKG tests precisely and accurately, communicate with doctors, nurses, and other professionals to provide essential healthcare, use electrocardiography equipment, interpret and calculate data, relate to patients and understand the difficulties and stress they may encounter.

How long does it take to complete this course?

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

What kind of support will I receive?

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us.”

1. Introduction to Medical Terminology
2. The Musculoskeletal System
3. The Cardiovascular System
4. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
5. The Respiratory System
6. The Digestive System
7. The Urinary System
8. The Nervous System
9. The Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
10. The Integumentary System
11. The Endocrine System
12. The Reproductive System
13. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology

1. Introduction: EKG Technician
2. Ethics, Compliance, and Communication
3. Safety and Patient Care
4. Patient Vital Signs
5. Electronic Medical Records
6. Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
7. EKG Equipment Settings and Supplies; Maintenance and Disinfection
8. Patient Preparation and Positioning
9. Lead Placement and Artifacts
10. Monitoring Patient Condition, Adverse Reactions, and Emergencies
11. Fundamentals of EKG Analysis: EKG Tracing and Waveforms
12. Waveform Symmetry, Direction and Amplitude
13. EKG Analysis: Heart Rate Calculation
14. EKG Analysis: Determining the Heart Rhythm
15. Heart Electrical Physiology 
16. EKG Interpretation: Sinus and Atrial Arrhythmias 
17. Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias, Heart Blocks
18. EKG Interpretation: Pacemakers 
19. EKG Interpretation: Cardiac Emergencies 
20. The Way Forward: NHA Test Preparation and Career Path 

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook device.

• PC: Windows 10 or later operating systems.
• Mac: OS X 10.11 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
• Other: Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Medical Terminology course:

• Medical Terminology for Health Professions

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Certified EKG Technician course:

• ECG: Essentials of Electrocardiography, 1st edition by Cathy Soto

Please Note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

To be eligible for enrollment you should have one of the following: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent, entrance test, or previous healthcare experience.

To qualify for the NHA CET certification, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, successfully complete the course, and you must provide proof of 10 successfully performed EKGs on live individuals.

This course meets all state requirements. 

This course is open enrollment. You can enroll and begin any time.

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL NOW IN GES1011 – Certified EKG Technician (Voucher Included)