EKG technician is a promising career with a high median wage and excellent growth potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for EKG techs is set to increase as the population ages, driving the need for skilled professionals in cardiovascular health monitoring. If you’re wondering how to become an EKG technician, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss the essential steps to becoming an EKG technician, the training involved, and how certification could jumpstart towards your career in just a few months.
Steps to Become an EKG Technician
There are three primary steps to becoming an EKG technician:
- Get the Right EKG Training
- Gain Clinical Experience by Performing a Minimum of 10 EKGs
- Obtain Certification as an EKG Technician
Each of these steps is crucial in preparing you for a successful career in the healthcare industry. Let’s dive into each step in more detail.
Step 1: Get the Right EKG Training
Getting the right EKG technician training is the most critical part of the process. Quality training will teach you the skills necessary to perform electrocardiogram tests accurately and effectively. When selecting an EKG training program, you generally have two options:
Traditional Training Programs
- Full-Time Associate Degree Programs: These programs offer a comprehensive education in health sciences, including EKG training. A degree from a reputable university can enhance your resume and may be advantageous when applying for jobs. However, these programs have significant drawbacks:
- High Costs: Tuition fees for a full-time program can exceed $20,000. Many students are forced to rely on student loans, resulting in debt before even beginning their careers.
- Long Duration: Associate degree programs typically take around two years to complete, delaying your entry into the workforce.
- Unfocused Curriculum: Many classes within these programs are not directly related to EKG training, resulting in wasted time and effort.
- Fixed Schedules: Attending classes on a strict schedule can be challenging, especially for busy adults with other responsibilities.
- Certificate Programs: These programs focus on preparing you for an EKG technician career. While they are shorter than degree programs, they still have their issues:
- Enrollment Costs: Certificate programs can range from $4,000 to $10,000, and this does not include additional costs like transportation, parking, and materials.
- Long Duration: Certification programs often take around a year to complete.
- Hidden Costs: Besides tuition, there are other expenses such as gas, parking permits, books, and training materials.
- Lack of Accreditation: Some local EKG classes might be unaccredited, which raises red flags for potential employers.
A Modern Alternative: Online EKG Technician Programs
A more efficient and cost-effective option is to enroll in a modern, online EKG technician training program. These programs, provide all the training you need at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs.
Why Choose an Online EKG Technician Program?
- 100% Online and Self-Paced: Learn from the comfort of your home or wherever suits you best. You can complete the training at your own pace, fitting it around your schedule. No more driving to classes multiple times a week or dealing with fixed schedules.
- Accredited University Partnership: Preppy’s EKG tech program, for example, partners with Auburn, a reputable, non-profit accredited university, providing you with a certificate of completion from a recognized institution. This certificate can bolster your resume and show potential employers that you have received quality training.
- Focused Curriculum: Online programs are tailored specifically to EKG training. You will learn how to operate EKG machines, interpret 12-lead EKG strips, and much more about diagnostic electrocardiography, without unnecessary classes that do not directly relate to your future career.
- Quick Completion: You could complete these programs in as little as two months, allowing you to enter the job market much sooner than traditional programs.
Step 2: Gain Clinical Experience
Before you can sit for the certification exam, it’s crucial to gain hands-on experience by performing a minimum of 10 EKGs on live patients. This clinical experience is essential as it demonstrates that you are capable of conducting EKGs in real-world scenarios.
How to Get Clinical Experience with an Online Program?
Reputable online programs, often include an externship opportunity. An externship allows you to work in a healthcare facility for a few weeks, gaining invaluable clinical experience. This experience not only helps you fulfill the requirements for certification but also provides you with practical skills you can apply in your future job. The externship arranged by the program is a great addition to your resume and shows potential employers that you have had hands-on training.
Step 3: Get Certified as an EKG Technician
EKG tech certification is vital for building trust with employers and proving your expertise. As an EKG technician, you will be responsible for monitoring and analyzing patients’ cardiovascular health, which is a serious responsibility. Healthcare facilities prefer to hire individuals who are certified and can accurately conduct EKG tests.
Why Certification Matters
Having a certification, such as the Certified EKG Technician (CET) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), acts as a stamp of authority and reassures potential employers of your competency. Certification not only validates your skills but can also provide a competitive edge in the job market.
How to Get Certified
After completing your training, you need to apply for the certification exam through a recognized institution like the NHA. With programs like Preppy’s, you’ll receive the necessary preparation to “crush” the certification exam and become a certified EKG technician. Having the CET title after your name signals to employers that you meet industry standards, increasing your job prospects.
Why Choose Preppy’s EKG Technician Program?
Preppy’s online EKG Tech certification program stands out as a modern, comprehensive solution for those looking to become EKG technicians without the pitfalls of traditional education.
Key Features of Preppy’s Program
- Accredited Certification: In partnership with Auburn, a top-ranked, non-profit accredited university, Preppy’s program provides a certificate of completion, enhancing your resume.
- Self-Paced and 100% Online: Learn at your own pace with the flexibility to fit training around your personal schedule. This convenience eliminates the need for commuting to a campus.
- Short Completion Time: The program is designed to be laser-focused on EKG training, allowing you to complete it in as little as two months.
- Preparation for Certification: The program thoroughly prepares you for the NHA’s CET exam, ensuring you have the skills and knowledge to pass with confidence.
- Externship Included: Preppy arranges an externship opportunity for you, enabling you to gain the necessary clinical experience to sit for the certification exam.
- Affordable Pricing: Preppy’s program costs just $1,599, which is far more affordable than traditional programs. Payment plans are also available.
Conclusion
Becoming an EKG technician could be a quick and affordable process if you choose the right training program. The steps to your new career are straightforward: get quality training, gain hands-on experience, and get certified. With programs like Preppy’s, you could achieve all of this in just a few months, without the burden of student debt or unnecessary classes.
If you’re ready to kickstart towards your career as an EKG technician, consider exploring Preppy’s certification program and start your journey towards a rewarding career in healthcare today.
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About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
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