EKG Technician Certification Online
Areas of Study
Course Type
Overview
Hours: 259 coursework hours, with 20 clinical hours | CEUs: 27.9
Ready to get certified for one of the most widely hired roles in healthcare? This program was designed to help you pass the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam and set you up for success as part of a fast-paced cardiology team. You’ll learn how to operate the electrocardiogram—an essential piece of hospital equipment—and work with doctors to interpret the results for patients. You’ll even earn yourself 20 clinical hours of hands-on experience, so if you’re ready to jump into the action ASAP, EKG technician training is the course of action for you. Remember that clinical opportunities vary, and we work with a vast network of healthcare organizations to find a good fit. But we can’t guarantee placement—or employment—in your area.
Key Concepts
What does an EKG technician do? Generally speaking, they test the electrical activity of the heart, which is pretty cool. But there’s more to it than that, of course. Here’s a look at what this role entails:
- Properly placing electrode patches on patients’ bodies
- Measuring basic vital signs
- Performing rapid response procedures
- Operating an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine
- Measuring and identifying rhythms
- Interpreting and summarizing EKG test results
Curriculum
Our 266-hour program is divided into 14 easy-to-finish courses and an externship experience (and it covers skills many EKG tech programs don’t, such as Holter monitoring and stress testing). Knock ‘em out and start your new job as a diagnostic dynamo.
- Program Orientation: EKG Technician
- HealthCare Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science
- General Patient Care
- Infection Control
- Externship Readiness Skills
- Patient Care Coordination and Education
- Communication and Customer Service in the Healthcare Office
- Medical Laws and Ethics
- EKG and Cardiovascular
- Career Success in Healthcare
- EKG Final Exam
- Fundamentals of HIPAA
- Initiating Your Externship
- Program Completion: EKG Technician
- Clinical Externship
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does EKG technician training take?
The fully online EKG technician coursework is designed to take 259 hours of study. There are also 20 clinical hours of workplace experience included. Combined, you can complete the entire program in as little as 8 months.†
Is financial assistance available?
CareerStep offers a variety of flexible payment options, installment plans, and even discounts for U.S. veterans, Active Duty service members, and their spouses. As CareerStep is not an educational institution, we cannot offer—or accept—traditional financial aid, such as student scholarships, loans, and grants through FAFSA. However, our low-cost training programs are affordably priced and our goal is to find a payment solution that meets your needs.
How much do EKG technicians make?
EKG technician salaries vary based on location and experience, but on average, EKG technicians make $40,800 per year.* Many techs also qualify for benefits.
What’s the job market like for EKG technicians?
It’s awesome! Hospitals and clinics everywhere are looking to hire certified EKG techs, so your prospects are promising. Heart health isn’t a trend, after all, and thanks to an aging population, industry experts expect the need for this role to grow 11% in the next 10 years.*
Are clinical hours included in my training?
Clinical hours are an essential component of your training—particularly as you work towards certification and potential employment. They give you a chance to test your current skill level and put all your new knowledge to work in real-world settings. That’s why we work with a vast network of healthcare organizations to provide these hands-on learning experiences. Please keep in mind that while clinical hours are included as part of your course, placement is based on a number of factors—including geography and availability—so we can’t guarantee that you’ll find placement in your area.
What does an EKG technician do?
EKG technicians provide assistance to doctors and cardiology staff by measuring patients’ basic vital signs, operating electrocardiogram machines and delivering their results, and performing rapid response procedures when needed.
