EKG Technician - heart monitoring expert.

EKG technicians play a very important role in the medical field.

They are responsible for the interpretation of heart monitors or ekgs. Ekgs are machines that show the electrical impulses that are created by the heart. An Ekg may be done as part of a routine medical check up or it may be done if an individual is suspected to have heart or coronary problems. The interpretation allows physicians to be able to diagnose cardiovascular problems in individuals.

This is an exciting and rewarding career for people who like a challenge. Additionally, the job opportunities are expected to be plentiful as the population continues to age. An individual who is desiring to work in this field should have a strong background in science, math, technology and also be able to work greatly with other people. He or she should also possess super communication skills. Possessing all of the required skills will allow a person's career in health care to be more fulfilling.

EKG Technician Training

The education required to become a ekg technician varies greatly from state to state. All states require an individual to have at least a high school diploma and a certification. Many individuals receive on the job training for 16 to 18 weeks in a hospital under the supervision of a physician or other medical personnel. Some hospitals allow a person to complete the on the job training in as little as 4 weeks. Others may hold associate degrees from a program at a technical or community colleges. Many states require that a person have a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license beforehand. Individuals who are wishing to perform advanced testing (such as stress testing or holter monitoring) are required to have more EKG technician training. Nowadays, training can be done online through certified online schools that offer the program...read more

Most EKG technicians work in hospitals. Even though the employment opportunities are expected to be great for everyone in this field, those who perform multiple tasks are expected to have the most job security. There are also jobs outside the hospitals like at doctors' offices especially cardiovascular doctors.

An EKG technician is and will always be an asset to the medical world. After all, they help diagnose problems of one of the body's most important organs, the heart. It takes a special type of person, with a lot of "heart" along with the right skills and personality, to be able to work in this profession. If a person chooses to become an ekg tech, the rewards of this career will far exceed the challenges of it.

EKG Technician Salary

The salary of an ekg technician varies depending on the level of training and education he or she has. The average salary is around $24,000 per year, but some people may make as much as $30,000 or as low as $22,000. Those who have multiple tasks are also expected to be among the highest earners. EKG technician salary also depends on how long have you been working, the longer and more experienced you are, the better chance you have to negotiate for your salary. Due to the nature of the job which is basically monitoring the patient 24 hours a day, an ekg technician can work double shifts if needed that can easily bump up their salary.