EKG technicians perform medical tests to help diagnose heart conditions. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement, but an associate’s degree or vocational training is preferred. Physical and personality traits are also important, as well as communication skills. The main duty is to perform electrocardiograms, but with additional training, technicians can specialize in various areas of cardiac testing.
EKG technician careers involve performing medical tests that help physicians make diagnoses, such as stress tests, cardiac scans, and EKGs. The minimum educational requirement to become an EKG technician is a high school diploma, although an associate’s degree in medical technology offers the advantages of having a supervisory position and a higher salary. An alternative to an associate degree is to receive training from a vocational school. In addition to educational requirements, most jobs require regional licensing as well as certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Rounding out the requirements are the possession of certain physical and personality characteristics.
In most countries, preparation to become an EKG technician can begin in high school and continue through a vocational school or community college. High school courses in biology, algebra, and physical education can be helpful, as well as studies in computer skills, typing, and grammar. Post-high school training will be toward an associate’s degree in medical technology and will involve instruction in medical terminology, cardiovascular drugs, and the medical sciences of anatomy and physiology. Other training will include patient care techniques, medical ethics, and supervised hands-on experience.
In addition to training, anyone wanting to become an EKG technician must have physical and character traits that will equip him or her for the job. Good physical health is required, along with a negative tuberculosis test and current immunizations. Since you will be interacting with patients, doctors and other members of the hospital’s healthcare team, excellent communication skills are required. You should also have good bedside posture and be able to help patients remain calm during the test.
The main duty of a member of this profession is to perform an electrocardiogram, which is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart. These tests help doctors diagnose different diseases by revealing abnormal heart rhythms and showing damage to the heart muscles. The EKG technician will first review the patient’s medical history and then proceed to attach electrodes to the patient’s chest, arms, and legs. In addition to performing the test, you may be asked to assist the doctor in interpreting the results. If an emergency occurs during the test, you can recognize it and help the doctor respond to it.
With additional training and experience, EKG technician roles can involve specializing in several areas of cardiac testing. These areas might include headbutt monitoring, which records the patient’s heart rate for a day or two, or stress testing, which monitors the patient’s heart during exercise. Other specialty areas include cardiac catheterization, phonocardiography, and vectorcardiography.
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