Online EKG courses are available for those seeking a career as an EKG technician. The best course depends on the medical environment targeted for employment, and advanced training leads to more job opportunities. EKG technicians use EKG machines to monitor patients’ heart health and can obtain national certification through an exam.
Online electrocardiography (EKG) courses are found in a variety of educational programs, including those that earn bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates. Some of these programs are specifically designed to prepare students for national certification exams. On an informal level, those interested in this career can take a non-credit EKG course online or receive on-the-job training.
EKG technicians use and interpret readings from an EKG machine that creates data based on the heart’s electrical impulses. This data is collected through electrodes connected to a patient. EKG testing is usually performed during regular checkups or as a screening step before a patient undergoes surgery. It can also be used to diagnose or treat heart or blood vessel problems.
The best online electrocardiogram course to take depends on the medical environment targeted for employment. In some cases, an EKG technician will work directly with patients. Other times, nurses handle the task of connecting EKG electrodes to a patient. If the setup has nurses completing the task, an EKG technician can be employed to monitor EKG readings in a group of patients from a centralized environment.
There is debate about which type of online EKG course is the best precursor to job entry. For example, those with some experience in the healthcare field can get on-the-job training. Those without a health background may need a bachelor’s degree. The best way to decide on an appropriate training program is to check with area medical institutions and ask what level of education they require of their EKG technicians.
Any online electrocardiogram course should include instructions on how to monitor electrocardiogram waveforms. This includes interpreting rhythms and arrhythmias and reporting this information to the medical staff supervising the patient being monitored. Other courses may include cardiac anatomy, cardiac and other medical terminology, cardiac medications, and how to maintain EKG equipment.
Opportunities to take an EKG course online include earning a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in cardiovascular technology, a certificate, and non-credit EKG technical courses. Generally, there are more job opportunities with advanced training. Those with advanced training are also often responsible for performing additional stress tests that involve monitoring a patient while they are running on a treadmill, for example. EKG technicians with advanced training may also administer a Holter monitor test, which involves attaching a portable EKG device to a patient for a set period of time, usually at least 24 hours.
In the US, it is also possible to take an exam and obtain national certification as an EKG technician. In some cases, this exam may be taken online at a pre-approved testing location. There are usually also specific educational requirements that must be met before taking the exam.
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