Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician Course

Download the EKG information sheet

An EKG technician is a medical professional who administers tests to record and analyze electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. A technician typically works in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital and often runs the tests as a regular part of pre-surgery screening. Tests are also commonly performed by the technician as part of a general physical examination of a middle-aged person or one who has experienced past I cardiovascular problems. Our course prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team. To conduct a basic EKG test, the technician relaxes the patient as much as possible to get the most accurate results. S/He attaches three to 12 electrodes to specific points on the patient’s legs, chest, and arms. A nearby EKG machine reads the impulses generated by the electrodes. The test results, which are displayed as wave tracings, are printed onto paper. The technician reviews them and ordinarily highlights areas of concern before giving them to a physician for analysis.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency
• Prior experience in the field of healthcare - preferred

Course Learning Outcomes

This course covers key areas and topics such as detailed anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical disease processes and terminology, medical ethics and legal aspects of patient contact, electrocardiography and echocardiography, an introduction to the components, function, and proper use of the EKG machine, the normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement, 12-lead placement and other practices (Holter Monitor and stress test). Students will complete 10 successful EKG and interpretation before they can sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) examination.