EKG Technician

Electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians trace electrical impulses from the heart using EKG equipment, under supervision of a physician. EKGs are typically performed before surgery and sometimes as part of a routine physical examination.

EKG technicians should have an aptitude for mechanical work. They need to be able to follow detailed instructions and be reliable. The must have the ability to ease patients' minds with their relaxed and calm personality. They typically must be strong enough to move patients around and mater new technology easily.

Education and Credentials Required
EKG technicians can attend any of 29 one-year certificate programs in the United States that are certified by Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology. It is quite common, however for EKG technicians to receive on the job training only, as most employers tend to hire people already working in healthcare or people with healthcare experience.

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for EKG technicians are expected to rise faster than average. The ageing of the baby boomers drives the increase in demand, along with the tendency for patients to prefer non-radiologic procedures. While hospitals will continue to be the main type of employer, most new jobs will arise in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. Demand, however, will be diminished by the practice of training nurses to perform basic EKG procedures. Training in Holter monitoring and stress testing will increased the odds of your finding a job in this field.

Salary Range
The median salary, as of 2002, for EKG technicians was $36,430. Freelance EKG technicians can expect to earn significantly more per hour than salaried EKG technicians. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income. EKG technicians rarely pay for their own health benefits and retirement benefits, as they are rarely self-employed. Hospitals typically employ more EKG technicians than doctors’ offices, but private practices pay around $3,000 a year better, on average.