Even if you only learned about it from a hospital show on TV, you’ve probably heard about an EKG. Think of a patient connected to a machine that produces an electrocardiogram so physicians can diagnose and treat heart conditions. But the doctor is reading the results of a test that an EKG Technician ran. It’s important work that is in demand. Sound interesting? It is! Find out why it might be the healthcare career for you.
1. EKG Technicians Are Important Members of Healthcare Teams
You may not realize it, but the work you do as an EKG technician can have a big impact on the lives of others. Patients depend on the results of the electrocardiograms and stress tests that you administer to find out what may be wrong with their health and how they can improve it. Doctors use the data from the tests that you take to make diagnoses and set up treatment plans. The work that you do could potentially save lives, which is something you can feel proud of every day.
2. EKG is a Short Training Program
You don’t need years of medical school to work as a healthcare professional. To become a certified EKG Technician, you only need 10 to 20 weeks of training. In that time, you can learn how to use and maintain EKG equipment, obtain diagnostic images, and review their quality. You also learn how to make patients comfortable, how to update electronic medical records, and how to create results summaries for physicians. After a few short months of classroom and hands-on instruction, you’ll be ready to sit for the EKG Technician (CET) certification administered by the National Healthcareer Association. Then, you’ll be ready to start your new career!
3. EKG Technicians Are in Demand
Employment of EKG technicians is expected to grow faster than the average through 2031. As current technicians retire or leave the medical field, they need to be replaced. Plus, there’s a growing population of older Americans who require more medical care and testing, making the need for new EKG technicians very important.
4. EKG Technicians Work in a Variety of Settings
EKG technicians can be found in a variety of medical facilities, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and diagnostic laboratories. Since EKG Technicians are employed across the U.S. you can also find work in other cities or states if you need to relocate. You’ll want to check with the requirements of your state and your potential employer to make sure you have the right qualifications. You’ll also need to keep your certification up to date.
5. EKG Technicians Keep Moving
If the idea of sitting behind a desk gives you anxiety, you’ll like the idea of moving all day. As an EKG technician, you’re up and about and on your feet, as you operate the EKG machine. You may need to physically lift or turn patients to get them into the right position, and you may also need to move, lift, or adjust the equipment. Throughout a typical day, you may move back and forth between patient rooms and the workroom. You also keep the machines clean and ensure they stay in proper working order. Set your pedometer because this is a career that will help you get your steps in.
Are you ready to consider a career as a certified EKG technician? Contact Charter Career Academy today. We offer EKG Technician training that’s flexible and affordable. You learn the fundamentals of the profession online and then partner with Utah and Idaho healthcare facilities for your clinical training. Complete your program in as few as 10 weeks! Classes are enrolling now. Fill out the form to learn more.