Advancement With additional education and experience, EKG technicians may perform specialized testing such as ambulat ory monitoring and stress testing. Opportunities exist to branch into equipment sales and marketing. Licensure/Certification Electrocardiograph technicians are not licensed in the state of Florida. A voluntary national certification is available through an exam offered by the National Health Career Association may be a condition for employment. Salary The average annual salary for an electrocardiograph technician in 2009 was $30,640. Educational Programs Certificate Bradford-Union Area Vocational-Technical Center Charlotte Technical Center D. A. Dorsey Educational Center Henry W. Brewster Technical Center Lee County High Tech Center - North Lee County High Tech Center Central Lively Technical Center Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology Manatee Technical Institute Miami Skill Center Pinellas Technical Education Center - Clearwater Suwannee-Hamilton Technical Center Technical Educational Center Osceola Thomas P. Haney Technical Center Washington-Holmes Technical Center Professional Associations Cardiovascular Credentialing International, Inc.

Electrocardiograph technicians, commonly called EKG technicians, operate noninvasive equipment which prints graphic tracings of electrical impulses transmitted by the heart.

The graphic tracing is interpreted by the physician to aid in the diagnosis of heart disease, monitor the effect of drug therapy, and analyze changes in the condition of the patient's heart over a period of time. Computerized electrocardiograph equipment has the capability of analyzing the graphic tracing. The EKG technician is responsible for maintaining the equipment and supplies, preparing the patient for the test and monitoring the patient during the procedure. Additional duties may include scheduling of appointments, data entry into computerized machines, typing of physicians' interpretations, and maintaining patient files.

Areas of Specialization
In addition to performing routine diagnostic electrocardiograms, EKG technicians may specialize in continuous ambulatory (Holter) monitoring or cardiac stress testing. Holter monitoring records a patient's cardiac rhythm for a 24 to 48 hour period, while patients pursue their normal routines. Cardiac stress testing monitors and records a patient's cardiac rhythm during a period of prescribed exercise.

Work Environment
EKG technicians work in hospital cardiology departments, physicians' offices, cardiac rehabilitation centers, health maintenance organizations, or clinics. In the hospital setting most EKGs are performed at the patient's bedside, thus EKG technicians will spend a significant amount of time walking and standing. Employees serving as monitor techs may be subjected to long hours of sitting in confined quarters.

Job Outlook
The number of job openings for EKG technicians has declined. Redesign within the healthcare system has resulted in cross-training so that other health care workers have assumed these responsibilities, and EKG technicians have been assigned additional or other responsibilities. Job openings in Florida will vary, but will favor EKG technicians with the advanced training to perform Holter monitoring and stress testing.

Length of Training/Requirements
Health care workers desiring to be cross-trained to perform EKGs can obtain the necessary education at technical centers or private career schools. Cross training classes are approximately 75 hours in length and prepare the individual to function at the aide level. Programs which prepare individuals as EKG technicians are found at technical centers, community colleges, and private career schools. The usual length of these programs is 465 hours (four months). Program content includes classroom instruction in anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the cardiac and vascular system, medical terminology, cardiovascular medications, patient care techniques, interpretation of cardiac rhythm, medical ethics, and a clinical practicum.