EKG Technician | Critical Care Education

EKG Technician

Critical Care Education's EKG Technician Program will prepare you to enter to field as an EKG Technician

WHAT IS AN EKG TECHNICIAN

ECG/EKG Certified Technicians, also known as Electrocardiograph technicians or Cardiovascular technicians, perform EKGs readings, Holter Monitoring, Lead Placement, Stress Tests (usually on a treadmill), and Holter Monitoring in a clinic setting. EKG Technicians do not typically work in a hospital but work in office or clinic in what is known as outpatient procedures.

A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, shows how your heart works during physical activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster, an exercise stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within your heart. A stress test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored or you'll receive a drug that mimics the effects of exercise.

Holter monitoring is placing a small, wearable device that records a patient’s heart rhythm for a period of hours, days, or weeks. The Holter monitor is a machine that is used to continuously monitor and record the electrical activity of a patient’s heart for a 24-hour period. A Holter monitor is usually performed after a traditional test to check your heart rhythm (electrocardiogram), especially if the electrocardiogram doesn't give the doctor enough information about your heart's condition.

EKG Tech Duties and Responsibilities

An EKG technician mainly perform stress tests and Holter monitoring but because of their advanced training can perform 12 lead EKG’s and duties of Telemetry and Monitor Technicians.

Daily Responsibilities

To assist the medical staff with stress testing by preparing the patient and monitoring the patient while gradually increasing the treadmill's speed to observe the effect of increased exertion. The EKG Technician will also assist with Holter Monitoring by setting up monitor on patient, interpreting data for the physician, and documenting rhythms and waveforms to the appropriate medical chart.

Interaction with patients

EKG Technicians may document the patient's medical history and helping prepare patients for tests and accounting for safety. EKG Technician’s assist with Stress Testing by obtaining a baseline reading and resting blood pressure, placing electrodes on the patient's chest, attaching the electrodes to a portable EKG monitor, and connecting the patient to an EKG monitor. An EKG technician assists with Holter monitoring a will adhere electrodes to the patient's chest, arms, and legs (depending on the machine used) following manufactures recommendations. EKG Technician’s may perform a 12 lead EKG as requested.

Report Changes

EKG Technician’s must be able to demonstrate teamwork by communicating effectively and working cooperatively with others to optimize job performance and foster productive working relationships. EKG Technician’s will be responsible to monitor the heart's performance while the patient is walking on a treadmill and alert the team of any changes in rhythm, rate, and blood pressure.

Update Patient Records

After a stress test data is collected, the EKG technician prints an EKG for evaluation by the physician. EKG Technicians are responsible to remove and interpret the data collected from the Holter monitor device and provide the information for evaluation by a physician. EKG technicians may be responsible to update patient records after the physician has evaluated the data.

Maintain Equipment

EKG Technician’s for proper cleaning and storage of equipment. EKG Technician’s may be responsible for testing EKG machines to make sure they are working functionally and updating staff on machines and equipment that is not working properly.

EKG Tech Jobs Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipated that the decade 2014-2024 could see, work and employment of every single cardiovascular professional and technologist, an increment by 22% (www.bls.gov). As the population grows old, more aged individuals will require more EKGs, since coronary illness and other cardiovascular issues become increasingly predominant with age.

Monitor Technician Training

Critical Care Education will prepare you to enter the field of Telemetry Technician by providing the skills and knowledge to understand and interpret EKG’s. This is the knowledge needed to apply and obtain a career in this exciting field.