If you’re considering entering the medical field, and don’t want to spend too much time in school, perhaps a job as an EKG tech could be of interest.
Here’s where you’ll learn whether you’re fit for this position or not, and everything you need to do to become one in Alabama.
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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Alabama
It’s highly likely that you have no clue what an EKG tech is supposed to do.
An EKG technician helps physicians discovering and treating illnesses related to the heart and blood vessels.
Here are some of the job duties this technician has to complete:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verify patients identity
- Performing EKG
- Point of care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining your area and equipment
EKG Tech Job Requirements in Alabama
As far as the requirements you need to meet to be hired for this position, there are none in Alabama, as far as the legal aspect is concerned.
Your future employer might expect you to:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be healthy
- Be detail-oriented
- Have good communication skills
- Have an EKG technician certification
EKG Technician Education in Alabama
Since you should have a certification to have better chances at getting hired, you need to find a training program first.
Many programs for an EKG tech diploma last around 4 months.
In Alabama, there are no rules related to the requirements to be met for such a course.
The schools, however, will usually ask for:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Over The Age Of 18
- Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
- Negative Hepatitis Test
- Negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
Some schools may accept students as young as 16, but this has to be checked with each institution.
This type of medical technician needs to know more than just performing the tasks mentioned earlier.
The following is part of the curriculum that will help you on the job:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- Pacemakers
The programs also have a clinical practice aspect included.
Top 7 Schools in Alabama
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 Hwy. 31 North Tanner, AL, 35671 |
| Calhoun Community College | 102 Wynn Dr NW Huntsville, AL, 35805 |
| Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System | 215 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36109 |
| National Training Institute for HealthCare Technicians L.L.C. | 616 Gadsden Hwy., Ste. D-5 Birmingham, AL 35235 |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | 138 AL Hwy 35, Rainsville, Alabama 35986 |
| Office of Professional and Continuing Education | 301 OD Smith Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 |
| Trenholm State Community College | 1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
EKG Technician Certification in Alabama
To earn the certificate, you’ll have to pass an exam.
You may need to sign up for the exam and this will require a few documents and fees, including the certification of completion from your school.
Official school transcripts might also be accepted instead of that certificate.
An alternative would be to have 1 year of work experience as an EKG tech in the past 3 years.
Another mandatory requirement is showing proof of being successful in completing 10 EKGs.
There are at least 3 exams that you can take to become a certified EKG tech in Alabama.
These are some of them:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
These exams offer diplomas that are nationally recognized.
These tests can be proctored at a testing center near you.
Most of the certifications need to be renewed periodically.
This will usually require continuing your education, through an approved curriculum.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Alabama
EKG technicians can work in a variety of settings.
These are the most common of them:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
Depending on where you work, your schedule might differ as well.
You can expect night and weekend shifts as well especially if you work in a hospital.
Probably the most important factors affecting how much you’ll earn, are your location and experience.
Below you can see the average salaries for EKG techs in the 10 largest urban settings of Alabama.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $37,100 |
| Montgomery | $35,200 |
| Huntsville | $37,100 |
| Mobile | $36,300 |
| Tuscaloosa | $36,800 |
| Dothan | $34,600 |
| Auburn | $35,400 |
| Decatur | $36,000 |
| Madison | $37,100 |
| Florence | $33,800 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 270 | $52,610 | $25.29 | $79,110 | $29,170 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 70 | $51,110 | $24.57 | $72,740 | $28,290 |
| Dothan, AL | 60 | $46,660 | $22.43 | $73,590 | $23,680 |
| Huntsville, AL | 220 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $80,940 | $28,940 |
| Mobile, AL | 190 | $47,120 | $22.66 | $74,020 | $24,950 |
| Montgomery, AL | 80 | $53,220 | $25.59 | $82,540 | $29,160 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 60 | $39,250 | $18.87 | $62,270 | $30,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Alabama
The ASET certification costs $150 and it includes:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
You can complete this process online, however, you might still need to figure out the hands-on training aspect needed for this job.
Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
Individuals can become Certified EKG Instructors (CEIs) through the American Society of EKG Technicians.
For this, a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field is needed and the process can be completed online as well.
Additionally, those interested need a clean criminal record as well as the right to work in the US.
Certified EKG Instructors can teach in schools or can even run a school with the proper documentation.
