EKG Tech Training, Certification and Salary in Arizona

If you live in Arizona and you need a job where you don’t need a degree, perhaps the position of an EKG tech could be of interest.

This is a job in the medical field where the demand for personnel is high.

Through this article you can learn what you must do to become an EKG technician in Arizona, so read on!

EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Arizona

So, what is an EKG technician expected to do while at work?

One can’t know this unless they also learn the role of this medical personnel.

The EKG tech helps physicians to discover and treat whatever affects the heart or the blood vessels of their patients.

This is done through the EKG investigation.

EKG techs are in charge of the following tasks:

• Evaluating patients
• Explaining procedures
• Verifying patients identity
• Performing EKG
• Point of care testing
• Preparing test results for the doctor
• Maintaining the area and equipment
• Updating patient records

EKG Tech Job Requirements in Arizona

Individuals from Arizona who want to become EKG techs don’t need to meet any regulations, as there are none.

This is because it’s mostly nurses who perform this type of investigation, and they do have to follow strict rules.

As you can guess, it’s easy to get hired as an EKG tech if you want a career in the healthcare industry.

It’s employers who usually set the bar rather high by asking for:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be healthy
• Be detail-oriented
• Have good communication skills
• Have an EKG technician certification
• Be legally allowed to work in the US
• A clean criminal record

EKG Technician Education in Arizona

So, how do you get an EKG tech certificate in Arizona, if this field has no specific guidelines?

The answer is really easy, as all you have to do is to find a training program.

Luckily, these programs can be found online too, and they last up to 4 months.

There are also no regulations regarding the enrollment process in such a course.

Schools that offering such programs could ask for:

• High school diploma or GED
• Over the age of 18
• A clean background check (no felonies)
• Negative hepatitis test
• Negative TB test
• Immunization records

It’s best to check each school when it comes to these enrollment requirements.

You could notice that some schools accept younger students, but not younger than 16.

Training will help when trying to complete your tasks.

If you get accepted into a program, expect to study:

• Heart anatomy
• Medical disease processes
• Medical terminology
• Electrocardiography
• Echocardiography
• Ethics
• Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
• Pacemakers

What’s good about these training programs is that you can learn the theory online.

However, there’s a practice aspect that needs to be completed as well.

Keep in mind that you’ll need specific equipment to be able to attend online classes.

Here are the schools in Arizona that offer EKG tech training programs.

Some individuals choose to train on the job instead of enrolling in a school, but this may not always be an option.

EKG Technician Certification in Arizona

Once you complete the training program you’ll qualify to sit through the certification exam.

There are several such tests, and here are some of them:

• ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
• NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
• ASET

The majority of the exams have national recognition and are proctored at most testing centers.

Signing up is usually required, and showing some papers is mandatory for this process.

These are the most requested papers:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Official school transcripts of certificate of completion
• Payment of some fees
• Proof of identity
• Completing 10 EKGs

Those who chose on-the-job training must accumulate 1 year of experience before registering for the certification exam.

This replaces the documents issued by the school, though they’ll need to provide the other documentation.

Certificates have to be periodically renewed.

You’ll usually have to present:

• A renewal application form
• A renewal fee
• Proof you continued your education

EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Arizona

Now you may want to know more about your work-life as an EKG technician.

First of all, you may want to research the places where you could work.

These are the main employers for EKG techs:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Physician’s offices
• Various other healthcare facilities

And now you probably wonder how much you’ll earn.

Your experience in this field and certification will be the main aspects influencing how much you make.

If you’ll work for a place that is open 24/7, you may have to work at night and during weekends or holidays.

While you may have less free time and be more tired, you will earn more.

In any case, there’s nothing more reassuring than seeing actual figures like the median salaries across the state seen in the table below.

Regional Salary in Arizona

Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Arizona

For $150, the American Society of EKG Technicians offers the following for those who want its certification:

• Full study guide
• Unlimited practice exams,
• 3 final certification exam attempts
• A professional resume revision

The certification process offered by ASET can be completed online.

Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)

Those who want to teach the EKG process, or open a school, can become Certified EKG Instructors (CEIs).

This is mostly possible for those who earned the ASET diploma.

For the CEI credential you need:

• At least 5 years of work experience as an EKG tech
• The right to work in the USA
• A clean criminal record