Do you want to work in the healthcare industry, but you don’t really want to be a doctor?
Choosing an occupation as an EKG tech in Tennessee your wish can come true!
Additionally, your education or training may not even be relevant, so stick around to find out more!
Page Navigation
EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Tennessee
The position of an EKG tech is an entry-level one.
What’s more, other medical personnel usually get trained to perform EKGs, but having dedicated individuals is not unheard of.
This is what you’re expected to do as an EKG technician:
- 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 Tennessee
In Tennessee, you can easily work as an EKG tech even without a certification.
However, it is very common for employers to set up prerequisites when it comes to the hiring process.
It’s common to be asked for the following when seeking employment:
- 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 Tennessee
Deciding to get a diploma means you need to find a good training program.
You can choose between an apprenticeship with a duration of at least a year, and a training course of about 4 months.
One of the best things about training as a future EKG tech is that you also don’t have to meet any requirements.
When enrolling, it’s common for schools to ask for:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Over The Age Of 18
- Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
- A negative Hepatitis Test
- A negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
Depending on the school, students who are younger than the mentioned age could enroll with parental approval.
If you want to see the schools in Tennessee that offer EKG technician training, the table below has them!
Top 16 Schools in Tennessee
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Academy of Allied Health Careers | 5600 Brainerd Rd Ste. C-3, Chattanooga, TN 37411 |
| Columbia State Community College | 795 Main St, Clifton, TN 38425 |
| Compassionate Care Technical Center | 2424 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919 |
| Fortis Institute | 1025 TN-111, Cookeville, TN 38501 |
| Health Tech Institute | 3874 Viscount Ave Suite 1, Memphis, TN 38118 |
| JSCC - Savannah-Hardin County Center | 840 Pickwick Rd, Savannah, TN 38372 |
| NGH School of Health Sciences | 1818 Albion St, Nashville, TN 37208 |
| Northwest Phlebotomy School | 1331 Union Ave Suite 1000, Memphis, TN 38104 |
| Northwest Phlebotomy School | 1350 Rosa L Parks Blvd #454, Nashville, TN 37208 |
| Roane State Community College | 276 Patton Ln, Harriman, TN 37748 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology | 1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology | 813 W Main St, Hohenwald, TN 38462 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology | 1745 Harriman Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748 |
| The Healthcare Institute Inc | 7253 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38125 |
| University of Tennessee | 554 University St, Martin, TN 38237 |
| We R CPR | 5959 Shallowford Rd #227, Chattanooga, TN 37421 |
You could be studying subjects such as these:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- Pacemakers
Practice hours should also be part f the curriculum, regardless of the school you choose.
EKG Technician Certification in Tennessee
To get the certificate at the end of your training, you must pass an exam.
Most of the tests are recognized nationally and they include:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
Candidates must sign up and show proof they completed 10 EKGs successfully.
They’ll also need a series of papers including official school transcripts and an application form.
There will be at least 2 fees to pay as well:
- The sign-up fee
- The exam fee
Once you’re certified, you’ll need to make sure you keep it up-to-date.
The renewal process may involve completing some additional classes of continuing education.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Tennessee
The following institutions will be more likely to hire you now that you have a certificate:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
It’s good to know ahead of time that the work hours will differ among these facilities.
Your salary will be affected by your schedule as well as by your experience, or the city you work in.
For a better idea of what the salaries look like in Tennessee’s largest cities, look at the table below.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Tennessee
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $36,500 |
| Memphis | $36,400 |
| Knoxville | $36,000 |
| Chattanooga | $35,400 |
| Clarksville | $35,700 |
| Murfreesboro | $36,200 |
| Franklin | $36,400 |
| Jackson | $36,100 |
| Johnson City | $34,200 |
| Hendersonville | $36,400 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 130 | $98,580 | $47.39 | $157,460 | $37,160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 50 | $53,890 | $25.91 | $66,320 | $29,060 |
| Knoxville, TN | 200 | $64,000 | $30.77 | $83,000 | $37,090 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 230 | $57,650 | $27.72 | $81,500 | $36,440 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 380 | $70,800 | $34.04 | $100,980 | $37,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Tennessee
Many folks choose the ASET (American Society of EKG Technicians) exam because they have access to the following, for just $150:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
All these bonuses are available online.
Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
After 5 years of working as an EKG technician, you have the possibility of becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI).
For this, you must have passed the ASET exam.
You’ll need to submit your fingerprints as well, as you need to pass a criminal background check.
Certified EKG Instructors have the right to teach EKG in a training school or to open a training center.
