If you want to get a job in the healthcare field in Texas, you could easily become an EKG tech.
We have brought you some info regarding the requirements for this job, so read on to learn more.
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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Texas
In Texas, your main job duty will be assisting the doctor in diagnosing illnesses related to the heart.
Your daily job duties will vary according to the company, but generally include:
- 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 Texas
In Texas, the law does not force you to get a certification to work as an EKG tech.
Still, you should keep in mind that many companies may not hire you unless you have a certification.
A certification will also increase your salary and your work opportunities.
First of all, you will need to submit some documents, which include:
- 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 Texas
Before you can get the EKG certification, you have to follow some guidelines.
One of these is attending a training program to get the required skills for the job.
These programs last for 4 months and end in a diploma.
The most important aspect is joining a suitable training program in your region.
Keep in mind that the enrollment criteria are different depending on the school you want to attend.
Some of these requirements include:
- 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 might accept students that are 16 years old, however, this has to be checked with the school.
You will get to study theory hours as well as attend clinical practice.
Some of the classes you will join are:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall
- Pacemakers
The schools offering EKG training programs in Texas include:
Top 23 Schools in Texas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cedar Valley College | 3030 N Dallas Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134 |
| Concorde Career College | 3015 West Interstate 20 Grand Prairie, TX 75052 |
| Del Mar College | 3209 S. Staples St. Corpus Christi, TX 78411 |
| Del Mar College | 101 Baldwin Blvd. Corpus Christi, TX 78404 |
| Elite Nurse Aide Training | 3300 East Central Texas Expressway Ste 300 Killeen, TX 76543 |
| FasTrac Job Training Center | 4116 Ave N 1/2, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Grayson College | 6101 Grayson Drive Denison, TX 75020 |
| Houston Community College | Suite 205 6815 E. Rustic St., Houston, TX 77087 |
| Lee College | 200 Lee Dr, Baytown, TX 77520 |
| Lone Star Phlebotomy | 228 Northeast Wilshire Boulevard h Burleson, TX 76028 |
| J. Frank Dobie High School | 10220 Blackhawk Blvd, Houston, TX 77089 |
| North Garland High School | 2109 West Buckingham Road Garland, TX 75042 |
| North Texas Job Corps | 1701 N Church St, McKinney, TX 75069 |
| South Texas High School for Health Professions | 700 Med High Drive Mercedes, TX 78570 |
| South Texas Training Center | 1901 W. Hwy. 77 Sunshine Strip, 1901 U.S. 77 Business San Benito, TX 78586 |
| Southwest University | 1414 Geronimo Drive El Paso, TX 79925 |
| Tarrant County College | 1500 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
| Temple College | 2600 South 1st Street Temple, TX 76504 |
| Texas Career Institute | 3302 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 701 South Nedderman Drive Arlington, TX 76019 |
| Tomball Regional Medical Center | 605 Holderrieth Boulevard Tomball, TX 77375 |
| Tyler Junior College | 1530 South Southwest Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701 |
| Western Technical College | 9624 Plaza Circle El Paso, TX 79927 |
EKG Technician Certification in Texas
Once you complete the program, you should sit for the certification exam.
In Texas, you can choose one of the 3 available exams.
The available certification exams for EKG techs are:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
To be eligible, you can submit your school diploma but also official transcripts from your school.
If you didn’t attend a program, you need a minimum of one year of experience over the last 3 years.
After an amount of time passes, you need to get the license renewed.
That also means attending some extra hours of class.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Texas
In Texas, you can work in numerous healthcare facilities.
You can find some examples below:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
EKG techs might have intense work schedules in the hospital.
However, your workload might be lighter if you work in a small clinic.
You may have to work on weekends and take night shifts.
Your yearly salary as an EKG tech depends on your experience, education, and area where you live.
You will have increased job opportunities if you have some experience already reside in a big city like Dallas or Austin.
Look below for the EKG tech salaries in the 10 biggest cities of Texas.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Texas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $40,300 |
| San Antonio | $38,200 |
| Dallas | $39,000 |
| Austin | $38,600 |
| Fort Worth | $38,300 |
| El Paso | $34,400 |
| Arlington | $38,200 |
| Corpus Christi | $36,900 |
| Plano | $38,800 |
| Laredo | $35,000 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | ** | $46,260 | $22.24 | $74,110 | $30,930 |
| Amarillo, TX | 50 | $56,660 | $27.24 | $82,760 | $37,420 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 400 | $59,690 | $28.7 | $100,990 | $37,440 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 60 | $53,060 | $25.51 | $78,230 | $28,360 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 90 | $54,370 | $26.14 | $82,600 | $31,950 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,290 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $100,660 | $37,490 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 1,140 | $57,530 | $27.66 | $97,070 | $36,280 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 120 | $51,330 | $24.68 | $76,440 | $28,880 |
| Longview, TX | 40 | $52,670 | $25.32 | $95,420 | $28,390 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 100 | $41,270 | $19.84 | $83,700 | $27,740 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 390 | $55,100 | $26.49 | $95,120 | $33,190 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | ** | $45,900 | $22.07 | $81,890 | $30,940 |
| Waco, TX | 60 | $53,030 | $25.5 | $82,500 | $34,190 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Texas
Remember you can also get the ASET certification, which costs $150.
This price includes:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
You can join the lab practice in person, and join the theory part online.
Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
Another credential is the Certified EKG Instructor (CEIs) through the American Society of EKG Technicians.
To get this, you need at least 5 years of experience in the industry.
If you are looking to obtain a CEI certification, a background check is also required.
