Nowadays, more and more young learners rather decide to attend an online EKG program than attending regular on-campus classes.
Online EKG programs are limited to a diploma or certificate programs because fully online degree programs in this discipline are rare due to the fact that clinical training is required alongside the online coursework and it is of crucial importance for the further engagement of a graduate.
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How to Select an Online EKG School
We are aware of the fact that choosing the right EKG school can be a daunting task, so we decided to help you.
The electrocardiogram (EKG) machine tracks electrical impulses in the heart, meaning that EKG technicians have to be well equipped with knowledge on how to use this equipment and work with patients, as well as understand how to read and interpret the test results.
If you have decided to enroll in an online EKG training program, which is, by the way, extremely rare, you can seek online education options in this field can find both EKG diploma programs and medical assisting certificate programs with an EKG concentration.
However, you need to know that both these types of programs would require clinical training in addition to online courses.
Clinical Study and Experience
Enrolling in an accredited program will require that a part of your education is devoted to hands-on training.
Some colleges require students to contact a healthcare provider near their location and arrange for a period of clinical trials, while there are also colleges that use a hybrid program format, meaning that classes are taken online and clinical classes are completed on campus.
Accreditation and Certification
We highly suggest that you as a prospective EKG technician, determine to enroll in a school that is properly accredited.
This is the most important thing, being that graduation from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or a similar accrediting authority program makes you eligible to become National Certified ECG Technicians or Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician.
These are two of the most noted certifications for EKG professionals.
It is worth noting that programs that do not require a clinical period are often not accredited.
Online Electrocardiograph Technician Diploma
An electrocardiograph technician diploma program is available online by numerous institutions, but it is accompanied by clinical requirements, that a student can do in the local healthcare center.
Education methods for such programs may include text or video-recorded lectures, forum discussion, live audio or text discussions, interactive activities, e-mail assignments, and online examinations.
The program consists of the following courses:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Cardiovascular diagnostic procedures
- Electronic health records
- Medical terminology
Online Medical Assisting Certificate with an EKG concentration
Medical assisting certificate programs with an EKG concentration are available as hybrid programs.
This means that your education will involve some online classes and some in-person clinical activities.
Subjects that these programs cover go beyond EKG training to the administration of intravenous therapies or other similar subjects.
The online education is handled via education software that combines forum and e-mail communication with real-time testing and assignment capabilities.
Common courses for these programs include:
- Medical terminology
- Human growth and development
- Medical diagnostics
- Medical assistant skills
Schools with Online EKG Programs
As you could conclude, fully online EKG degree programs do not exist.
Students are limited to a diploma or certificate programs in this field if they want to get training online, like ‘medical assisting’ or ‘electrocardiograph technician.’
But, even these programs require hands-on training at the local healthcare centers.
For example, San Francisco State University has an EKG technician online certificate program, which requires at least a high school diploma for entry, can be completed in six months’ time, and all courses allow frequent communication with the instructors and fellow classmates.
Best American Healthcare University has an online EKG technician diploma course that comes with a textbook, all the fees for the certification exam are included in the course cost, and students can sit for the exam at their nearest testing center.
