Whichever profession related to the medicine you decide to entre, getting nationally certified in a healthcare profession is nowadays considered a must.
Certification would actually show that an individual is competent to perform specific medical tasks and is able to provide safe and effective care to those who are in need of professional medical evaluation and treatment, thus making you an ideal candidate for employment.
If you get healthcare certification, you may improve earnings, result in expanded benefits, and lead to additional job opportunities.
The Benefits of Telemetry Certification
Now, let’s first discuss the term telemetry and what this profession involves.
Telemetry is a noninvasive medical service enabling the monitoring of important health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm from a remote location.
This service is used in medical institutions where patients are evaluated and treated for complex heart conditions.
Some facilities are equipped with virtual intensive care units (ICUs) that are equipped with technological resources that allow them to monitor patients anywhere around the World.
In case a patient experiences an abnormal or concerning cardiac event, the staff at the virtual ICU is able to alert staff who are employed in the facility where the patient is being managed.
This is a great responsibility so monitoring patients is shared by many different providers including EKG technicians, cardiac nurses, and physicians.
Technicians are almost always expected to obtain telemetry certification prior to assisting with the monitoring process and these requirements are continuing to be accepted worldwide.
By gaining this certification, an individual will demonstrate that he/she has the basic knowledge and skills needed in order to provide high-quality care.
Furthermore, once you gain credentials, you will get greater levels of responsibility, higher pay, better benefits, and more career advancement opportunities.
Even though a technician is not required to become certified, it is highly recommended and many people decide to voluntarily pursue the credential in order to take advantage of the many benefits that it brings.
Telemetry Certification Options
If you want to get involved in a process of becoming certified as an EKG technician, it is typically required that you have a basic appreciation for the administration of telemetry in a healthcare setting.
Even though whether you will need to possess telemetry certification depends on the employer’s expectations and the responsibilities that an individual has been assigned in the facility where they work, it is our suggestion to obtain it and become a more attractive and preferred candidate when applying for a job.
Individuals who plan to work as an unlicensed technician in a cardiovascular department are encouraged to consider completing one or more of the following exams:
1.EKG Technician Certification (CET), which is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The exam is done so as to test an individual’s ability to operate equipment that is designed to record the activity of the heart.
You will need to prove that you possess competencies that are covered on the exam.
Those include topics like administering electrocardiograms and stress tests, preparing patients for Holter monitoring, ambulatory monitoring, evaluating and editing test results prior to delivering them to advanced medical personnel, scheduling appointments, and transcription.
As you could notice, this exam covers a broad range of important competencies for EKG technicians, but it also includes questions on telemetry that can affect the overall outcome of the exam results.
- Exam Fee: $105
- Exam Preparation
- Detailed Test Plan
- Exam Registration
2. The Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) – The examination is proctored by an organization known as Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
Not everyone is eligible to take this test, as in order to qualify, you must have a high school diploma or GED and meet 1 of 3 criteria.
The questions that you will need to provide answers to will cover topics like cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, cardiac electrophysiology, and stress testing.
CCI does not administer a telemetry certification exam but does offer other specialty exams.
- Exam Fee: $160
- Sample Questions
- Review Programs
- Exam Registration
3. Progressive Care Nurse Certification (PCCN) –a specialty exam offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Progressive care Nurses work with acutely ill patients in settings that include intermediate care units, direct observation units, step-down, telemetry, transitional care, and emergency departments.
Only eligible candidates can take this exam.
Applicants must have nurse credentials and; therefore, it is not one that unlicensed personnel would take unless they plan on pursuing their nursing degree.
The PCCN is considered an ideal option for those who think about becoming a nurse and who think that telemetry certification would be a valuable credential to acquire.
There are 125 questions on the examination that must be completed in a 2.5-hour time frame.
- Exam Fee: AACN Members ($175) / Nonmembers ($275)
- Exam Handbook
- Exam Preparation
- Exam Registration
4. Adult Tele-ICU Acute / Critical Care Nurse Certification (CCRN-E) – a specialty exam offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
This telemetry certification option and it is specially designed and suitable for individuals who have nursing credentials and who plan to sub-specialize in cardiac care.
Passing this exam is a great option for nurses who work primarily in a tele-ICU observing patients from a remote location.
A tele-ICU is designed to provide remote intensive care services and it is considered beneficial for situations where distance barriers exist such as in rural communities.
Individuals who work in these units are able to provide remote consultation and coaching.
- Exam Fee: AACN Members ($225) / Nonmembers ($330)
- Exam Handbook
- Exam Preparation
- Exam Registration
