Cardiovascular technicians, also known as cardiographic and electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians, are medical professionals who use machines to assess the function of the heart. Find out about certificate programs in this field, see what courses are required, and learn how you can earn professional certification.
What Cardiovascular Technician Certification Training Programs Are Available?
Cardiovascular technicians are also known as cardiographic and electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians. EKG technician training programs prepare you to undertake certification exams to earn one of these titles; they take less than a year, or about 120 hours, to complete. You can find these certificate-conferring programs at medical schools, technical colleges and community colleges.
Distance-education programs are not available. This is likely because your program uses a hands-on approach to teach machine operation, patient care, patient testing preparation and results analysis.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Length</b></td><td>Less than one year</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Course Topics</b></td><td>Medical terminology, EKG strip placement, heart rate trends, file management</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td>Exam given through Cardiovascular Credentialing International</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $59,100 (<i>for all cardiovascular technicians </i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 5% growth (<i>for all cardiovascular technicians </i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpect">What Courses Can I Expect?</h3><p>These programs teach you basic, intermediate and advanced techniques for EKG. Classes cover EKG strip placement, medical terminology, file management, blood circulation and heart rate trends. Other topics include technician roles and responsibilities, anatomy and physiology, advanced first aid, echocardiography and cardiac rhythms.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIBecomeCertified">How Do I Become Certified?</h3><p>Cardiovascular Credentialing International offers the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) designation to those who qualify for and pass a written exam. The most common way to qualify is participating in a training program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals. The second way is being currently employed in the field. The third way is graduating from a science or physical health program. The last way is completing two years of volunteer service in the field.
</p><p>To become a CCT, you must pass a written exam addressing the functions and components of the heart. Questions explore cardiac medications, EKG techniques, anomaly recognition, electrophysiology, ambulatory monitoring and stress testing. All candidates must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
</p><p>You need to renew CCT certification every three years. To do so, you need to complete continuing education courses, sign a code of ethics policy and pay renewal fees.</p>
