ECG Technician

This is an 56-hour Cardiovascular Technology Course (ECG Technician) that prepares students for an entry-level position as an ECG Technician or for more advanced medical training programs (paramedic, nursing program, medical school, etc.). This program can prepare students to work in a hospital or physician’s office or in an outpatient clinic or lab, residential facility or home care setting. Students will learn the fundamentals of the heart and how it functions along with how to perform and interpret cardiac tests on patients. Students will learn how to effectively communicate with other medical personal such as physicians and nurses and assure that patient tests are performed appropriately. This program will prepare students in the overall art of rhythm interpretation and cardiac function.

1. Prepare students to work in an entry-level position in a variety of healthcare settings including cardiac care and telemetry.
2. Provide didactic and clinical experience in order for students to competently and reliably offer appropriate and safe care to patients.
3. Prepare students to successfully pass the national ECG exam.

Program Length: 56 clock hours.

Delivery Method: Classroom and lab (supplementary online resources available)

Textbook: ECG's Made Easy, Barbars Aehert, RN, BSPA. MOsby Jems Copyright 2011

Award: Certificate

Pre-requisites:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must have obtained a high school diploma or GED
• Must be proficient in English (written and oral)
• Must pass a pre-admission assessment.
• As of August 1, 2011 all ECG Technician students must have a current AHA approved CPR card.

ECG 101: Introduction to ECG: This is a ECG introductory course designed to prepare students for an entry-level position as an ECG Technician or to prepare students for more advanced medical training programs (paramedic school, program, LPN, etc.). Students will learn anatomy and physiology of the heart, basic electrophysiology and sinus and atrial rhythms of the heart. The course includes both classroom and lab instruction and skill practice.

ECG 102: Rhythms and Leads: This course builds on the knowledge of the introductory course. In this course students learn advanced rhythms of the heart and how to interpret them. Students learn how to perform a 12 lead ECG correctly as well as 3 and 5 lead ECG’s and learn the basic duties of an ECG technician including how to perform and read the heart’s electrical impulses, how to fasten electrodes, how to clean equipment, and how to maintain and process data reports. Students also receive advanced training in order to perform Holter monitor and stress testing. The course includes classroom instruction and skills practice in the lab.

Students who successfully complete the ECG Technician Program are awarded a Completion Certificate and qualify to sit for a credentialing exam offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International to earn the designation: Certified Cardiographic Technician. (CCT). For more information on the Cardiovasacular Credentialing International organization and for a copy of the exam matrix click here.