Heart disease has become all too prevalent in the United States, creating a greater need for qualified individuals to provide basic cardiac care services that do not require advanced medical education and training. Many health care institutions turn to unlicensed medical professionals to help manage large numbers of patients and to allow nurses and doctors to focus on tasks that require specialized knowledge and skills. Technicians are often hired to fill these types of positions and represent a critical component of the care delivery process.
An EKG technician is someone who has responsibilities such as patient education, vital sign collection, procedure preparation, cardiac monitoring, EKG administration, telemetry, quality control, equipment operation, and support. in invasive procedures. Some healthcare facilities also include administrative responsibilities such as training new technicians, public education, and scheduling team meetings in the technician’s job description. People are encouraged to research the tasks they are expected to perform before signing an employment contract. This approach can allow people to avoid opportunities that include responsibilities that the technician is not interested in performing.
The path to becoming an EKG technician is not as well defined as that of other medical professions. In general, there are very few state and federal regulations that directly affect the education, training, and certification requirements of EKG technicians. The fact that few regulations exist means that employers have a lot of freedom to set their own expectations for new employees. Those who are interested in a career as a technician must first assess whether or not their personality is suitable for handling patients on a day-to-day basis. People who are genuinely interested in improving the quality of life for people with heart disease and who can handle difficult patients without being overwhelmed tend to last longer in the industry. If you possess these character traits, then your next step should be to contact potential employers to find out what their employment standards include.
As with most jobs, credentials and experience weigh heavily in an employer’s decision on whom to hire. In most cases, EKG technicians have completed at least a two to four-year college degree in a health-related profession and have at least a few years of experience providing direct patient care. Facility managers often prefer to hire people who have formal education and experience because they know these people understand what patient care entails and are more likely to possess the knowledge and skills they will need to work in a variety of settings. different medical care. While prior education and experience are not always required, acquiring a certain amount of both will improve a person’s chances of getting a job.
One of the most common routes to the EKG technician profession is through previous education and experience as a radiology technician or physician assistant. There are many university programs that are designed to prepare people for a career in any of these fields. Additionally, these opportunities provide extensive patient care experience and require professional credentials to be obtained. The radiology department works closely with the cardiovascular department and often acts as a career pathway for those wishing to transition into cardiac care. In general, those transitioning from radiology to cardiology will need to complete a four to six week ECG technician training program, followed by a certification exam specific to the cardiovascular industry.
People who find patient care careers attractive can improve their chances of finding employment by taking courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics while in high school and college. These courses are important to all medical professions and provide the foundation on which most technical courses are built. Additionally, aspiring technicians can begin to gain industry experience through job shadowing, volunteering, and part-time employment opportunities that exist at local clinics and hospitals. These experiences can help guide people towards a career that suits their personality and can even lead to job offers.