Becoming an EKG Technician in Arizona
In hospitals and cardiac care facilities, there is a daily need for accurate data on patients affected by heart problems. This data is provided by readouts from electrocardiogram, or EKG, machines. Doctors interpret EKG readouts, but they do not operate electrocardiogram machines. That job typically falls to assistants called EKG technicians.
EKG technician jobs in Arizona provide a respectable level of income. If your work performance is high, you can also anticipate the opportunity to advance or move on to new places of employment. Like all states, Arizona has rules that govern EKG techs and other healthcare providers. Knowledge of these rules and other important facts will make it easier for you to decide if this career is for you.
Regulations for Arizona EKG Technicians
State licensing is not required for anyone working as an EKG technician in Arizona. Instead, the state counts these technicians among the ranks of unlicensed assistants. These assistants are regulated under guidelines established by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The rules of this organization put workers like EKG techs under the supervision of registered nurses.
To qualify to work under a nurse’s supervision, you must demonstrate your competence in some way. Options for doing this include:
- Going through a training program accepted the state
- Passing a certification exam accepted by the state
- Receiving medical training while enlisted in the military
These options provide you with the minimum qualifications needed to work. However, on their own they might not be enough to catch the eye of potential employers. That’s true because some employers will expect you to go above and beyond the basic requirements. For example, you may need to obtain a two-year allied health degree or a similar credential.
To get trained as an EKG tech in Arizona, you can choose an in-person or online program. Examples of the options at your disposal include:
But you should be aware that each Arizona hospital and cardiac care facility is different. While one facility may expect you to hold some kind of degree, another may not. The quickest path to finding out the relevant details is to contact each organization you may want to work for in the future.
Options for EKG Technician Training
To get trained as an EKG tech in Arizona, you can choose an in-person or online program. Examples of the options at your disposal include:
- Accord Healthcare Institute – This is a Phoenix-based organization. Topics covered in its EKG tech program include operation of electrocardiogram machines and the basics of human heart function. It takes about five weeks to complete the 80 total hours of training.
- Arizona Medical Training Institute – This institution uses the term “cardiographic technician” instead of EKG technician. Its training program combines 16 hours of online work with an additional 48 hours of in-person learning. If you pass all of your course exams, you can seek official certification from Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
- ACLS Training Center – This online organization uses the term “monitor technician” instead of EKG tech. It separates training into two courses, one on the use of a standard EKG machine and the second on heartbeat irregularities.
How Much Can You Make as an Arizona EKG Technician?
In Arizona, the average yearly salary for an EKG tech is just over $38,000. This is a bit higher than the salary average in many other states across the country. Still, when you’re just beginning your career, it makes sense to expect earnings of $30,000 or less. With experience under your belt, your income may eventually rise to the high $40,000s, or even higher.
Employment Outlook for America’s EKG Techs
In the U.S., EKG techs and similar healthcare assistants belong to an unusually strong sector of the job market. Over the 10-year span between 2019 and 2029, this sector will grow at an estimated rate of 12 percent. You won’t find many employment categories that can compete with this level of job expansion.