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 annual wage for these professionals is $63,440, while the national average stands at $66,170. This indicates that the wages in Arizona are marginally lower compared to the national average. The wage distribution in Arizona shows that 10% of workers earn $39,410 or less, while the top 10% earn $105,700 or more. Nationally, the bottom 10% of workers earn $36,620 or less, and the top 10% earn $105,140 or more.

Further breakdown by regions within Arizona shows variations in wages. For instance, in Lake Havasu City-Kingman, the median annual wage is $58,550, with the 10th percentile earning $31,870 and the 90th percentile earning $103,900. In Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, the median wage aligns with the state average at $63,440, with the 10th percentile earning $39,410 and the 90th percentile earning $104,380.

National vs. Local Salaries

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Arizona

EKG TechnicianTrends in Arizona

The webpage provides an overview of the employment trends for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in Arizona, detailing current employment numbers, projected growth, and job openings over a decade. In 2020, there were 710 individuals employed in this field in Arizona. By 2030, this number is expected to rise to 990, indicating a substantial growth rate of 39%. This significant growth suggests an increasing demand for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in the state. Furthermore, it is projected that there will be an average of 90 annual job openings from 2020 to 2030, stemming from new job creation and replacements.

On a national level, the employment trends are also positive but at a slower pace. In 2022, the total number of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians employed in the United States was 58,900. By 2032, this number is projected to increase to 61,100, reflecting a growth rate of 4%. Nationally, there are expected to be around 3,900 job openings annually during this period, combining new positions and replacement needs.

These projections highlight a robust demand for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians both in Arizona and across the United States, with Arizona experiencing a notably higher growth rate.

Key Takeaway

The data highlights that Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in Arizona earn slightly less on average compared to the national figures, with notable regional differences within the state.

Table of the Data

Source of data:

• Arizona source: Projections Central 2020-2030 long-term projections.
• United States source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022-2032 employment projections.

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