Becoming an EKG Technician in Colorado

An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart and is commonly done to check for signs of heart disease. A healthcare professional who administers this test is known as an EKG technician.

Requirements for Colorado EKG Technicians

In Colorado, a high school diploma or the equivalent is required in order to apply to postsecondary training programs for EKG technicians. You can learn the skills needed for this profession by completing a certificate program or an associate’s degree. You’ll need to have compassion for patients who may be experiencing discomfort and you’ll also need good interpersonal skills. Many settings require candidates to pass a drug test and a criminal background check.

Where Can You Obtain EKG Technician Training in Colorado?

Learning to be an EKG technician in Colorado usually requires education in a classroom setting as well as hands-on clinical experience. Some of the EKG technician training programs in Colorado include:

Front Range Community College. This community college offers an electrocardiogram certificate on campuses in Fort Collins and Westminster. Students learn basic and advanced skills for administering and reading EKGs in a healthcare setting.
Red Rocks Community College. Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at the Arvada campus of this community college. The program spans 21 months and five semesters and includes clinical internships at area hospitals and clinics. Current sonographers can earn a certificate in echocardiography, which consists of 9 credits.
Pueblo Community College. This school offers an AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This two-year program consists of 68.5 credits and covers a wide range of imaging studies including cardiac and vascular. Students learn to work with highly complex medical imaging equipment, analyze images for quality and also learn techniques for patient care and education.

EKG Technician Certification in Colorado

Colorado doesn’t require EKG technicians to obtain a license or certification to work in this field. But it’s a good idea to get certified through a national organization in order to prove to potential employers that you have the expertise needed to work as an EKG technician. Certification exams are offered through Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

To become a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT), you need to pass a multiple choice exam, which is 130 questions and takes two hours. To take the test, you need to have a high school diploma or GED. You also need to be a student or graduate of a cardiovascular or allied health training program.

Salary Expectations and Career Opportunities for Colorado EKG Technicians

The amount you earn as an EKG technician in Colorado depends on where you work and how much education and experience you have. Annual pay usually ranges between $39,071 and $61,340 according to Salary.com. The average salary for EKG technicians in Colorado as of August 2020 was $46,369 per year.

Career opportunities look extremely promising for Colorado EKG technicians. According to CareerOneStop, across the United States, job openings are projected to increase by 7 percent between 2018 and 2028. In the state of Colorado, job openings for EKG techs are expected to increase by as much as 47 percent between 2016 and 2026.

A Career as an EKG Technician in Colorado

To work as an EKG technician, it helps to be a detail-oriented person with good physical stamina. In some settings, you may have to stand for long periods of time. You may have to work holidays, nights and weekends. The largest number of EKG technicians work in hospitals, but there are also opportunities in doctors’ offices and diagnostic clinics. Job opportunities are available across the whole state of Colorado, especially in large cities such as Denver, Colorado Springs and Aurora.