Become an EKG Technician in Mississippi

If you hate the thought of sitting at a desk all day, have always been interested in helping others and are looking for a healthcare career that doesn’t require lengthy schooling, consider becoming an EKG Technician. In this role, you’ll specialize in conducting electrocardiograms, an important diagnostic test in identifying heart problems. You’ll prepare and maintain equipment, explain procedures to patients, operate equipment and provide test results to physicians.

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Requirements for EKG Technicians in Mississippi

Postsecondary education in a specialized training program is usually required to learn the skills needed to become a Mississippi EKG technician. In order to qualify for admission to these programs, you’ll need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some training programs and most employers require a criminal background check and a drug test.

EKG Technician Training Programs in Mississippi

EKG technician training programs in Mississippi usually include training in both classroom and clinical settings. Some training programs for this field in this state include:

  • Coahoma Community College. Located in Clarksdale, MS, this community college offers a Basic EKG Cardiography Certificate, which can be completed in eight weeks. It includes 34 hours of didactic instruction and 15 hours each of laboratory and clinical training.
  • Blue Care Medical Academy. This career school in Southaven, MS, offers an Electrocardiograph Technician program, which can be completed in five weeks. Students meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm to 9:00 p.m.
  • Northwest Mississippi College. An Associate of Applied Science degree in Cardiac Technology is available at this community college in Senatobia. Students learn advanced procedures for cardiac diagnostic testing including operating sophisticated equipment used in cardiac catheterization.

Obtaining EKG Technician Certification in Mississippi

Professional certification isn’t a requirement to work as an EKG in Mississippi, but most employers prefer to hire candidates who have passed a national certification exam. The National Healthcareer Association offers a Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam, and Cardiovascular Credentialing International offers the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) exam. Both exams are written, multiple choice tests that take approximately two hours to complete.

Salary Range and Employment Projections for EKG Technicians in Mississippi

The salary of cardiac technicians can vary widely in Mississippi. According to Salary.com, the annual salary range is between $34,094 and $53,527. When you’re first getting started, you’re likely to be compensated at the lower end of the scale, but with more experience your salary can increase. The average salary of cardiac technicians in Mississippi was $40,463 per year as of August 2020.

Healthcare careers are almost always in high demand all over the country, including EKG technicians. Job opportunities for EKG technicians in Mississippi are projected to grow approximately 6 percent between 2016 and 2026, according to CareerOneStop.

Your Career as a Mississippi EKG Technician

There are a variety of settings where you may be able to find employment as an EKG technician in Mississippi. The largest number of opportunities is in hospitals, particularly the cardiology unit or the emergency department. You may find employment at diagnostic facilities or doctors’ offices, especially the offices of cardiologists. Some settings will offer predictable hours, while others may require weekend or evening availability.

A career as a Mississippi EKG technician involves working closely with patients and members of the medical staff, so it’s important to have good interpersonal skills, especially the ability to communicate clearly. You should have good physical stamina, be a detail-oriented person and have good hand-eye coordination. While the largest number of opportunities is concentrated in cities such as Jackson, opportunities for EKG technicians can be found all over the state. With an aging population, more and more people developing heart-related conditions, so there’s a growing demand for skilled EKG technicians.

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