How to Become an EKG Technician in Oklahoma
As our population ages, the healthcare industry is growing. That means the number of healthcare jobs—everything from doctors and nurses to allied healthcare roles—is increasing. If you’re looking for a new career, one role to consider is electrocardiograph (EKG) technician. EKG techs use EKG machines to measure the electrical signals given off by the heart, interpreting them to diagnose a number of heart conditions.
Requirements for Becoming an EKG Technician in Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma has special rules for those who assist doctors and nurses in acute or hospital settings. These workers are called advanced unlicensed assistants (AUAs), and they must complete a 200-hour training program and pass a certification exam. They are governed by the State Nursing Board.
Electrocardiography is one of the skills an advanced unlicensed assistant is able to perform, along with a broad variety of other skilled healthcare tasks. However, electrocardiography is also one of the skills permitted to be performed by a non-AUA specialist. In Oklahoma, you will find some job openings calling for an AUA with EKG skills and others just calling for an EKG technician.
When it comes to non-AUA EKG technicians, employers prefer to hire applicants who have significant experience in the field or who have been certified by one of several national, private professional organizations. These include the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, the National Center for Competency Testing and the National Healthcareer Association. To certify, you must show completion of an accredited training program or a year’s appropriately supervised work experience, then pass an exam.
Access to training programs is available to those with a high school or general equivalency diploma. While there is a fee for the training, financial aid and payment plans are often available.
Training Programs for EKG Technicians in Oklahoma
For AUA training, the Nursing Board maintains a list of approved programs. There are also a number of EKG programs aimed at people who want a national EKG certification. Here are a few examples:
- Metro Tech in Oklahoma City offers a course covering all aspects of EKG technology, which prepares students to take a national certifying exam.
- MedNoc medical training college in Oklahoma City offers a 120-hour EKG program that takes place over a month, with day, evening and weekend classes. It includes 56 clinical practice hours and prepares students for a national certifying exam.
Certification for EKG Technicians in Oklahoma
If you’re taking the Advanced Unlicensed Assistant route, you’ll be certified by the State Nursing Board after taking its own exam, and you’ll need to renew your state certification every two years. If you’re certifying nationally as an EKG technician, there is no state oversight, but it is advantageous to undertake continuing education to keep up to speed with new developments in the field. National certification carries a small fee, but this is sometimes covered by your training course.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
Nationally, the average annual salary for this occupation is $66,170, with the lowest 10% earning $36,620 or less and the highest 10% earning $105,140 or more. In Oklahoma, the average annual salary is $60,260, with the lowest 10% earning $29,600 or less and the highest 10% earning $97,740 or more. Regional data within Oklahoma show variations in wages across different metropolitan areas.
National vs. Local Salaries
| Location | Average Salary | 10% Earn Less Than | 10% Earn More Than |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $66,170 | $36,620 | $105,140 |
| Oklahoma | $60,260 | $29,600 | $97,740 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region
| Region | 10% Earn Less Than | 25% Earn Less Than | Median Salary | 75% Earn More Than | 10% Earn More Than |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,620 | $44,160 | $66,170 | $85,930 | $105,140 |
| Oklahoma | $29,600 | $37,800 | $60,260 | $79,350 | $97,740 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $29,380 | $29,380 | $37,830 | $61,570 | $84,930 |
| Lawton, OK | $37,370 | $38,220 | $61,550 | $80,490 | $97,730 |
| Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $28,440 | $29,480 | $37,440 | $61,830 | $99,370 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $29,480 | $38,190 | $61,520 | $79,370 | $97,740 |
| Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $28,930 | $29,700 | $37,830 | $60,260 | $79,350 |
| Tulsa, OK | $28,890 | $37,550 | $60,290 | $79,510 | $97,750 |
| Western Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $36,080 | $37,940 | $60,260 | $79,370 | $97,750 |
EKG TechnicianTrends in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, there were 870 employees in 2020, projected to grow to 970 by 2030, representing a 12% increase, with 80 annual job openings. Nationally, there were 58,900 employees in 2022, projected to grow to 61,100 by 2032, a 4% increase, with 3,900 annual job openings.
Table of the Data
| Location | Year | Employment | Projected Employment | Growth | Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 2020 | 870 | 970 | 12% | 80 |
| United States | 2022 | 58,900 | 61,100 | 4% | 3,900 |
Source of data:
- Oklahoma source: Projections Central 2020-2030 long-term projections.
- United States source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022-2032 employment projections.
Working as an EKG Technician in Oklahoma
As the population of the U.S. ages, skilled healthcare workers are needed in most parts of the country. In Oklahoma, hospitals, doctor’s offices and diagnostic laboratories often hire EKG technicians. You can browse available job listings at major hiring websites like Monster, Indeed and ZipRecruiter.