ECG technicians help doctors in ruling out and in caring for illnesses that involves the heart. ECG technicians operate the devices and are responsible for checking the devices if it is functioning. So what are the duties and responsibilities of an ECG technician? First, they operate a device that will record the activities of the heart that can help in diagnosing a heart problem by attaching electrodes to the patient’s chest, arms and legs and these electrodes are connected to the ECG machine. They also schedule appointments and review the patient’s files. They assess the patients on certain conditions also considering the physical and psychological aspects. It is also a part of their responsibility to check the devices for any malfunctions and refills the paper and ink. They also include in the information sheet that traces that points to the places of the electrodes. After doing the ECG test and the results have already been printed out, the ECG technician will then forward this printout to the physician for further evaluation. As a part of the health care team, the ECG technicians collaborate with the other members of the health care team. They must be able to work with them and must have good communication skills. There are some ECG technicians that go into specializations like stress testing, cardiac catheterizations and Holter monitoring.
What are the requirements needed to be a successful ECG Technician? The first step in being a successful ECG technician is to have a good ECG technician education. Same goes to X-ray technician must take up x-ray technician education. Education has always been the first step that every person must take to be successful. Most ECG technicians finished a two or four year program that includes lectures and practical trainings from an accredited ECG technician school. It is always important to choose a school that is accredited since they offer a good quality of education that is enough to equip its students for their chosen careers. For those who are taking a two year program, the first year is usually focused on the main subjects while the third year is more on specializations like invasive or non-invasive cardiovascular technology. Finishing these programs will make an individual a qualified ECG technician. Today, there are ECG schools that offer a one-year certification program but are more focused on on-job trainings for 16 weeks on ECG, stress test and Holter monitoring. Licensure and certification may not be needed but having these will give a person an edge especially in job opportunities.
ECG Technicians salary can be in an average of $3,000 a year. Those who took specializations like stress test and etc are paid more because they have added knowledge and skills. ECG technician salary also having more years of experience is paid $15 to $20 an hour and new ECG technicians will earn $10 an hour. Usually, the salary depends on the health institution where one is working. The location of the work area is also another factor since institutions like hospitals or clinics located in metropolitan or high-end cities will definitely pay their workers more because of the way of living. Being an ECG technician is really expected to grow today in the coming years.
