Electrocardiography (EKG) Certificate

Program Statement

The program goal is to prepare students to become professional and competent Electrocardiography (EKG) Technicians.

Program Information

There are two educational pathways to sit for the national Electrocardiography (EKG) certification exam and become an EKG Technician:

1. As described in the 'Program Requirements' below, completing 17 credits; or
2. Completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate at Bristol Community College and completion of HLT 118: Fundamentals of Electrocardiography.

NOTE: Students must receive a minimum of "C-" in HLT 118: Fundamentals of Electrocardiography to satisfy EKG Certificate requirements.

• EKG Technicians operate noninvasive equipment which print graphic tracings of electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. The technician is responsible for maintaining the equipment and supplies, preparing the patient for the test, and monitoring the patient during the procedure. The graphic tracing aids in the diagnosis of heart disease, monitors the effect of drug therapy, and analyzes changes in the condition of the patient's heart over a period of time.
• In addition to performing routine diagnostic electrocardiograms, EKG technicians may specialize in continuous ambulatory (Holter) monitoring or cardiac stress testing. Holter monitoring records a patient's cardiac rhythm for a 24- to 48-hour period while patients pursue their normal routines. Cardiac stress testing monitors and records a patient's cardiac rhythm during a period of prescribed exercise.
• Additional duties may include scheduling of appointments, data entry into computerized machines, typing of physicians' interpretations, and maintaining patient files.

After Bristol

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for a national EKG certification exam.