Job description of an Electrocardiograph Technician - OgaJob - Fastest Growing Job Board Site in Nigeria

If you thought about pursuing a career in healthcare but don’t know where to start, it might be worthwhile to look into becoming an electrocardiograph technician, or ECG technician.

As an ECG technician, you will be able to positively impact patient care while learning a specific area of practice that is always in demand.

What are the responsibilities performed by an ECG technician? What are the skills expected from someone in this role?

In this post, I will cover all those questions along with the job description, required skills, available career options, and how to become an ECG technician.

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What Does An Electrocardiograph (ECG) Technician Do?

Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) technicians operate specially designed medical instruments to perform diagnostic tests called electrocardiograms.

This test is non-invasive and examines the heart’s electrical activity. ECG tests enable clinicians to collect critical information needed to distinguish and follow the patient’s condition for irregular heartbeats, myocardial infarction, and other heart diseases.

Key Responsibilities of an Electrocardiograph Technician

Technicians are responsible for operating ECG machines, and other responsibilities include:

1. Operating ECG Machines

ECG technicians prepare and operate electrocardiograph machines which record various activities of the heart in the form of a wave pattern. This stuff is critical because it is quite easy to mess up the setup and that means you’ll get wrong test results.

2. Preparing Patients for Procedures

Prior to completing an ECG, a technician must prepare the patient which includes explaining the processes to ensure satisfaction, performing comfort checks, and placing the electrodes on the body. A thorough explanation is crucial to diminish anxiety, particularly in patients who have not been through the process before.

3. Performing Diagnostic Tests

The ECG technician implements the test after the patient is prepared and logs the information obtained from the test. They check to see that the equipment is functioning properly and that the information gathered is correct.

4. Analyzing Test Results (Preliminary Analysis)

Although ECG technicians do not have a medical license, they assist in the diagnostic process by assisting in detecting anomalies in readings prior to passing them onto the physician for additional evaluation.

5. Maintenance of Equipment

In order to obtain an accurate result from a diagnostic test, the ECG technician is responsible for the maintenance and calibration of their equipment. Higher frequencies of maintenance lower periods of downtime and support streamlined procedures in busy healthcare facilities.

Skills Every Successful ECG Technician Needs

To become an ECG technician, one needs to hold a combination of hard skills and soft skills. The following list comprises some of the essential skills required to excel in the role:

1. Technical Skills

ECG technicians must be skilled at working with complex medical equipment. Understanding how to troubleshoot basic machine errors is also a valuable skill.

2. Attention to Detail

Precision is crucial while diagnosing heart issues. Even minute details in the ECG tests can lead to misdiagnosis or treatment procrastination which makes paying attention to detail a requisite.

3. Communication Skills

Being able to communicate in a composed and concise manner is fundamental while dealing with patients. More often than not, patients, particularly those suffering from severe cardiac complications, would be anxious or uneasy while taking the tests. Here, a friendly and kind attitude goes a long way.

4. Physical Stamina

ECG technicians need to have physical stamina due to long shifts, time spent standing, and sometimes aiding patients into a sitting position for examination.

5. Teamwork

A technician does not work in a vacuum. ECG technicians work very closely with other doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to deliver excellent quality services.

Common Work Settings for ECG Technicians

Wondering what will be your area of work as an ECG technician? Below are some of the most known workplaces for people in this position:

Hospitals: ECGs are simple and basic tests performed in hospitals. Therefore, they are the biggest employers of technicians.
Cardiology Clinics: Clinics dealing with heart conditions normally during routine clinical studies need the services of ECG technicians for diagnostic and monitoring processes.
Diagnostic Laboratories: Independent facilities also employ ECG technicians.
Rehabilitation Centers: For patients recovering from heart-related surgeries or illnesses, ECG monitoring is often a part of their rehabilitation.
Telemedicine and Mobile Health Services: Increasingly, ECG technicians are finding employment opportunities in mobile and remote health services, performing tests outside of traditional clinical environments.

How to Become an ECG Technician

As far as the steps involved go, becoming an ECG technician is easier than other professions in the healthcare field.

Here’s how to start your journey:

1. Complete High School or Earn a GED

Most ECG technician programs want candidates to have at least a high school diploma or something equivalent to it.

Enroll in an ECG Technician Program

Community colleges, vocational schools, and medical training centers offer formal training programs which are usually between 6 – 12 months long. These programs instruct learners in ECG practices along with other areas like medical vocabulary, body structure, and anatomy.

Get Certified

Getting certified is always optional but having one for a lot of people increases their chances of employment. Certifications like the ones offered for ECG technicians by the National Healthcare’s Association or Cardiovascular Credentialing International give you added credibility and offer you opportunities for designations like the Certified EKG Technician CET.

Get an Internship / On the Job Training

Some companies offer training to newly hired technicians so that they can gain practice with professionals in the field. By doing this, students build on the skills they learned in class.

Look for a Job and Continue Growing

After getting the necessary certifications, you are now able to apply for different technician positions. From what many professionals say, it usually takes time to advance to higher paying jobs but experience does help.

The Career Outlook for ECG Technicians

The demand for ECG technicians doesn’t seem to ease any time soon. As the population gets older, requiring more diagnostic services, and heart health awareness continues to increase, opportunities in the healthcare field are expanding.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that cardiovascular technologists and technicians (this includes ECG technicians) will have increased employment growth in the future.

Average Salary of ECG Technicians

Though pay varies depending on experience, geographic location, and certificates, ECG technicians in the United States according to data from Indeed, make around $25.39 dollars per hour and $4,185 per month.

Usually those in urban areas and specialized cardiology clinics tend to pay higher wages.

In Nigeria, ECG Technicians are paid an average monthly salary of 221,908 NGN according to WorldSalaries.

Why Choose A Career As An ECG Technician

The following are just some reasons as to why a rewarding career choice is becoming an ECG technician:

Having a Direct Impact on Patients’ Lives: Your work provides support for lifesaving diagnoses and treatments.
Short Training Period: You can join the workforce in a few months instead of years.
High Demand: Health services have a steady demand, which makes job opportunities abundant.
Room for Growth: Your current position can act as a catalyst for other roles in the healthcare field.

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Final Thoughts on Job description of an Electrocardiograph Technician

Becoming an ECG technician allows you to join the healthcare field and help people in a practical way. This career can provide job security, requires little training, and serves as a good entry-level position if you want to advance in the medical field.

If you’re interested in moving forward, search for ECG training programs in your area or get in touch with NHA for help.

Start your journey now and see for yourself how you can make an impact in the healthcare field—and in the lives of the patients you will care for.