Electrocardiography Technician

Oras ng trabaho

EKG Technicians typically work full-time in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and clinics. Shifts may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays—especially in emergency or hospital settings.

Mga Karaniwang Tungkulin

• Prepare patients for EKG tests by explaining procedures and attaching electrodes correctly.
• Operate EKG machines to record heart activity.
• Monitor patients during testing for any distress or irregularities.
• Review EKG tracings for clarity and accuracy before passing them to physicians.
• Maintain and clean equipment regularly.
• Enter patient data into medical records systems.
• Assist during stress tests or Holter monitoring setups.

Mga Karagdagang Pananagutan

• Educate patients on proper electrode placement for at-home monitoring.
• Calibrate and troubleshoot EKG machines and sensors.
• Communicate effectively with nurses and physicians about abnormal results.
• Ensure confidentiality and follow HIPAA regulations.
• Support other diagnostic procedures as needed, such as blood pressure or oxygen readings.
• Stay current with new cardiac technologies and testing standards.

A typical day for an Electrocardiography Technician starts early, preparing EKG machines and checking that all electrodes, wires, and paper supplies are ready for use. The first patients might arrive for routine heart tests or pre-surgery screenings. The technician greets each one, explains the procedure, and carefully places electrodes on their chest, arms, and legs.

Throughout the day, they record EKGs, monitor patients’ heart activity, and make sure every reading is clear and accurate before passing it to the physician. They may assist with treadmill stress tests or set up portable monitors for patients who need continuous tracking.

Teamwork is vital—EKG Technicians coordinate closely with nurses, doctors, and other diagnostic staff to ensure timely and accurate results. Before ending their shift, they clean equipment, organize patient charts, and prepare testing rooms for the next day’s appointments.

Soft Skills

• Communication and empathy
• Pansin sa detalye
• Pamamahala ng oras
• Pagtutulungan at pagtutulungan
• Pagtugon sa suliranin
• Professionalism and discretion
• Adaptability under pressure
• Patience and compassion

Teknikal na kasanayan

• EKG machine operation and maintenance
• Knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology
• Reading and understanding EKG waveforms
• Patient preparation and electrode placement
• Infection control and safety procedures
• Electronic medical record (EMR) documentation
• Basic computer and data entry skills
• CPR and first aid certification

• Resting EKG Technicians: Perform routine tests while patients are at rest.
• Stress Test Technicians: Monitor patients during treadmill or exercise tests.
• Holter Monitoring Technicians: Set up portable EKGs for continuous recording.
• Telemetry Technicians: Monitor heart rhythms of multiple patients remotely in hospitals.

• Hospitals and emergency departments
• Cardiology clinics
• Diagnostic laboratories
• Mga sentro ng pangangalaga sa labas ng pasyente
• Private physician offices
• Long-term care or rehabilitation facilities

The job can be physically and emotionally demanding. You may work long shifts, help anxious or critically ill patients, and remain on your feet for much of the day. Accuracy and composure under stress are crucial—small errors can lead to major consequences.

However, the reward is knowing your work contributes to diagnosing and treating heart disease—one of the world’s leading health concerns.

Advances in wearable heart technology, such as smartwatches and portable EKG devices, are transforming cardiac care. Telemetry and remote monitoring have become increasingly common, allowing technicians to track patients’ heart activity from afar. Artificial intelligence is also being used to help detect early warning signs of cardiac irregularities from EKG data.

Many enjoyed biology and health science classes, liked working with technology, or found satisfaction in helping others. Some were fascinated by how the heart works or enjoyed volunteering at hospitals and clinics.