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If you already work in a Rhode Island healthcare setting in a medical assisting or phlebotomy role, you might consider complementing your skills with an EKG Technician certificate.
If you do, you will know how to use electrical heart monitoring and testing machines.
You also can start out in this occupation if you have never worked in a medical setting.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island state does not tell you to acquire a license through the government.
However, the RI state strongly urges you to follow the certification process guided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Alternatively, you also can acquire EKG-related credentialing from either the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or The American Society Of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT).
5 EKG Technician Schools in Rhode Island
1. Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
Oftentimes, an EKG Technician will seek a Phlebotomy Certification through CCRI because this coursework also prepares students to read EKG charts.
A phlebotomist with ECG reading experience may have the chance to not only become certified in phlebotomy but also as an EKG Technician.
By the way, a phlebotomist usually draws blood specimens from patients and prepares those samples for laboratory testing, in case you wonder.
Besides that, CCRI also provides Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Medical Laboratory Technology associate degree training.
In addition, you can prepare for a nursing certification through this Rhode Island school.
Otherwise, choose another health concentration, such as health information technology, that most fit your career goals.
Along the way, you learn how to use electrocardiogram machines.
2. MotoRing Technical Training Institute (MTTI)
You can prepare for earning both an EKG and phlebotomy certificate if you want.
After all, monitoring the heart and recording its rhythms (EKG Technologist) and tracking blood pressure or heart rate usually work hand in hand with collecting blood samples (phlebotomist).
You probably will not have a problem finding a job if you train for both EKG Tech and phlebotomist positions, and you will use both skills every day.
MTTI provides these instructional concentrations within its Medical Assistant training program.
3. Center for Workforce and Community Education (CWCE)
The Certified EKG Technician program offered by CWCE provides you a voucher you can use come time to take your American Education Certification Association (AECA) or National Health Career Association (NHA) exam.
AECA provides the Certified EKG Technician Specialist (CETS) certification, and the NHA provides the Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification.
Education To Go operates CWCE, which has become a respected standard for online education.
This CET/CETS program runs for about six months, which equals about 100 hours.
4. Brookline College
Brookline offers a nine-month Medical Assisting program that also includes Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) preparation.
You can use this instruction to prepare for the CCT exam provided by CCI.
You can combine different health career concentrations and use some of that training toward becoming a nurse, which also usually includes phlebotomy and EKG machine skill development.
5. 911 Programs Career Training Institute
911 Programs has a Certified EKG Technician instructional course.
This training takes about 11 weeks with a one-week break.
You learn how to check vital signs and how to perform CPR.
Additionally, this program provides you with physiology and anatomy background information.
Your instruction will also teach you important medical terminology, so you can communicate with healthcare co-workers.
Part of your certificate coursework demonstrates how to use EKG machines.
You also will have the chance to practice on different models and receive hands-on training.
You should be ready to take the CET exam offered by NHA after completing this training.
EKG Technician Schools in Rhode Island – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886 |
| MotoRing Technical Training Institute | 1241 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771 |
| Center for Workforce and Community Education | 1762 Louisquisset Pike Lincoln, RI 02865 US |
| Brookline College | 2445 W Dunlap Ave Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85021 |
| 911 Programs Career Training Institute | 22 Veterans Memorial Dr, Warwick, RI 02886 |
Salary
Rhode Island EKG Technicians usually make an average yearly salary of approximately $42,600.
If you want to increase your income, you can earn additional specializations, such as pediatric cardiac ultrasound or take phlebotomy training.
After a few years, you could make about $49,3000 per year.
Eventually, you could earn an estimated annual income of at least $55,400.
If you move into a management or trainer role, you may make at least $5,000-$10,000 more than this.
You can find Rhode Island EKG Tech work in places like Warwick, Providence, Newport, or Woonsocket.
Try searching the locations nearest you to start.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $42,500 |
| Warwick | $42,500 |
| Cranston | $42,500 |
| Pawtucket | $42,500 |
| East Providence | $42,500 |
| Woonsocket | $42,400 |
| Coventry | $42,400 |
| North Providence | $42,500 |
| Cumberland | $42,500 |
| West Warwick | $42,500 |
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 260 | $88,840 | $42.71 | $117,120 | $46,640 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why become an EKG Technician in Rhode Island?
It is a decent-paying position for the short training time required.
What is more, you may feel a sense of satisfaction when helping people resume their daily activities.
You might even extend the lives of a rapidly growing aging population.
Do I need a degree to become a RI EKG tech?
No, you do not need a degree.
However, you can pursue your education beyond the certificate level.
For instance, some people might start out as an EKG tech and decide to become a nurse.
If so, they might work toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.
How long does it take to become a Rhode Island EKG Technician?
Your first certification may only take you about six to nine months to complete.
However, you can study other specialties, such as phlebotomy (blood drawing and lab test preparation), which will enhance your skills.
Some people also decide to acquire their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees.
What tasks does a Rhode Island EKG Technician perform?
An EKG Tech operates electrocardiogram machines.
This starts with applying the electrode wiring to a patient’s body.
After this, the technician does reading and tracks the results.
Then, a report to a nurse or doctor is made.
What personal qualifications should an EKG Tech have in RI?
This professional must have patience when hooking up a distressed person requiring care to the EKG machine.
If you serve in this role, your ability to work under pressure will help you stay calm in a crisis.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State