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EKG technicians play a critical role in a healthcare team since they are qualified to conduct a variety of administrative and clinical tasks including equipment maintenance, diagnosis, documentation, and a variety of other important responsibilities.
Although the State of Virginia does not require formal education or certification, most employers do, so it is best to plan on getting academic training before starting your career.
Many schools also offer job placement programs with hospitals and medical offices in the area.
If you’re interested in becoming an EKG technician in Virginia, keep reading to find out your best path to success!
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Virginia
Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation does not require formal EKG training or certification.
The Board of Nursing creates and enforces all regulations that affect allied health professionals.
Therefore, any individual interested in entering the cardiac care field must complete the CNA (nurse aid certification) and training program that addresses the basic tasks of providing patient care.
However, the CET (certified EKG technician) certificate covers this requirement, which you are prepared for with a training program.
There are several steps to earning the certificate, including:
Earn a High School Diploma
To enter any EKG training program, you must have earned a high school diploma or higher.
This is the minimum educational requirement for every online or in-class program in the United States.
Provide Testing and Immunization Records
As part of your application to a school, most training programs require a negative hepatitis test, negative TB test, and all immunization records.
This is critical since you will be directly touching and dealing with a variety of patients.
Enter an EKG Technician Training Program
Once you are accepted into an EKG technician training program, you must complete the curriculum where you will earn a certificate of completion.
While this does not make you a certified EKG technician, as it is only proof of completion, it proves that you have learned the requirements to help you pass the national certification exam.
Take the CET Exam
Once you have the proof of completion, you must register for the certification exam and prepare by reviewing the provided materials.
Different third-party agencies administer the exam, with the most popular being ASET.
This agency provides unlimited practice exams, all exam materials, and three opportunities to pass the exam.
Once you have passed this exam, you are awarded the CET certification and enter the national registry, with a digital copy of the documentation.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Virginia
Blue Ridge Community College
Graduates of the Blue Ridge Community College EKG technician program will understand how to read data for the diagnosis of various heart conditions.
Furthermore, graduates can set up and administer EKGs, stress tests, and Holter monitor, as well as schedule appointments, and maintain equipment.
This program can be completed in 8-weeks through in-person lab work, and online lectures.
The school has a free mandatory healthcare orientation that must be completed before the first day.
Metropolitan Institute of Health
EKG training at the Metropolitan Institute of Health allows students to learn how to deliver and edit final test results, transcribe interpretations, schedule appointments, prepare patients for ambulatory monitoring and Holter, and set up and administer EKGs.
Tuition for this program costs $1,500 and the training length is 10-weeks.
Piedmont Virginia Community College
This EKG technician training program gives students the skills and knowledge to administer cardiac testing in a medical environment.
The curriculum includes legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, professional etiquette, stress, and monitor testing, principles of electrocardiography, taking and documenting vitals, disease processes, and cardiac anatomy.
The total number of hours required for this program is 90, which is around 12-weeks.
Thomas Nelson Community College
The EKG technician program at Thomas Nelson Community College prepares students for the certification exam and a fruitful medical career by exposing them to common job duties like the use of EKG grid paper, lead placement, troubleshooting and unit operation, plotting, and recognizing patterns.
This program can be completed in approximately 11 weeks and is only offered in class.
Tidewater Medical Training
The goal of the EKG technician training at Tidewater Medical Training is to learn how to administer stress tests and EKGs, prepare patients for monitoring, communicate tests, transcribe physician readings, and pass the CET exam.
The cost of the program is $1,070 for tuition, supplies, and materials, and the total program length is 70 hours.
This program is only offered in-class at one of the several training facilities.
EKG Technician Schools in Virginia – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | 1 College Ln, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 |
| Metropolitan Institute of Health | 8170 Silverbrook Rd Suite C, Lorton, VA 22079 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | 501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Thomas Nelson Community College | 99 Thomas Nelson Dr, Hampton, VA 23666 |
| Tidewater Medical Training | 1503 Hardy Cash Dr, Hampton, VA 23666 |
Salary
The U.S. median salary for an EKG technician is $40,600.
In comparison, the median salary in Virginia is almost identical at $40,500.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $38,800 |
| Norfolk | $38,200 |
| Chesapeake | $38,100 |
| Richmond | $40,500 |
| Newport News | $38,000 |
| Hampton | $38,000 |
| Alexandria | $45,100 |
| Portsmouth | $38,200 |
| Roanoke | $37,500 |
| Lynchburg | $37,400 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VA | 40 | $63,430 | $30.5 | $97,570 | $36,370 |
| Richmond, VA | 190 | $67,400 | $32.41 | $99,390 | $37,960 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 440 | $67,370 | $32.39 | $90,060 | $36,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why become an EKG technician in Virginia?
Demand for EKG technicians is expected to grow in the United States by 17 percent over the next decade, which is faster than average for most other occupations.
With Virginia’s population continuing to grow in major cities and the U.S. population continuing to age, the need for EKG technicians is even greater.
What does an EKG technician do at Virginia medical centers?
EKG technicians perform a variety of tests on the patient’s lungs and heart using an electrocardiogram.
The process involves attaching wires across the patient’s body and then analyzing and reporting the results to the physician.
Tests are administered while the patient is physically active or while at rest.
Other responsibilities include scheduling, diagnostic preparation, reporting, and following in-house procedures.
What are the skills required to be an EKG technician in Virginia?
The most successful Virginia-based EKG technicians have excellent attention to detail, great customer service and people skills, physical stamina, technical abilities, and fantastic hand-eye coordination.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State