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Did you ever wonder if it is possible to enter a medical career without spending four to eight years in school?
If you become an EKG Technician in West Virginia, you could work full time in less than a year while still in training.
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Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in West Virginia
West Virginia has no licensing requirements to become an EKG technician.
However, your healthcare employer will require you to have a certification, such as the Certified EKG Technician (CET) credential offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Earning a CET certificate will prepare you for entry-level positions that include operating an electrocardiogram and interpreting patient results.
4 EKG Technician Schools in West Virginia
1. Parkersburg West Virginia University (WVUP)
WVUP offers a Patient Care Technician (PCT) program that includes both EKG Technician and Phlebotomy classes.
The EKG classes teach you how to attach machine wiring to a person’s body that will transmit heart activity into physical 12-lead readings.
Your coursework will also provide you with hands-on experience with every stage of operating patient testing machines.
During this training, you will know what it is like to work in a healthcare environment full time.
You will become eligible for the CET offered by the NHA, or you could take the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) when you complete this coursework.
By the way, phlebotomy is the act of collecting blood samples from patients and preparing them for testing.
An EKG Technician often earns certifications in phlebotomy, both of which skills work hand in hand.
2. Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
This workforce-based education program lasts 45 hours and takes about five weeks to complete.
It teaches you the medical terminology, ethics, anatomy, and stress testing processes you need to know for an entry-level EKG Technician job.
12-lead electrode placement instruction is included, and you will learn how to generate and interpret patient EKG test results.
You could also use this as a refresher course come time to renew your CET credential, but you may still also want to take some advanced classes with it.
3. West Virginia Northern Community College (WVCC)
The EKG Technician courses at WVCC will teach you the foundations, such as medical ethics and terminology, pathology, and infection control.
In addition, you will have the chance to complete the 10 EKG tests required for NHA certification as a CET.
A typical course takes five weeks to complete, which may work as either a refresher for maintaining a certificate or for preparing you for entry-level work.
It also includes safety procedures and provides you with patient privacy information.
4. West Virginia University (WVU)
WVU provides information about Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician jobs.
Training relates to duties you would perform as an EKG Technician.
A related degree includes the Exercise Physiology concentration, which prepares you for understanding your patients when they come in for heart testing and monitoring.
The coursework includes stress testing an electrocardiogram machine usage practice and patient results interpretations.
Your time spent in this training also gives you real-world practice preparing patients for their tests.
EKG Technician Schools in West Virginia – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Parkersburg West Virginia University | 300 Campus Dr, Parkersburg, WV 26104 |
| Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College | 316 Eastern Dr, Moorefield, WV 26836 |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | 1600 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003 |
| West Virginia University | PO Box 6201. Morgantown, West Virginia 26506 |
Salary
An EKG Technician can make an average of $35,900 per year as reported by May 2022.
The usual salary ranges from $31,900 to $41,600.
If you maintain your current certificates, keep up with your continuing education requirements, and learn new skills, you could raise your annual earnings to at least $46,790.
Beaver, Charleston, Clarksburg, and Huntington are some places where you can find EKG Tech jobs.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,900 |
| Huntington | $36,200 |
| Parkersburg | $36,000 |
| Wheeling | $39,700 |
| Morgantown | $39,700 |
| Weirton | $39,600 |
| Fairmont | $39,700 |
| Beckley | $36,600 |
| Clarksburg | $35,700 |
| Martinsburg | $44,899 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 130 | $51,130 | $24.58 | $84,950 | $32,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary role of a West Virginia EKG Technician?
An EKG Technician specializes in performing tests that record the electrical activity of the heart.
They also interpret results, which doctors and nurses can use to diagnose a variety of cardiac conditions.
What is the job outlook for EKG Technicians in West Virginia?
EKG Technician applicants in West Virginia may see a 14% increase in the number of EKG Technician jobs between 2020 and 2030.
Total projected employment change by 2030 equals about 19,100 with an average of 12,000 related openings every year.
What are the requirements to become an EKG Technician in West Virginia?
To become an EKG Technician in West Virginia, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You must also complete an accredited EKG Technician training program.
Healthcare employers also require that you pass a national certification exam, such as the CET provided by the NHA.
Other credentialing bodies, by the way, include the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and National Performance Specialists (NPS) formerly known as the American Society of EKG Technicians (ASET).
What is the average length of an EKG Technician training program?
Average training for an entry-level position starts at about four months.
You might add to this by acquiring advanced EKG Tech training, CPR, Infection Control, and other credentials usually required by medical facilities to work without close supervision.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State