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The essential nature of an EKG technician’s role in medical care makes it a very rewarding profession.
Before you commit to this field, take time to understand both its benefits and its downsides.
The field has a low barrier to entry but high demand, making it not suitable for all.
We’ll offer a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision about whether EKG tech is right for you.
Then, you can use these to weigh the benefits and drawbacks and see if this career is right for you.
Article Table of Contents
Pros of Being an EKG Technician
The benefits of being an EKG technician are numerous, with the most significant being the job’s rewarding aspect.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to evaluate whether these align with your career goals.
If that’s not an option, consider pursuing a different career.
1. Job Satisfaction
Foremost, working as an EKG technician provides job satisfaction.
Working in a clinical setting is highly rewarding as you’ll work alongside other medical professionals to make a difference in patients’ lives.
Not only that, but you will be one of the first in line to help identify medical issues and help get patients the treatment they need.
Many people find this very rewarding, as it has a large positive impact on patients’ lives.
2. Future Growth Potential
Career advancement is often the most considered aspect when applying for a job.
While EKG technicians can advance in their careers, their growth potential is limited.
Those seeking a peaceful transition into more specialized roles will often enjoy working as an EKG technician.
Especially individuals who want to take on leadership roles through career advancement to lead EKG technician positions.
EKG technicians can choose to stay in their scope of practice and work as lead technicians in other roles.
Alternatively, they can expand their scope and become a cardiovascular technologist.
Lastly, many EKG technicians transfer to other supervisory roles in the medical field due to the job giving them a handful of necessary managerial skills.
3. Job Stability
The healthcare field is consistently growing and has already expanded by over 8.2% from 2022 to 2024.
As a result, we can expect a 5% growth in the number of EKG technicians over the next ten years.
Job stability is always a good thing to have, especially when so much is changing in the modern world.
So, EKG technicians won’t have to worry about their jobs being faded out.
4. Requires Little Training or Education
Many EKG technicians choose to complete a certificate program, which can take as little as six months.
However, program lengths will vary from institution to institution.
That said, EKG training programs never go beyond a year.
Those looking for stable career paths that don’t require much education upfront will probably enjoy becoming an EKG technician.
Requirements to become an EKG technician are a high school diploma or GED, completion of a training program, and certification.
The certificate options must be from an official accrediting institution, such as the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Any other certificate program will not be valid.
Lastly, some institutions may require that applicants meet minimum requirements.
For example, employers may want to see 10 successful EKGs or at least one to two years of prior supervised work.
In addition, some institutions may require training in life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and first aid.
5. Decent Starting Salary
According to Salary.com, an EKG technician makes anywhere from $34,139 to $56,491.
Salary.com quotes the median salary at $43,500.
However, the actual pay will depend on experience, location, and institution.
Those working in lead positions will see higher amounts, while those just starting will see lower.
6. Hands-On Work
As an EKG technician, you’ll be working directly with patients.
This can be very rewarding for those who want a more hands-on job in the medical field.
A handful of other positions often lack patient interaction and aren’t good for extroverts or those who enjoy interacting with other people.
So, being an EKG technician can be satisfying if you enjoy interacting with others and making an impact on patients’ lives.
7. Flexible Employment
One may think that EKG techs only work in one area, but that isn’t entirely true.
EKG technicians have jobs in a wide range of healthcare settings.
Most tend to work in a hospital, but some decide to work at small clinics.
In addition, some EKG techs will work alongside doctors’ offices or even in mobile healthcare vehicles.
While working an average 40-hour week is common, EKG technicians do have a variety of shifts to choose from.
This can include morning, day, and night. Some relief efforts also employ EKG technicians who only work at select times of the year.
So, this career leaves a lot of room for what type of schedule and employment you’d want.
Cons of Being an EKG Technician
Now that you’ve had a chance to review the pros, then you should also consider some cons.
Working as an EKG tech may have plenty of pros, but many cons can impact your health, pay, and schedule.
Below, we’ll give you just some cons you will need to consider.
1. Irregular Hours
While there are many types of shifts to choose from, some positions may come with irregular hours.
For instance, some EKG technicians may be required to be on call or work longer shifts than usual.
Some days the hospital or clinic may not see as many patients or have anyone scheduled.
In these situations, EKG technicians can expect irregular hours.
That said, most EKG technicians work a standard workday.
Technicians must tell their employers what kind of hours they want to work, or at least what hours they expect to work.
Other than that, EKG techs won’t have to worry about irregular hours unless covering longer shifts or overnight.
2. Emotionally Exhausting
Working in a healthcare setting can be extremely rewarding, but also can be very difficult.
One of the biggest downsides is that it can be emotionally draining.
It’s always easy to deliver good news, but as an EKG technician, you may have to deliver life-changing news.
In most situations, you won’t have to be the bearer of bad news.
However, on the off chance that you do, it might be a bit too much to handle emotionally.
Not everyone can handle delivering bad news, especially in a professional manner.
So, you’re going to have to be able to stay professional even while interacting with patients with negative test results.
3. Illness Exposure
EKG technicians work in clinical settings, so they come into contact with illnesses and diseases.
While hospitals have safeguards in place to protect their workers, there is still the risk of contracting an illness.
That said, it’s important that anyone working as an EKG tech has to be a perfectionist when sterilizing their stations.
If done wrong, not only can it put you at risk, but also your patients.
4. Lots of Repetition
A healthcare position is very routine and will often require the same work back to back.
If you’re someone who likes work to change from day to day, then this isn’t the job for you.
EKG technicians will have to follow strict protocols each time they conduct a test.
5. Inconsistent Workloads
A standard hospital EKG technician position will have a consistent schedule.
However, other clinics may have inconsistent workloads.
If you’re someone who enjoys a steady pace of work, then you may not want to be an EKG tech.
Some EKG tests will only be available during certain times of the week, which can limit schedules.
In addition, EKG tests can fluctuate for periods, leading to downtime.
6. Capped Career Advancement
Unless pursuing a cardiology degree by continuing education, an EKG technician doesn’t have much room for growth.
The career path is capped by a lead technician, which is very similar in scope of work.
If you’re looking for a career with more advancement opportunities, then you may want to skip becoming an EKG tech.
7. Requires Accuracy
One of the biggest drawbacks is that being an EKG technician requires you to be highly accurate with your job.
An EKG tech is responsible for running diagnostic tests on patients.
Any inaccuracies can be life-threatening to the patient.
This means that you will need to be highly accurate even in high-stress situations.
Pros and Cons of Being an EKG Technician – Summary Table
| Pros of Being an EKG Technician | Cons of Being an EKG Technician |
|---|---|
| 1. Job Satisfaction | 1. Irregular Hours |
| 2. Future Growth Potential | 2. Emotionally Exhausting |
| 3. Job Stability | 3. Illness Exposure |
| 4. Requires Little Training or Education | 4. Lots of Repetition |
| 5. Decent Starting Salary | 5. Inconsistent Workloads |
| 6. Hands-On Work | 6. Capped Career Advancement |
| 7. Flexible Employment | 7. Requires Accuracy |
Should You Become an EKG Technician?
It’s important to assess the pros and cons before deciding on a career as an EKG technician.
The path to becoming an EKG technician may be straightforward, but the job itself is quite demanding.
Deciding if a career as an EKG tech is a good fit can be done by evaluating the benefits and drawbacks.
If any of these factors are non-negotiable, then a different career might be a better fit.
However, don’t be discouraged, as there are plenty of other healthcare jobs that have a similar impact.