EKG Technician

Professional Certificate Program

Program Information and
Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview of the Profession .......................................................................................... 2
What EKG Technicians Do ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Employment Prospects in the Field .......................................................................................................................... 2
Program Overview ................................................................................................................................. 2
Course Content.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Key Areas Covered in This Course ................................................................................................................................... 2
Detailed Course Topics Covered in This Course .............................................................................................................. 3

Prerequisites .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Tuition and Fees ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
Registration ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Schedule..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Current offerings............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Location ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Course Completion ................................................................................................................................ 4
Required Scores ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Documentation of Course Completion .................................................................................................................... 4
Letter of Completion....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Certificate of Completion................................................................................................................................................ 5

Certification ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................... 5
Additional Information .......................................................................................................................... 7

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Introduction and Overview of the Profession

What EKG Technicians Do
EKG Technicians are responsible for performing electrocardiogram tests in order to monitor and record
electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. These tests include basic EKGs, Holter Monitoring (portable EKG
which records activity for 24-48 hrs.), 12 - lead placement and Stress Tests (treadmill). They assist physicians in
diagnosing and treating cardiac and blood vessel irregularities.

Employment Prospects in the Field

Employment of electrocardiogram EKG technicians is projected to grow 39 percent from 2012 to 2022, much
faster than the average for all occupations. EKG Technicians work in physician offices, hospitals, clinics, and
other health care facilities and organizations. EKG Technicians also work for insurance companies to establish
health and life insurance policies.

Program Overview
The EKG Technician Program at SDSUs College of Extended Studies
Course Content
This comprehensive 52.5-hour EKG Technician Certification Program prepares students to function as EKG
Technicians and to take the American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) Electrocardiograph (EKG)
Technician exam. This course will include important practice and background information on anatomy of the
heart, physiology, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, and legal aspects of
patient contact, laboratory assisting, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. At the conclusion of the
classroom course, students will take the EKG certification exam on the SDSU campus. The fee for the exam is
not included. See information about the exam provided below.
After obtaining the suggested practical work experience, students who complete the course will be prepared
to sit for a professional certification exam (see Certification section).
SDSU is approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Key Areas Covered in This Course

Echocardiography
12 - lead EKGs (interpretation and troubleshooting) and 12 - lead placement
EKG strip analysis
Anatomy of the heart
Medical terminology related to electrocardiography

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Detailed Course Topics Covered in This Course

Role of the EKG Technician

Function of the EKG Department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile service)
Introduction to medical terminology
Medical terminology related to electrocardiography
Care and safety of patients, medical and legal aspects
Anatomy of the heart, conduction system, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
Electrical conduction system of the heart
Cardiac cycle (electric system)
EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave form interpretation)
Normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardis, sinus tachycardia
Basic EKG interpretation, sinus rhythm, and ventricular rhythms, asystole; example rhythm
Recognizing artifacts; troubleshooting, tracing problems
Practice EKG strips; EKG rhythms
Preparing a patient for EKG
12 - lead EKGs (interpretation and troubleshooting)
12 - lead placement
Echocardiography
Other roles for the EKG Technician

Prerequisites
Students enrolling in the course must have:

A high school diploma or GED

The ability to read, write, and comprehend English
Good math skills

Tuition and Fees

The total program fee is $1,499 and includes textbooks and parking. This amount must be paid in full at the
time of registration. Payment plans are not available. Note: All course offerings and prices are subject to
change. Financial aid options are listed on our website here: Financial Aid Options.
Please note that this is a non-credit professional development certificate that does not offer transferrable
units to a degree program such a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree.

Registration
Detailed registration information and instructions are located on our website here: Registration Information.
If possible, please register at least two weeks in advance to avoid class cancellations. No application is
necessary to register for this course.

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Schedule
The EKG Technician Professional Certificate Course is offered twice annually, in fall and spring.
Current offerings
The schedule for Spring 2016 is as follows:

Dates: March 15, 2016 May 5, 2016 (Registration opens October 7)

Days/Times: Tues. & Thurs. from 6:00 - 9:30 PM

Class will not be held on the following dates:

o Thursday, March 31 (Cesar Chavez Day Campus Closed)

Location
Courses are held at SDSUs College of Extended Studies in the Gateway Center or Extended Studies Center
buildings located at 5250 Campanile Drive. You will receive the exact building and room number for your
class prior to the course start date via email. Classroom location information is also posted daily on the
electronic display boards located throughout the Gateway Center and Extended Studies Center buildings.

Course Completion
Required Scores
To pass the course and be eligible to receive the Certificate of Completion, students must earn a final score
of 70% or higher.
Points
Score
100 - 90%
Excellent
89 - 80%
Above Average
79 - 70 %
Average
69 - 60 %
Marginal
Below 59%
Unsatisfactory
Incomplete
Did not complete
*An Incomplete score must be approved by the instructor and CES. Student must have completed at least
60% of the class coursework.

Documentation of Course Completion

Letter of Completion
At the completion of this course, students may download a Letter of Completion using the CES Gateway
Login portal on our website. The Letter of Completion will include all course details (i.e. course title,
start/completion dates, course cost, and final score); students may provide a copy of this letter to their HR
departments for tuition reimbursement purposes. For those organizations that require a grade or its
equivalent to reimburse employees based on performance, the course grading rubric reflects a score that is
equivalent to the traditional grading systems using letter grades A-F (see previous table).

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Certificate of Completion
At the completion of the course, students must submit a Certificate Application online in order to receive a
Certificate of Completion. This certificate includes the students name, the program title, and the date the
course was completed. This certificate may be framed or copied to include with a rsum when applying for
jobs. Use this link to request your Certificate.

Certification
After obtaining the suggested practical work experience, students who complete this course may choose to
sit for the Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam* through the American Society of Phlebotomy
Technicians (ASPT). Visit ASPTs website for detailed exam and membership information and requirements.
* Fees for the certification exam are not included in the program tuition. SDSU CES proctors and administers
the certification exam for this course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is SDSU accredited?
A: Yes. SDSU is accredited through Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Q: Where can I find information to assist in my career planning?

A: The US Department of Labor is a great place to start your research. Its Occupational Outlook handbook
includes information about jobs, earnings, titles, job descriptions, job markets and potential new jobs.
Please note: The College of Extended Studies does not provide formal career services as part of the
health care program. From time to time, employers contact us expressing interest in recruiting our
students; in these cases, we can forward job position announcements to graduates of our programs.
Additionally, students report they have found valuable networking opportunities via their interactions
with other professionals in their classes.

Q: Is the certification exam fees included with the course?

A: No. Fees for certification exams are not included in the program tuition, however the certification exam is
administered at CES. Arrangements to pay and take the EKG certification exam will be made with your
instructor during the class (see Certification section).

Q: Will this certificate enable me to get a job in the EKG technician field?
A: This course is specifically designed to help you take and pass the national certification exam. You will be
given information and tools needed to work as an EKG Technician. However we encourage you to do
your own research on this profession prior to taking the course. CES provides course training and does
not assist with job placement.
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Q: Does the course include an externship?

A: While we do not offer externship opportunities for this course, we encourage students to seek externship
opportunities on their own after they have completed our program.

Q: How do I register?
A: 1. Go to the Health Care Education registration web page. Choose your desired class from the middle
panel; details (official class name, term dates, schedule number, registration deadline) will appear on the
right-hand panel.
2. Choose your preferred method of registration.
Online (credit card only)
Choose your desired class (per step 1 above).
Click on the red Enroll Now button (right-hand panel) to add the course to your shopping cart. When
done adding all desired courses to your cart, click Continue.
You will now be on the 4 Easy Steps to Register Online page. Click Continue.
You will now be on the CES Gateway Login page. Click Continue.
If you have a Red ID (student ID), log in.
If this is your first term enrolling in SDSU/CES classes, click on Create a New Account, follow
instructions, and a Red ID will be generated.
Phone (credit card only)
Call the CES Registration Office at (619) 594-5152. Please have all class details (per step 1 above) ready
when you call.
Paper (credit card, money order, and cash accepted if submitting form in person)
Download the paper registration form from the CES website.
Complete the form with your personal information and relevant course information (per step 1
above).
Be sure to enroll no later than the registration deadline usually one week after the first day of class. Late
registrations are granted only in special circumstances and will incur additional fees.

Q: What is the difference between obtaining a professional certificate through SDSU and becoming a
certified EKG technician?
A: Professional certificates, which are offered through SDSUs College of Extended Studies, should not be
confused with certifications, which are offered through third party, standard-setting organizations.
Professional certificates are awarded by educational programs or institutions and indicate completion of a
course or series of courses with a specific focus; typically listed on a rsum detailing education. EKG
Technician is a non-credit course and will not lead to credits for obtaining a Bachelors or Masters
Degree. Professional certificates are recognized by most employers as a significant academic
accomplishment and can lead to new jobs as well as promotions for those who obtain them. They are
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also usually more relevant and focused for todays workforce than academic degrees and can be
completed in a much shorter period of time. This course will prepare you for certification exams (see
Certification section).
Certifications are awarded by a third party, standard-setting organization such as ASPT (see Certification
section) and indicate mastery of skills measured against a set of standards usually by an application or an
exam. Certification exams require test takers to meet specific educational and/or experience criteria, as
well as to pass the written examination. We encourage you to research exam requirements for each
industry organization.

Additional Information
Thank you for reviewing the program information. To obtain additional information or ask specific questions not
answered here, please contact the Program Coordinator, Precious Jordan-Talley:
Email: healthcare.ces@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619.594.3297
Website: neverstoplearning.net/healthcare

EKG Technician Professional Certificate Course - Rev 9/29/15 AD