If you want a career in the medical field, but don’t want to spend years in school before starting your new career, you should consider becoming an EKG technician in Nebraska.
EKG technicians perform electrocardiographs, or EKGs.
This monitors a patient’s heart function.
EKG technicians work closely with doctors and other health professionals to provide care for patients.
Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Nebraska
Nebraska doesn’t have any formal requirements for EKG technicians.
They are classified as unlicensed medical assistants, and work under the supervision of doctors or other licensed professionals.
However, most employers do require you to have a national certification before working as an EKG technician.
Prerequisites
The first requirement to become an EKG technician is a high school diploma or a GED.
You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old.
Some organizations also require background checks, drug tests, vaccinations, and negative Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis tests.
EKG Technician Training or Experience
Some certification agencies require you to complete an EKG training program, or to have at least 1 year of experience as an EKG technician before taking your certification exam.
You’ll need to complete 10 live EKGs before or after passing your certification exam.
EKG Technician Certification
One of the most popular and respected certifications is by the Healthcareer Association, or NHA.
The NHA exam includes a practice exam and costs $125.
You can also buy other study materials if needed.
National Performance Specialists offers a certification as well.
This certification costs $200.
The exam fee includes study materials, unlimited practice tests, and career guidance.
The final option is the American Medical Certification Association, or AMCA, exam.
The Electrocardiograph Technician Certification, or ETC, exam, is 100 questions long.
You’ll have two hours to complete the test.
The test can be completed online or in person with paper and pencil.
The exam costs $119.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Nebraska
Southeast Community College
Southeast Community College offers an EKG technician training course.
The course features classroom learning and laboratory hours.
You must be at least 16 and have a diploma or be close to graduating with your diploma to take the course.
You’ll learn state requirements for EKG technicians, legal and ethical issues related to EKGs, anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, and electrophysiology, including waveforms and interpretations.
You’ll also learn customer service skills, and how to explain procedures to patients.
Phlebotomy Training Specialists
Phlebotomy Training Specialists offers an EKG training program.
You can choose from day, evening, or weekend classes.
You’ll complete a total of 48 hours of in-class phlebotomy training.
Day and evening classes are held for a total of 12 days, Monday through Thursday.
Weekend classes are held on Saturdays for 6 weeks.
You’ll take the NHA EKG certification exam as part of your course.
The fee for the exam is included in your tuition.
Once you’ve passed the exam, you can move on to the externship portion of the course.
The externship lasts for 1 week and includes 40 hours of externship experience.
Western Nebraska Community College 
Western Nebraska Community College offers an EKG technician course through Ed2go.
The program is online and self-paced.
You’ll have 12 months to complete the program, but most students complete it in less than 6 months.
Once you’ve completed the program, a voucher for the NHA CET exam is included in the tuition.
An externship opportunity is offered after completing the program, but it’s not required for graduation.
MedCerts
https://medcerts.com/programs/healthcare/cet-ekg-technicianMedCerts also offers an online EKG technician training program.
The program takes 12 weeks to complete.
The course includes video-based training given by experts, Electrocardiography for the Healthcare Professional in Ebook format, competency assessments as you go through the course, and a voucher for the NHA CET exam.
After completing the course and passing your CET exam, you must perform 10 live EKGs within 180 days.
Allied RX Institute of Healthcare
Allied Rx Institute of Healthcare offers a fast-paced EKG technician training program.
The course is completed completely online, and takes 10 weeks.
However, you can also choose the fast-track program, and complete it in just 5 weeks.
The program is approved and accredited by the NHA and AMCA.
Once you’ve completed the course, you are eligible for either certification exam.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Southeast Community College | 8800 O St, Lincoln, NE 68520, United States |
| Phlebotomy Training Specialists | 11414 West Center Rd, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68144, United States |
| Western Nebraska Community College | 1601 E 27th St, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, United States |
| MedCerts | 14143 Farmington Road. Livonia, MI 48154, United States |
| Allied RX Institute of Healthcare | 2105 E Parham Rd #108, Richmond, VA 23228, United States |
EKG Technician Salary in Nebraska
EKG technicians in Nebraska make an average of $40,100.
Salaries typically range from $35,600 to $46,400.
How much you earn will depend on your experience, education, certifications, and the area you work in.
In the U.S., the average salary for EKG technicians is $42,700.
Salaries typically range between $37,900 and $49,400
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $40,500 |
| Lincoln | $40,100 |
| Bellevue | $40,500 |
| Grand Island | $39,600 |
| Kearney | $39,600 |
| Fremont | $39,900 |
| Hastings | $39,600 |
| North Platte | $38,800 |
| Norfolk | $36,800 |
| Alda | $39,600 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 60 | $57,720 | $27.75 | $84,820 | $37,420 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 190 | $57,620 | $27.7 | $82,770 | $38,480 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EKG technicians in demand in Nebraska?
Yes, EKG technicians are in demand in Nebraska.
Demand is expected to grow quickly, increasing by 22% in the next decade.
Where can I work as an EKG technician in Nebraska?
EKG technicians can work in many settings.
You may choose to work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, private practices, diagnostic labs, imaging centers, nursing homes, and cardiac centers.
Do I need to renew my certification in Nebraska?
Yes.
You’ll need ot renew your EKG technician certification every 2 years.
NHA requires you to complete 10 continuing education credits, while NPS requires you to pass the certification exam each time you recertify.
You’ll need to pay the fee associated with recertification as well.
EKG Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
