How to Become an EKG Technician in New Jersey

Becoming an EKG technician in New Jersey is an excellent career choice as it is a great stepping stone into the medical field and can be lucrative without extensive schooling.

New Jersey employers require certification, so there’s a process you must follow before entering the workforce.

As the New Jersey population ages and grows, the job outlook for EKG technicians is favorable since the demand for skilled healthcare professionals is at its highest.

Keep reading to learn more about the requirements for becoming an EKG technician in New Jersey!

Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician

There are five essential steps to becoming an EKG technician in New Jersey, including the following:

Step One: Finish High School

To be accepted into an EKG technician training program, you must show a high school diploma.

If you’re currently in high school and know you want to enter this field, focus on physiology, anatomy, and biology courses to understand human body functions.

Also, develop strong interpersonal and communication skills to help in any medical field.

Step Two: Enroll in a Training Program 

Enrolling in an accredited training program is the next step on your EKG career path.

Specialized healthcare training centers, community colleges, and vocational schools usually offer these programs.

During your schooling, expect to learn about:

• Electrocardiographic interpretation and principles
• EKG technician procedures and equipment
• Medical terminology
• Physiology and cardiac anatomy

Completing an educational program provides the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful.

State-accredited programs require firsthand clinical experience that delivers real-world experience with the equipment.

Step Three: Take the Certification Exam

Although the state doesn’t require EKG certification, all employers do, so view this step as the culmination of the learning process.

To become certified, you must pass the certification exam, which most training programs prepare you for the questions.

Accredited organizations like Cardiovascular Credentialing International and the American Society of Phlebotomy administrate the EKG technician certification exam.

The exam comprises multiple-choice questions that evaluate your understanding and knowledge of EKG interpretation, procedures, and principles.

Passing the exam increases your credibility and proves your competence in the field.

Step Four: Find a Job 

Since New Jersey is nestled between New York and Philadelphia, so many EKG jobs exist.

The state is home to several reputable healthcare facilities ranging from diagnostics centers and clinics to hospitals and general healthcare locations.

These institutions regularly search for qualified EKG technicians, so acquiring the necessary certification and education vastly increases your chances of finding a job quickly.

Step Five: Continue with your Education.

Once you have secured a job, continuing education is crucial for EKG technicians seeking to increase their skills and knowledge.

Advanced training courses and higher education degrees can unlock higher-level positions within the medical field and other new opportunities.

Also, many EKG technicians take additional training courses to specialize in specific areas, such as Holter monitoring or stress testing, which can lead to becoming a subject matter expert, thus increasing their market value.

5 EKG Technician Schools in New Jersey

ACI Medical & Dental School

The ACI EKG technician training program prepares students to become certified in the field in as little as five months.

The program can be part of the Medical Assistant Certification program or a standalone course.

The curriculum includes direct clinical instruction and academic lectures to ensure students can meet the workforce’s needs.

American Institute of Medical Sciences and Education

AIMSE offers a Certificate in Cardiovascular Technology and a Certificate in EKG/Phlebotomy Technician.

The EKG program only requires a two-month time commitment, Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Students can also take the program in a hybrid environment, with clinical study in the lab but lectures at home.

This program prepares students to take the Certified EKG Technician exam and covers topics ranging from infection control and safety to cardiac rhythm analysis and recording test results.

Eastern International College

With locations in Belleville and Jersey City, Eastern International College offers an associate degree in Cardiovascular Technology, a two-year commitment.

This accredited program comprises 66 semester credits, 46 relevant coursework, and 20 general education credits.

Eastwick College-Ramsey

Eastwick College offers an Associate and bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, which fulfills EKG technician requirements.

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges accredit the institution.

Throughout this training program, students learn to analyze ultrasound heart and blood vessel imagery to diagnose accurately.

K&G Career Academy

The K&G Career Academy is an accredited institution offering a three-week hybrid EKG technician class comprising 50 hours of online coursework and 20 hours of in-person clinical experience.

This certification involves the significance and theory of an EKG while gaining firsthand experience with EKG testing.

Students can contact the school for more information by navigating to the information request page on the school’s website.

Salary

The average EKG yearly U.S. salary is $42,700, and the average EKG salary in New Jersey is $50,200.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Newark	$48,500
Jersey City	$50,300
Paterson	$49,400
Elizabeth	$48,500
Edison	$48,100
West Orange	$48,500
Lakewood	$47,800
Hoboken	$50,300
Trenton	$46,700
Camden	$45,497

Regional Salary in New Jersey

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most essential skills for becoming an EKG technician in New Jersey?

EKG technicians must have technical expertise and knowledge in their field.

However, to excel in New Jersey, EKG techs must also possess a high level of attention to detail, professionalism in the workplace, technical proficiency, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent communication.

What are the critical responsibilities of a New Jersey EKG Tech?

The primary responsibilities of an EKG tech include:

• Communication includes communicating results to patients and discussing results with other medical personnel.
• Electrode positioning – placing the electrodes on the patient’s legs, arms, and chest is critical to accurately recording the heart’s activity.
• Equipment operation – effectively using the EKG equipment and monitoring the readings to ensure accurate testing results.
• Patient preparation – preparing patients for procedures, answering questions, and explaining the process.
• Troubleshooting – identifying technical issues during the procedure is essential to an effective patient test.

Is being an EKG Technician in New Jersey stressful?

Like most other healthcare careers, the role can be incredibly stressful.

EKG tech must make quicker decisions and think quickly to ensure testing is conducted accurately.

EKG Technician Info by State