If you want a career in healthcare without spending years in school, you should consider becoming an EKG technician in West Virginia.
You can become an EKG technician in months, instead of years.
EKG technicians check patients’ heart function by administering electrocardiograms, or EKGs.
To become an EKG technician, you’ll need to attend an EKG technician training program and pass a certification exam.
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Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician
There are a few steps you should follow to become a certified EKG technician.
It’s important to note that you aren’t required to be certified to work as an EKG technician in West Virginia.
However, most employers will require you to be certified or have on-the-job experience before being hired.
Prerequisites for Becoming an EKG Technician
Before you begin the process of becoming an EKG technician, you will need to meet some requirements.
You will need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Most schools and employers require you to be up-to-date on vaccinations and have a negative tuberculosis and Hepatitis B test.
You’ll also need a felony-free background.
Complete an EKG Training Program
The first step to getting an EKG certification is to complete an EKG training program.
Most programs take a few weeks to a few months.
Once you’ve completed a training program, you are ready for your EKG certification exam.
Pass a National Certification Exam
The final part of the process is passing a national certification exam.
The most well-recognized is the National Healthcareer Association, or NHA.
The test costs $125, which includes a practice test.
Other study guides are available for purchase as well.
National Performance Specialists also offer a certification, which includes practice tests and modules.
The cost of the exam is $200.
Both options allow you to take the test online and will notify you of your results within a few days of completing the test.
5 EKG Technician Schools in West Virginia
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers an EKG/cardiovascular technician training program.
The program takes 3 months to complete.
Students will learn laboratory assisting, electrocardiography, and echocardiography.
This prepares them to work in a variety of environments and use state-of-the-art monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
They will learn how to maintain and use an EKG machine through hands-on labs.
Students also learn chest anatomy for lead placement, including 12-lead placement.
The program also focuses on professional skill development which allows EKG technicians to work as part of a team along with a physician, and patient care skills.
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College has an EKG technician program.
It requires 45 contact hours.
The program takes 6 weeks, with classes in the evenings and Saturdays.
Students will learn the anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical terminology, ethics, and disease processes.
They also learn electrocardiography, stress testing, and the anatomy of the chest wall for lead placement.
Students will learn to use an EKG machine, place leads, and other clinical processes through hands-on labs.
Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
The Bridge Valley Community and Technical College EKG Technician Training course includes 72 hours of classroom instruction.
Some of the instruction is in the classroom, and some of the content is online.
You will participate in hands-on labs, and complete 48 hours of clinical practice at a local facility for on-the-job practice.
Once you’ve completed the program, you will be prepared to take the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) Electrocardiograph Technician national exam.
West Virginia Northern Community College 
West Virginia Northern Community College offers an EKG technician course at its Wheeling campus.
The course is 5 weeks long and includes classroom instruction and hands-on practice.
Students must complete 10 EKGs as part of the program.
Once you’ve completed the program you are eligible to take the NHA EKG certification exam.
AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare
AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare offers a completely online EKG technician training course.
Students can choose the 10-week course, or the 5-week fast-track course.
The program includes online classroom instruction and virtual labs.
Once the program is completed, students can take the NHA certification exam.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | 13650 Apple Harvest Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25403, United States |
| Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College | 316 Eastern Dr, Moorefield, WV 26836, United States |
| Bridge Valley Community and Technical College | 2001 Union Carbide Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303, United States |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | 1704 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003, United States |
| AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare | 2105 E Parham Rd #108, Richmond, VA 23228, United States |
EKG Technician in West Virginia Salary
The average salary for an EKG technician in West Virginia is $48,052.
Salaries typically range from $40,272 to $56,229 a year.
How much you can earn will vary based on your education, certification, experience, and other skills.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $39,000 |
| Huntington | $38,300 |
| Parkersburg | $38,000 |
| Wheeling | $41,900 |
| Morgantown | $41,900 |
| Weirton | $41,800 |
| Fairmont | $41,900 |
| Beckley | $38,700 |
| Clarksburg | $37,700 |
| Martinsburg | $47,500 |
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
Are EKG technicians in demand in West Virginia?
EKG technician jobs in West Virginia are stable and growing at a steady rate.
Nationwide, these positions are expected to grow by 12% in the next decade, which is faster than average.
Do I need to renew my EKG technician certification in West Virginia?
Yes.
You’ll need to renew your certification every two years.
NPS requires you to retake the certification exam and pay a fee.
NHA requires you to complete 10 continuing education credits from the classes on their website.
Then, you’ll pay a renewal fee.
Is it difficult to become an EKG technician in West Virginia?
Becoming an EKG technician in West Virginia does require training and passing a certification exam.
However, the courses are much shorter than most programs in the medical field, and about 74% of people pass the certification exam.
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