Education that Drives Your Career Forward
Cal State East Bay’s EKG Technician Certificate Program provides the skills you need to make an impact in the healthcare profession. You’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical disease processes and terminology, electrocardiography, and echocardiography.
Cal State East Bay’s EKG Technician Certificate Program provides the skills you need to make an impact in the healthcare profession.
You’ll also gain insight into medical ethics and legal aspects of patient contact. Most importantly, you’ll be prepared to take national certification examinations sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Preparation for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Electrocardiograph Technician Exam
Taught by faculty with extensive experience in EKG and cardiac medicine
Held at CSUEB’s Oakland Center, the EKG Technician Program places you in the role of both technician and patient. During hands-on labs, you’ll be introduced to the function and proper use of the EKG machine, learn the normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement, and other clinical practices.
The course is ideal for working professionals who want to enter the field or advance their careers. Having the flexibility to expand your education at your own pace is definitely a benefit of the program.
Your Skills in Action
Participating in CSUEB’s EKG Technician Certificate Program provides you with the foundation necessary to excel in the healthcare field. You will leave the program with:
Practical skills required to attain entry-level EKG technician positions.
Skills and knowledge necessary to sit for state and national certification exams.
Expertise in clinical practices such as proper use of the EKG machine and 12-lead placement.
Deliver Critical Healthcare Services
Diagnosing medical conditions using non-invasive methods is the preference of doctors, patients, and insurers. As a result, imaging technology will continue to be an important component when diagnosing patients. Armed with your EKG Technician Certificate, you demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and practical skills to be a contributing member of their healthcare team. Whether you’re overseeing EKG test procedures or assisting physicians with diagnosing cardiac irregularities, your presence and skills are vital to ensuring quality patient care.
Occupational Outlook
In 2023, the median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, a category that includes EKG technicians, was $80,850.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2022 to 2032.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
General medical and surgical hospitals are the primary employer of cardiovascular technologists and technicians, followed by offices of physicians.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
It was an excellent class and the professor was very dedicated and had passion for her field.
Patient Care at Its Finest
With your certificate from Cal State East Bay, you’ll have the hands-on experience required to provide critical healthcare services. You can perform diagnostic imaging tests with skill and confidence while also instilling confidence in your patients. You’ll oversee EKG test procedures, record EKG readings, administer stress tests, and administer Holter monitoring tests. You’ll also provide EKG test data to physicians for additional analysis.
Upon completion of the program, graduates have accepted positions in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. Still others have joined insurance companies where they assist with establishing health and life insurance policies.
Here is what successful graduates of the program have to say:
I had the flexibility to balance my professional demands while expanding my education.
The program has absolutely helped me in my career. I am a health educator and it has increased my knowledge of the heart and heart disease greatly.
The program provides an excellent learning experience. The teachers are extremely knowledgeable and are always willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed.
Program Objectives
Completing Cal State East Bay’s EKG Technician Program will provide you with working knowledge of:
- Medical ethics and legal aspects surrounding patient contact.
- Medical disease processes and terminology related to electrocardiography.
- How to analyze and interpret EKG strips.
- How an EKG department functions in various environments including clinics, hospitals, offices, and mobile settings.
- How to analyze EKG printouts to measure cardiac intervals and complexes as well as determine normal versus abnormal readings.
Program Format
The EKG Technician Certificate Program is offered in the evenings in a classroom setting at CSUEB’s Oakland Center.
Certificate Requirements
To earn an EKG Technician Certificate, you must complete one required 11.5-week/60-hour course. The course includes a graded final exam to help prepare you for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician Exams. You will be required to pass EKG Technician Exams and other state and national certification exams administered by ASPT.
Required Courses
| Course | Units | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTX 153: EKG Technician Certification Program |
Ready to Enroll?
If you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, you’re invited to enroll in the EKG Technician Program.
At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.