Electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians

Electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians are health care employees who perform diagnostic tests that help doctors identify cardiovascular problems in patients. The tests can help discover any irregularities in the heart that could lead to a heart attack or heart disease. They work mostly in hospitals but can also work in long-term specialty care facilities or private practices. The EKG technician explains the test to patients prior to conducting them. Once the patient is on the machine, the technician monitors heart performance and the patient’s blood pressure.

Other duties include:

• Executing EKG services according to the hospital’s procedures
• Maintaining EKG equipment and any required inventory needed to run tests
• Performing related administrative tasks including recording results, filing and data entry
• Attending additional training programs as required by the health care system, including safety procedures
• Performing and scheduling EKG tests