Ever thought about working in the healthcare industry in Oklahoma but didn’t want to attend many years of college?
If you were to consider becoming an EKG technician in this state, you could fulfill your dream faster than you could say “electrocardiogram!”
Read this guide to learn more!
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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Oklahoma
As you could tell, EKG stands for electrocardiogram.
This is a procedure that helps physicians discover illnesses related to the heart.
An EKG procedure involves:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verify patients identity
- Performing EKG
- Point of care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining your area and equipment
EKG Tech Job Requirements in Oklahoma
Those who want to become EKG techs in Oklahoma don’t need to meet any requirements.
This can only mean that you can get hired with no experience or training for the field.
In reality, when applying for a job it is common to see ads that mention certain requirements.
You’ll commonly be asked to:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be healthy
- Be detail-oriented
- Have good communication skills
- Have an EKG technician certification
EKG Technician Education in Oklahoma
If the EKG certification is common, you probably want to obtain one as well.
You do this by enrolling in a training program or an apprenticeship.
The majority of people choose the course as it lasts up to 4 months, while the apprenticeship will take a year to complete.
When checking the laws, you’ll also notice there are no specific requirements related to enrolling in a training course.
While the state doesn’t say anything about this, the school often ask for the following:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Over The Age Of 18
- Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
- Negative Hepatitis Test
- Negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
It is possible to find schools that accept younger students, but this is rarer.
Parental approval is mandatory though.
This is a selection of schools in Oklahoma offering training courses to those who want to become EKG technicians.
Top 3 Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| AmeriCARE | 3200 Northwest 48th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73112 |
| MedNoc Training College | 2828 NW 57th Street, Suite 120 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 |
| Metro Technology Centers | 1900 Springlake Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73111-5238 |
These are some of the classes you’ll attend once enrolled:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- Pacemakers
EKG Technician Certification in Oklahoma
You can take the certification exam once you graduate.
You can choose one of these exams with national recognition:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
The exams are proctored at most testing centers and you’re expected to sign up for the chosen test.
To do this, you’ll need to submit some papers and fees.
The papers include the diploma of completion or school transcripts, proof of identity, and an application form.
Those who pass the exam will receive a certificate that must be maintained current.
Check with the agency that issued it to see the renewal period and conditions.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Oklahoma
Of course, once you’re certified you’re ready to start applying for a job.
These are the largest employers for EKG techs:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
Your working hours will be different from one facility to the other, and this will be reflected in your salary.
If you want to have a better idea of how much you can earn in Oklahoma as an EKG technician, have a look at the next table.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $35,900 |
| Tulsa | $37,700 |
| Norman | $35,600 |
| Broken Arrow | $37,600 |
| Lawton | $33,400 |
| Edmond | $35,800 |
| Enid | $35,500 |
| Stillwater | $35,500 |
| Muskogee | $37,300 |
| Bartlesville | $37,300 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 300 | $59,830 | $28.76 | $80,040 | $30,240 |
| Tulsa, OK | 350 | $54,960 | $26.43 | $84,360 | $30,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Oklahoma
ASET, short for the American Society of EKG Technicians, has a very attractive package that costs $150.
The package contains the following:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
To benefit from this package all you need is a computer with access to the Internet.
Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
ASET also gives you the possibility of becoming a Certified EKG Instructor.
Future CEIs need to accumulate at least 5 years of experience first.
Another request is to have a clean criminal background, and you might have to submit your fingerprint for this.
