EKG Tech Training, Certification and Salary in Tennessee

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Do you want to work in the healthcare industry, but you don’t really want to be a doctor?

Choosing an occupation as an EKG tech in Tennessee your wish can come true!

Additionally, your education or training may not even be relevant, so stick around to find out more!

Search EKG Technician Programs

Get information on EKG Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Tennessee

The position of an EKG tech is an entry-level one.

What’s more, other medical personnel usually get trained to perform EKGs, but having dedicated individuals is not unheard of.

This is what you’re expected to do as an EKG technician:

  • 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 Tennessee

In Tennessee, you can easily work as an EKG tech even without a certification.

However, it is very common for employers to set up prerequisites when it comes to the hiring process.

It’s common to be asked for the following when seeking employment:

  • 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 Tennessee

Deciding to get a diploma means you need to find a good training program.

You can choose between an apprenticeship with a duration of at least a year, and a training course of about 4 months.

One of the best things about training as a future EKG tech is that you also don’t have to meet any requirements.

When enrolling, it’s common for schools to ask for:

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Over The Age Of 18
  • Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
  • A negative Hepatitis Test
  • A negative TB Test
  • Immunization Records

Depending on the school, students who are younger than the mentioned age could enroll with parental approval.

If you want to see the schools in Tennessee that offer EKG technician training, the table below has them!

Top 16 Schools in Tennessee

School NameAddress
Academy of Allied Health Careers5600 Brainerd Rd Ste. C-3, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Columbia State Community College795 Main St, Clifton, TN 38425
Compassionate Care Technical Center2424 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
Fortis Institute1025 TN-111, Cookeville, TN 38501
Health Tech Institute3874 Viscount Ave Suite 1, Memphis, TN 38118
JSCC - Savannah-Hardin County Center 840 Pickwick Rd, Savannah, TN 38372
NGH School of Health Sciences1818 Albion St, Nashville, TN 37208
Northwest Phlebotomy School1331 Union Ave Suite 1000, Memphis, TN 38104
Northwest Phlebotomy School1350 Rosa L Parks Blvd #454, Nashville, TN 37208
Roane State Community College276 Patton Ln, Harriman, TN 37748
Tennessee College of Applied Technology1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919
Tennessee College of Applied Technology813 W Main St, Hohenwald, TN 38462
Tennessee College of Applied Technology1745 Harriman Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748
The Healthcare Institute Inc7253 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38125
University of Tennessee554 University St, Martin, TN 38237
We R CPR5959 Shallowford Rd #227, Chattanooga, TN 37421

You could be studying subjects such as these:

  • Heart anatomy
  • Medical disease processes
  • Medical terminology
  • Electrocardiography
  • Echocardiography
  • Ethics
  • Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
  • Pacemakers

Practice hours should also be part f the curriculum, regardless of the school you choose.

EKG Technician Certification in Tennessee

To get the certificate at the end of your training, you must pass an exam.

Most of the tests are recognized nationally and they include:

  • ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
  • NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
  • ASET

Candidates must sign up and show proof they completed 10 EKGs successfully.

They’ll also need a series of papers including official school transcripts and an application form.

There will be at least 2 fees to pay as well:

  • The sign-up fee
  • The exam fee

Once you’re certified, you’ll need to make sure you keep it up-to-date.

The renewal process may involve completing some additional classes of continuing education.

EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Tennessee

The following institutions will be more likely to hire you now that you have a certificate:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Physician’s offices
  • Various other healthcare facilities

It’s good to know ahead of time that the work hours will differ among these facilities.

Your salary will be affected by your schedule as well as by your experience, or the city you work in.

For a better idea of what the salaries look like in Tennessee’s largest cities, look at the table below.

Annual Salary Range:
$28K
$35K
$46K

Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Tennessee

City NameSalary
Nashville$36,500
Memphis$36,400
Knoxville$36,000
Chattanooga$35,400
Clarksville$35,700
Murfreesboro$36,200
Franklin$36,400
Jackson$36,100
Johnson City$34,200
Hendersonville$36,400
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Tennessee

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Chattanooga, TN-GA130$85,020$40.88$147,560$31,400
Jackson, TN50$51,160$24.6$85,110$26,660
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA50$50,490$24.28$62,390$27,330
Knoxville, TN190$56,790$27.31$73,610$33,400
Memphis, TN-MS-AR280$55,400$26.64$79,770$30,250
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN410$63,980$30.76$89,510$36,040
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Tennessee

Many folks choose the ASET (American Society of EKG Technicians) exam because they have access to the following, for just $150:

  • Full study guide
  • Unlimited practice exams,
  • 3 final certification exam attempts
  • A professional resume revision

All these bonuses are available online.

Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)

After 5 years of working as an EKG technician, you have the possibility of becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI).

For this, you must have passed the ASET exam.

You’ll need to submit your fingerprints as well, as you need to pass a criminal background check.

Certified EKG Instructors have the right to teach EKG in a training school or to open a training center.

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