Maybe you want to work as an EKG tech in Virginia.
First of all, you should have some info about this job and learn more about the requirements.
For that, all you have to do is read the guide below.
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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Virginia
In Virginia, this job entails helping doctors to properly diagnose heart and blood disease.
Your daily job tasks will include some of the following:
- 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 Virginia
In Virginia, you are allowed to work as an EKG tech even if you don’t have a certification.
Certification, however, is required by most employers.
You will also get a lot more job opportunities once you are nationally certified.
You will have to submit some documents:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be healthy
- Be detail-oriented
- Have good communication skills
- Have an EKG technician certification
EKG Technician Education in Virginia
Firsts of all, you should look for a school that offers EKG training programs that you could join.
What you learn in the program will be helpful when you start working.
EKG training programs are also not long and last for about 4 months on average.
These programs end in a diploma.
While the law doesn’t have any enrollment requirements, schools have their own.
Some of these requirements include:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Over The Age Of 18
- Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
- Negative Hepatitis Test
- Negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
Some schools might accept students that are 16 years old, however, this has to be checked with the school.
Studying in a program means you will join hours of theory as well as practice.
Some of these include the following:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- Pacemakers
The schools that have EKG training programs in Virginia include:
Top 13 Schools in Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare | 2105 East Parham Road #108 Henrico, VA 23228 |
| American Institute of Health Science and Technology | 131 Elden Street Suite #302 Herndon, VA 20170 |
| Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital | 5801 Bremo Road Richmond, VA 23226 |
| Centura College | 7020 North Military Highway Norfolk, VA 23518 |
| Centura College | 616 Denbigh Boulevard Newport News, VA 23608 |
| Centura College | 932 Ventures Way Chesapeake, VA 23320 |
| Eastern Virginia Career College | 10304 Spotsylvania Ave # 400, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 |
| Fast Track Health Care Education | 105 Poplar Avenue Salem, VA 24153 |
| Metropolitan Institute of Health & Technology | 8170 Silverbrook Rd Suite C, Lorton, VA 22079 |
| Metropolitan Institute-Health | 9261 Plaskett Lane Lorton, VA 22079 |
| Norfolk State University | 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, VA 23504 |
| Norfolk State University | 1881 University Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23453 |
| Tidewater Medical Training | 1503 Hardy Cash Drive Hampton, VA 23666 |
EKG Technician Certification in Virginia
You will also have to pass a certification exam after you complete the course and get a diploma.
In Virginia, you can pick one of three different exams.
The available certification tests for EKG techs in Virginia are:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
You will also need to mail some documents so that you can take the exam.
You can mail your EKG diploma and official transcripts from your school.
You will have to prove you have one year of experience over the past 3 years if you didn’t attend a training program.
After you obtain the EKG certification, you need to get it renewed.
This is usually done by taking some hours of additional education.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Virginia
In Virginia, you can find a job in one of the many facilities in this state.
Some of these include:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
If you find a job in a hospital, expect to have an intense workload and schedule.
This often includes working at night or on weekends.
Your salary as an EKG tech in this state depends on whether you are certified, where you live, and your experience.
EKG techs who have experience, reside in a big city or are certified generally earn more compared to the others.
Read below for the EKG tech salaries in the 10 biggest regions of Virginia:
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $37,500 |
| Norfolk | $37,000 |
| Chesapeake | $36,900 |
| Arlington | $43,700 |
| Richmond | $39,200 |
| Newport News | $36,800 |
| Alexandria | $43,700 |
| Hampton | $36,800 |
| Roanoke | $36,300 |
| Portsmouth | $37,000 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VA | 40 | $63,430 | $30.5 | $97,570 | $36,370 |
| Richmond, VA | 190 | $67,400 | $32.41 | $99,390 | $37,960 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 440 | $67,370 | $32.39 | $90,060 | $36,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Virginia
You can easily get the ASET certification if you are looking for extra credentials.
This certification costs $150 and includes:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
You can easily attend the practice on campus and the theory online.
Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
Another certification you can get is the Certified EKG Instructor (CEIs) through the American Society of EKG Technicians.
In order to be eligible for it, you need experience of 5 years in the field.
In addition to meeting the experience criteria, you will also have to complete a background check.
