Become an Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician

The Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician (HLSC 112) is a course that prepares individuals for entry level employment opportunities as an EKG Technician.  The course focuses on the basic principles of performing and recording electrocardiograms in the medical office or acute care clinical setting.

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Course Description

Preparation to become an EKG technician, including cardiac monitoring, administering cardiac tests, analyzing rhythms, and processing tests. Practice in the use of the EKG machine and perform hands-on labs. Successful completion of this course will qualify the student for the national EKG certification examination and work as an entry-level EKG technician. Pass/No Pass grading. Total of 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.

Course Length

The Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician (HLSC 112) is a 3 unit (pass/no pass) course.

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Course Completion

Upon completion of the EKG course you will receive a Certificate of Course Completion and will be prepared to work as an entry-level EKG technician and take the ASPT-Electrocardiography Technician exam and the National EKG Technician Certification exam.

What is an EKG Technician?

An EKG Technician, is a healthcare worker who works in a clinical setting and performs the following functions: cardiac monitoring, administrating cardiac tests, analyzing cardiac rhythms, and recording cardiac activity of patients used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

EKG Technicians perform tasks in the general care of hospital, clinic, and other ambulatory care settings.  EKG Technicians work directly under the supervision of other licensed medical personnel and perform services that require less training, therefore, freeing the more advanced skilled staff to perform more specialized duties.  Typical services and responsibilities of an EKG Technician include:

• Performing electrocardiograms
• Recognizing abnormal heart rhythms
• Assisting with cardiac monitoring
• Ensuring appropriate lead placement when performing electrocardiograms
• Entering patient data into electronic health record or other patient data system

Application Process

Application Dates:

The online application for the EKG Technician course will be available during the application cycle. The application cycle will close when enough candidates to fill the section(s) have been selected.  It is important to read through all of the information prior to applying.

Application Dates:

• February 20 - March 10: applicants who apply during this application cycle will begin the course in the Summer Intersession, if selected.
• June 15 - July 1: applicants who apply during this application cycle will begin the course in the Fall semester, if selected.
• October 1 - October 20: applicants who apply during this application cycle will begin the course in the Winter Intersession, if selected.
• November 1- November 15: applicants who apply during this application cycle will begin the course in the Spring semester, if selected.

Note: Applicants must be 18 years or older, provide proof of U.S. High School graduation, GED or Foreign Equivalency Report (requires translation). EKG Technician course clinical sites require anyone assisting with the provision of care within their facility or completing clinical rotations to be 18 years or older.  In order to successfully complete the EKG Technician course, you must complete both the theory and clinical components of the course.

Follow the steps below to be eligible for the course:

Step #1

Apply and be admitted to Pasadena City College. Upon admission to the college, you will be assigned a PCC Student ID number and a PCC student email account.  You will need these to complete the EKG Technician Program application.

Submit an EKG Technician Program application online via the PCC website.  A complete application includes all information on the application filled out.

Step #2

Applicants will be sent a secure link via email to their PCC Lancer email account (@pasadena.edu) with instructions on how to submit the following required documents:

• United States High School (or GED or Foreign Equivalency) transcripts must be official transcripts that you have opened, scanned, saved as a PDF file and uploaded with your EKG Technician application.  Label the transcripts "High School Transcripts". A copy of your high school diploma will not be accepted.  Once you have opened your official transcripts, keep this set for your own personal records.
• United States Veterans must also submit a PDF file of their DD214 with the application. Name the file "DD214"
• Spouses of U.S. Veterans must include a PDF file of the marriage license and DD214. Name the file "Marriage License". the DD214 should be saved as a separate PDF file labeled "DD214".

Once the application period has closed, the secure link will no longer accept documents.

Follow these basic directions for scanning documents to create PDF files:

• Open the sealed official High School transcript(s) that you will be uploading to the secure link
• Scan the official transcripts using a device such as a printer or scanner
• Follow the scanner manufacturers directions to scan each document to your computer or USB drive
• Select the PDF file format option before scanning. Only PDF files of your transcripts and other supporting documents will be accepted. Formats such as JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIF, screenshot, word documents, etc. will not be accepted for the application process.
• Save your PDF document to a folder in a location on your computer or removable drive that you can easily access (Desktop or Documents folder is suggested)

NOTE: Students who do not have access to a personal scanner may choose to use a commercial copying center to have their required documents scanned and made into PDFs that then may be uploaded as part of your application.

Follow these basic directions for uploading documents to your online application:

• Open the secure link emailed to your PCC Lancer email
• Find the PDF files you want to upload from your computer or flash drive
• Select the file by double clicking on it (tap twice)
• Your file will be uploaded

After you have submitted your application and have downloaded your required transcripts through the secure link, you will be sent forms and instructions on how to complete Step #3 to your Pasadena City College email account.

Step #3: Do not complete these steps until you have received an email from Pasadena City College with links to the forms below.

• Obtain an American Heart Association CPR/Basic Live Support card.  Only American Heart Association CPR cards will be accepted. https://cpr.heart.org/en
• Complete the Health Sciences EKG Health Requirements form
• Complete a Background check - more information to follow

Step #4

Return as a completed packet the documents listed below. These items must be scanned and saved as PDF files.  Formats such as JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIF, screenshot, word documents, etc. will not be accepted.  Applicants will be sent an email address to send the packet of completed documents.

• American Heart Association CPR verification. Must show an expiration date. Label the PDF file "CPR"
• Proof of a Completed Background Check
• Copy of the completed Health Sciences EKG Technician Health Requirements form.  Make sure you have signed and dated the form. Some of the vaccinations may be in progress. You must have completed at least the first vaccination if it is a series of vaccinations.  Label the PDF file "Health Requirements"

Keep copies of all your documents for your own personal records. The Health Sciences Division cannot make copies for you.

Health Requirements Overview

The Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician course requires the following health requirements:

• Titers for Rubella, Rubeola, Mumps, Varicella.  For measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, quantitative protective titers are required within 12 months of the first day of each ear of training unless otherwise specified.  If titers are non-protective, a booster vaccine and a follow-up titer will be required.  This requirement may exceed the CDC guidelines for Healthcare Personnel (HCP) workers.
• 10 Drug abuse panel urine screening.
• Immunization dates for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Td (tetanus/diphtheria), Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B, Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), Influenza, Covid 19.
• TB (tuberculosis screening is required. Clinical sites will only accept IGRA testing, completed within 12 months of the first day of each training year unless otherwise specified.
• Physical examination completed within the last 6 months of entrance to the course. Must be able to perform the basic physical requirements of the entry level position including: stooping, lifting 23-35 pounds, pulling, standing, walking, practicing proper body mechanics, pushing occupied beds, wheelchairs or gurneys, turning and ambulating patients, manipulating small equipment.
• Have good physical and mental health

A Health Requirements form will be given to qualified applicants if conditionally accepted to begin the course.

The health requirements may take 3-5 weeks to complete with several office visits required. The PCC Student Health Services Office offers low cost medical services for enrolled students.

Selection Process

Students who complete Step #1 and Step #2 will be randomly selected for a conditional seat in the course.  Students who are randomly selected will be sent an email with the necessary forms and documents that must be completed by a deadline date (see Step 2 and Step 3).  Applicants who complete the required documents by the deadline will be given permission to register for the course. Failure to complete the required documentation means you will not be able to register for the course.

Registration Process

Students will be cleared to register for the EKG Technician course after completing steps 1-4 above by the Health Sciences Division Office and the required documentation has been verified as complete. The EKG course is limited to 15 students per section. The first students to complete all required documentation will be sent an email notifying them to register for the course.

All applicants will be notified of their status prior to the start of class by email.  Additionally, non-selected applicants will be notified when the class is full.

Course Completion

Upon successful completion of the EKG Technician course, students will be awarded a Certificate of Course Completion and be prepared to take the ASPT-Electrocardiography Technician exam and the National EKG Technician Certification exam for a fee.

Estimated Cost of the Program

Prices subject to change.

Estimated total cost =$932.00

Health Screening from PCC Student Health Services (costs will be higher in other settings:

• Administrative Fee for services - 13.00
• Lab work - 50.00
• Hepatitis B vaccine - 37.00
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine - 53.00
• Tdap - 41.00
• Varicella vaccine - 85.00
• Physical exam - 25.00

Uniform (per set) 2 sets are recommended - 120.00

Shoes - 150.00

Name Badge - 12.00

PCC Patch - 5.00

Tuition - 46.00/unit (for California resident)

Corporate Screening for Background check - 30.00

CPR Card - American Heart Association only 65.00

Textbooks - 100.00

Parking (per semester includes campus and clinical sites - 100.00

Transcript Evaluation

If you are a student with foreign high school transcripts, you must have your transcripts evaluated by one of the following three companies before applying. Evaluations will only be accepted from the companies listed below. A detailed/comprehensive report that confirms you have met the equivalent requirements for graduation from a U.S. High School is needed.

International Research Foundation (IERF)
(310)-258-9451 | www.ierf.org

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI)
(310)-275-3530 | http://www.acei-global.org/application-for-evaluation

American Education Research Center (AERC)
(626)-339-4404 | www.aerc-eval.com