About This Program
Our 4-week EKG Technician program covers everything needed to operate cardiac monitoring equipment in hospital and clinical settings. Students learn correct 12-lead electrode placement, cardiac rhythm interpretation, Holter monitor setup, and stress test support. The program prepares graduates to sit for the NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam, which is recognized by cardiac care units, emergency departments, and outpatient cardiology practices throughout Rhode Island.
What You'll Learn
- 12-lead EKG acquisition: anatomically correct electrode placement for all standard limb leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF) and precordial leads (V1–V6)
- Normal cardiac rhythm interpretation: sinus rhythm identification, rate calculation, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and axis estimation
- Arrhythmia recognition: atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, PVCs, PACs, heart blocks (1st, 2nd Mobitz I/II, 3rd degree), and ST-segment changes
- Holter and ambulatory cardiac event monitor: application, patient education, diary instruction, and data transmission/retrieval
- Stress test (exercise tolerance test) support: patient preparation, monitoring during treadmill or pharmacologic stress, and emergency endpoint recognition
- EKG artifact identification: patient movement artifact, poor electrode contact, lead reversal, 60-cycle interference, and corrective troubleshooting
- Cardiac equipment maintenance: gel and paper supply management, machine calibration, device cleaning per infection control standards
Program Outcomes
- Credential: NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) — National Healthcareer Association, upon passing the NHA CET national exam
- Eligible employers: cardiac care units (CCU/PCU), emergency departments, cardiology offices, cardiac catheterization labs, and outpatient stress test centers
- Estimated RI starting wage: $17–$22/hr
- CET certification stacks with the NHA CPT (Phlebotomy) to meet the cardiac monitoring + blood draw requirements for hospital PCT positions
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