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EKG technicians aid doctors in uncovering and treating heart-related conditions using advanced EKG equipment.
Like an EKG, your average daily responsibilities include explaining procedures and evaluating patients, maintaining your equipment and area, performing EKG testing, preparing test results for the doctor to review, and verifying the patient’s identity to ensure the proper paperwork can be issued.
In Colorado, demand for EKG technicians continues to grow, so for those looking to get into an entry-level position within the medical field, this could be an excellent career path.
To learn more about how to become an EKG technician in Colorado, keep reading!
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Colorado
Like many other states, no specific licensure or any other certifications are required by the State of Colorado.
That means you are not required to take a training course, pass any tests, or earn a certification.
However, most employers require an EKG technician training program and certification, which is a promising idea to make yourself more marketable.
To become certified, you must first take a training program, which can be completed in as little as four months.
Numerous schools around the state offer this type of training (read below).
To be eligible for the training program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Once you complete the EKG training program at an accredited school, you are eligible to take the three exams required to become a certified EKG technician.
These three exams include ASET, ASPT, and NHA Certified EKG Technician exam.
If you pass these three exams, then you will become certified.
While not required by the state, the reason employers may require certification is to validate that you learned the job-related material and that you have a good learning capacity.
Since you must recertify every few years by taking additional training classes, employers want to know that you are worth the educational investment.
Once you have completed the required training and testing then you can find employment in clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and a variety of other healthcare facilities.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Colorado
Several schools offer EKG technician training or similar imaging in Colorado, including:
Colorado State University
The Colorado State University EKG program can be completed in as little as six months and costs around $2,400 for the entire program.
This tuition fee comes with a voucher for the CETS (Certified EKG Technician Specialist) exam or the CET (Certified EKG Technician) exam.
This comprehensive course will teach you how to apply, measure, and monitor electrocardiography tests within an online and flexible learning environment.
Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College has an electrocardiogram certificate that can be earned from their Westminster and For Collins campuses.
In this program, students learn the basics and advanced techniques on how to administer and read EKGs within a healthcare setting.
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo Community College offers an associate’s in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, which is a two-year program that covers a variety of cardiac and vascular imaging studies.
Students learn techniques for patient education and care, how to analyze images for quality, and how to operate and maintain complicated medical imaging equipment.
Red Rocks Community College
At the Arvada Campus, students can earn an associate’s in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, which takes five semesters to complete and includes clinical internships at local clinics and hospitals.
Current sonographers can also earn a certificate in echocardiography for an extra nine credits.
Wagner College
The EKG Technician Certificate offered by Wagner College is a detailed 50-hour program that prepares students to become EKG technicians.
The training includes critical information on the anatomy of the heart, medical diseases and terminology, medical ethics, and other legal aspects, the Holter monitor, echocardiography, and electrocardiography.
Students are also required to perform hands-on lab training within a clinic.
The cost of tuition is $1,200 and prepares students to sit for the certification exams.
EKG Technician Schools in Colorado – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO 80523 |
| Front Range Community College | 3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031 |
| Pueblo Community College | 900 W Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004 |
| Red Rocks Community College | 13300 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228 |
| Wagner College | 1 Campus Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301 |
Salary
The median U.S. income for an EKG technician is around $40,000 per year with pay ranging from $32,000 to $53,000.
In Denver, Colorado’s biggest city, the median EKG technician salary is exactly on par with the national income median and range.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $40,800 |
| Colorado Springs | $40,200 |
| Aurora | $40,800 |
| Lake City | $38,400 |
| Fort Collins | $39,300 |
| Arvada | $40,800 |
| Pueblo | $37,400 |
| Westminster | $40,800 |
| Boulder | $41,300 |
| Thornton | $40,800 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 50 | $87,390 | $42.02 | $106,310 | $47,440 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 60 | $77,910 | $37.46 | $103,670 | $38,790 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 380 | $81,090 | $38.99 | $107,800 | $39,320 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 40 | $60,670 | $29.17 | $90,020 | $30,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Source
https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/ekg-technician/ekg-technician-colorado/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost to take the ASET certification in Colorado?
You must pay $150 for this certification and the fee includes three certification exam attempts, unlimited practice exams, a full study guide, and the ability to use a certified EKG technician on your resume once you pass.
The entire process can be conveniently completed online.
What is the average amount of time to become an EKG technician in Colorado?
Training programs can be completed in as little as four months and offer you all the tools necessary to complete the certification exams.
Most employers offer on-the-job training programs that are specific to the equipment in the facility.
This typically takes between four to six weeks to master.
Is becoming an EKG technician in Colorado a good career?
Certified EKG technicians have some of the best job opportunities in the healthcare industry and are generally happy with their roles.
While the entry-level pay is low, there are countless opportunities for advancement and many EKG techs enjoy that they are helping find cardiovascular issues before they progress into worse ailments.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State