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EKG technicians play a vital role in helping doctors to diagnose their patients with various heart and lung conditions.
You would be responsible for conducting EKGs and other tests, monitoring the readings, and reporting on the results.
Understanding how to get started as an EKG technician in Illinois can help you decide if it is the desired career path and ensure you are actively in the medical field in no time at all.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Illinois
Licensing requirements are relatively simple when you want to become an EKG technician in Illinois.
- Show that you are at least 18 years of age
- Have a negative TB and HIV test
- Pass a background check (no felonies)
- Obtain a high school diploma or GED
After that, complete either an EKG Technician program at an approved school or have at least one year of experience in the medical field.
Finally, sit for the certification exam from NHA.
There are 100 questions, and you will need to pay for the test, which is offered by various testing facilities.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Illinois
A variety of EKG technician schools and programs are available in Illinois.
You will want to explore them based on tuition cost, course offerings, and schedule options.
Some programs are offered online while others are offered on specific campuses.
TTI Medical School
TTI offers a variety of career programs including Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and EKG Technician.
You can choose to take a single program or a combo to add more skills to your resume.
The TTI school offers locations in Chicago and Hickory Hills.
The EKG Technician program is offered in the evenings.
You will receive a certificate at the end of the program, which will allow you to take the NHA CET certification exam so that you can become certified/licensed.
The total for the course is $2350 and includes books, fees, and the certification exam.
Chicago School of Phlebotomy
The Chicago School of Phlebotomy, located in Chicago, offers a number of courses, including one for EKG Technician.
They offer a revolving start date for the six-week course, which is taken on-site.
The curriculum of the program includes everything from cardiac anatomy to electrical conduction in the heart.
There are lectures, skill labs, and a book provided for reference.
The total cost of the EKG Technician program is $800, and the school does offer payment plans.
Jethro Healthcare School
The EKG Technician course is available at Jethro Healthcare, which is located in Des Plaines, IL.
The six-week course is offered on Saturdays.
You will be able to attend lectures as well as labs in order to get a comprehensive education about the diagnostic tests and anatomy of the heart.
The cost of the program is $990 with installment payments available.
Upon completion of the program and passing the certification exam, the school will also help with career placement.
EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center
The EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center offers an EKG Technician course in Naperville.
The course is offered over the span of four weeks, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon.
The cost of the tuition can vary based on the schedule being offered at the time.
There are also various fees that need to be paid, including a background check conducted by the school, which is $45.
Elm Outreach Training Center
The Elm Outreach Training Center offers various courses at their Homewood, IL campus.
The EKG Technician course is comprised of a total of 100 clock hours and there are several schedules available, which can take up to 14 weeks to complete.
The cost of tuition varies as they do offer financial aid based on when donated funds are available.
Additionally, job placement assistance is offered upon completion of the course.
EKG Technician Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| TTI Medical School | 5310 N Harlem Ave #209, Chicago, IL 60656 |
| Chicago School of Phlebotomy | 932 N Wright St #168, Naperville, IL 60563 |
| Jethro Healthcare School | 650 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
| EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center | 500 E Ogden Ave Ste 208, Naperville, IL 60563 |
| Elm Outreach Training Center | 1820 Ridge Rd Ste 304, Homewood, IL 60430 |
Salary
EKG technicians in the U.S. can earn an average of $35,800 to $46,700.
Some will make more or less depending on their years of experience, education, certification, and even additional skills and responsibilities on the job.
The average EKG technician in Chicago will earn $42,800.
It is important to explore the opportunities that exist around the state and confirm that you know what the average compensation is based on the skillset that you have as well as whether there are people who report to you or not.
Often, it is about negotiating the best salary.
If you are in the 90th percentile for your salary, you can expect to earn around $55,600.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $42,800 |
| Rockford | $39,700 |
| Aurora | $42,400 |
| Naperville | $42,000 |
| Peoria | $39,000 |
| Springfield | $37,200 |
| Joliet | $41,700 |
| Elgin | $42,100 |
| Waukegan | $40,400 |
| Cicero | $42,800 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 90 | $64,630 | $31.07 | $92,780 | $35,280 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 1,500 | $67,750 | $32.57 | $99,930 | $37,970 |
| Kankakee, IL | 30 | $60,000 | $28.84 | $89,560 | $37,260 |
| Peoria, IL | 150 | $57,640 | $27.71 | $99,270 | $34,950 |
| Rockford, IL | 60 | $68,960 | $33.15 | $94,240 | $35,230 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities hold the most career opportunities for EKG techs in Illinois?
Some of the top cities to explore a career as an EKG tech in Illinois include Chicago, Peoria, Naperville, Arlington Heights, and Springfield.
Areas with more medical facilities are more likely to be competitive with salaries.
How do I get recertified as an EKG technician in Illinois?
Becoming recertified in Illinois is a simple process.
You will need to provide two things: proof of completing your continuing education credits and proof of completing (and passing) your recertification exam).
This process will occur every two years so that you can maintain your EKG tech certification in the state.
Who are some of the top employers in Illinois?
There are quite a few top health care companies in Illinois.
Once you are certified as an EKG technician, you might want to consider exploring such companies as Rush University Medical Center, UnitedHealth Group, Abbott, or GE Healthcare.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State