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Everyone has their own stories that lead them to where they are today.
Perhaps your next health career step involves learning how to become an EKG Technician (a.k.a. ECG Technician) in Mississippi, which will train you how to interpret heart monitoring results.
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Licensing Requirements to Become In Mississippi
The state of Mississippi does not require EKG technician licensing through them.
However, the state may require you to work under a nurse, who would watch over you, before you earn a relevant certificate.
Concerning EKG Tech certificates, you have several credentialing options if you want to become employment ready for hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics or nursing homes, and assisted living centers.
Mississippi EKG Technician Certificates
When seeking information about EKG Technician certifications, you might also notice the “ECG” abbreviation.
Several sources, including Medline Plus, indicate that the EKG spelling originates from the German spelling of “elektrokardiogramm.”
It is what we call “electrocardiogram” in English – the same thing.
One association that serves all states, including Mississippi offers an ECG Technician certification.
You obtain this through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) while enrolled in a training program approved by this association.
Other available certificates: The Certified EKG Technician (CET) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Certified Electrocardiograph Technician (CET) offered by the National Performance Specialists (NPS).
Even more EKG/ECG Tech certifications come from the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
5 EKG Technician Schools in Mississippi
Not all schools prepare you for the same exams, so keep that in mind before you decide from what association you will acquire your certificates.
It is best to stay with one certification association unless you’ve earned all the relevant credentials your chosen association provides.
1. Mississippi State University Extension
Your enrollment in the certificate EKG Technician program provides you with 375 hours of classroom training plus about 20 hours of clinical experience.
This program takes about a year to complete, depending on how much free time you have.
You have the option to learn at your own pace and seek one-on-one human support.
You will build a foundation in all heart-related topics while in this certificate program, including medical terms and parts of the cardiovascular system.
In addition, you will become proficient in monitoring human heart activity with EKG machines.
2. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers a 48-hour continuing education course.
Through this hybrid in-person and online training program, you will learn how to interpret machine readings that record the heart’s electrical impulses.
This training will prepare you for the NCCT ECG Technician exam, and it also provides you with information on legal issues and ethics related to the medical field.
Your Gulf Coast training also will teach you physiology and anatomy pertaining to the cardiovascular system, especially the heart.
In addition, this instruction will teach you the fundamentals of stress testing and the identification of heart conditions that people may suffer.
You will also receive chances to practice in work settings under the direction of a certified EKG Technician.
This training will prepare you to take the NHA CET certification exam.
3. Coahoma Community College
Coahoma Community College provides Electrocardiography Certificate training that lasts eight weeks.
This includes 34 hours of classroom instruction, 15 hours of lab experience, and 15 hours of clinical time.
It is a basic cardiography course that prepares you for earning one of the certificates offered by CCI.
This instruction helps both new trainees and experienced medical employees update their medical assisting skills.
4. SuperiorCare Medical Academy
One health career training program Superior Car offers include the instruction you need to become an EKG Technician.
This certificate track lasts about six weeks and totals about 48 hours of classroom work.
Learn about heart rhythms and how they translate into machine readings and learn both Holter monitoring and stress testing.
This course will prepare you for the NHA CET exam.
5. Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College hosts the Cardiovascular Technology program.
After taking this training, you will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.
What’s more, this coursework prepares you for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) certification provided by CCI.
By the time you are ready to take the RCIS exam, you will have learned both non-invasive and invasive cardiovascular testing methods.
EKG Technician Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Mississippi State University Extension | 75 B. S. Hood Rd, Mississippi State, MS 39762 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | 51 Main St, Perkinston, MS 39573 |
| Coahoma Community College | Coahoma AHS Building #3, 3240 Friars Point Rd, Clarksdale, MS 38614, |
| SuperiorCare Medical Academy | 204 Stateline Rd W, Southaven, MS 38671 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | 4975 US-51, Senatobia, MS 38668 |
Salary
You can make a yearly income of $35,300 as an EKG Technician in Mississippi when employed in an entry-level position.
You may earn at least a few thousand dollars per year less than an assistant before you acquire your first certificate.
Cities, where you can apply for jobs in this state, include Tupelo, Hamilton, Gulfport, and Jackson.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $36,200 |
| Gulfport | $35,600 |
| Biloxi | $35,900 |
| Hattiesburg | $35,300 |
| Greenville | $36,000 |
| Meridian | $35,900 |
| Tupelo | $34,100 |
| Southaven | $37,400 |
| Vicksburg | $35,800 |
| Pascagoula | $35,600 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 80 | $53,000 | $25.48 | $64,210 | $29,590 |
| Jackson, MS | 100 | $47,280 | $22.73 | $78,120 | $23,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a Mississippi EKG Technician?
To become a Mississippi EKG Technician, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
In addition, you need post-secondary classroom training and clinical experience.
Your hands-on training usually comes with your employment at a hospital or clinic where you would assist a certified EKG Tech until you have received your own certificate.
How long does EKG Tech training take in Mississippi?
Some EKG Tech courses only take about six weeks, but that depends on how much experience you have.
Advanced EKG training may take you from four months to at least two years.
For instance, you maybe want to work past just acquiring your EKG Tech certification and become a Medical Assistant or a Cardiology assistant.
Both of these professional roles may require at least an associate’s degree, which takes two years.
What career outlook can I expect for a MS EKG Tech?
Job growth within the Medical Sonographer, Cardiovascular Technologists, and Technicians category may reach 14% by 2030.
An average of 12,000 new positions per year may become open within the 10-year period from 2020 to 2030.
Some positions require EKG testing experience.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State