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If you are looking to enter the healthcare field, becoming an EKG technician is an excellent place to get your foot in the door.
As an EKG tech, your primary responsibilities are to assist doctors in diagnosing and providing treatment to patients with various heart issues.
Your daily duties include evaluating patients and explaining the procedures, maintaining the equipment and your work area, performing the EKG, point of care testing, preparing results, and verifying the patient’s information.
If this sounds like a career that fulfills your employment needs and goals, then keep reading to learn more!
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Nebraska
Although Nebraska law does not require an EKG certification to find employment, most employers expect applicants to have the training and national certification.
In addition to opening more job opportunities, certification will also get you hired faster.
Below is the general certification process:
1. Prepare Documents
The first step in this process is to prepare various documents to apply for a training program.
These generally include proof of residence, some background information, and proof of a high school diploma or equivalent.
A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for becoming an EKG technician.
Although also not required by the state, no training program or future employer will hire you without this documentation.
2. Find and Complete a Training Program
Once you have all documentation; you must apply for an EKG training program to provide the knowledge for certification.
Training programs last between four months and one year, depending on the comprehensiveness of the information.
You will receive a diploma at the end of the program which is critical for finding future employment.
3. Pass the Certification Exam
Once you complete the training program, you have all the tools and knowledge to begin taking the national certification tests.
Three examinations are available, including:
- ASET – American society of EKG technicians exam
- ASPT – electrocardiograph technician exam
- NHA – Certified EKG technician exam
This process requires sending documentation including your official school transcripts along with your EKG diploma.
It is important to note that you can take these exams without having a diploma, but it will be difficult to pass and even more challenging to find employment.
4. Find Employment
EKG techs can work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, physician’s offices, and various other healthcare facilities.
Therefore, before searching for a job, you want to determine which environment fits you best – the fast-paced hospital setting or the slower-paced physician’s office.
From this point, you can start looking for jobs at different facilities in your area.
Some training programs even help you find employment.
5. Continued Education
Once you have found a position in a setting you enjoy, to remain certified, you must take 10 continuing education credit hours, to ensure your skills remain updated.
This is a common requirement within the healthcare industry.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Nebraska
While potential students have access to many schools in Nebraska and online, these are five of the most popular:
MedCerts
The MedCerts program is a completely online EKG tech training program with course topics that include electrocardiography, human anatomy, and medical terminology.
The training is comprised of 12 elements of eLearning and job placement support post-graduation.
Tuition for this program costs $2,000 and includes all materials.
Preppy
Preppy is an online trade school that has partnered with Auburn University, is accredited, and offers an EKG tech training program.
Preppy’s program can be completed within a six-month timeframe and prepares students for all three certification exams.
The program costs around $600 and the school offers a payment plan of only $99 per month.
Southeast Community College
This community college EKG tech program defines the role, describes the state requirements to practice along with legal and ethical issues, fosters customer service skills, teaches students how to maintain a sterile and safe environment, and reviews anatomy and basic electrophysiology.
With locations in Beatrice, Lincoln, and Milford, NE, students have several on-site opportunities.
This program will cost around $1,200 and can be completed in around one year.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
This six-month program will cost you around $2,000 but includes a voucher for the national certification exam.
Students can take this program in person or in an online learning environment to maximize flexibility.
The purpose of this program is to provide in-depth knowledge about the EKG tech role and prepare students for the certification exams.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
For those looking for a more robust diploma, the University of Nebraska Medical Center offers a bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in medical imaging and therapeutic sciences.
The bachelor’s degree is a four-year program, while the certificate is around one year.
To acquire this degree or certificate, students must complete all courses within each curriculum.
EKG Technician Schools in Nebraska – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| MedCerts | 14143 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 |
| Preppy | |
| Southeast Community College | 8800 O St, Lincoln, NE 68520 |
| The University of Nebraska at Omaha | 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68182 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | 42nd and, Emile St, Omaha, NE 68198 |
Salary
The median national income for an EKG tech is around $40,000 per year with a range of $32,000 to $53,000, depending on experience and location.
In Nebraska, the median pay range is slightly lower at $38,000 annual, with a range of $30,000 to $50,000.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $38,200 |
| Lincoln | $38,100 |
| Bellevue | $38,200 |
| Grand Island | $37,500 |
| Kearney | $37,500 |
| Fremont | $37,700 |
| Hastings | $37,500 |
| North Platte | $36,400 |
| Norfolk | $34,100 |
| Columbus | $37,500 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 50 | $47,280 | $22.73 | $80,160 | $31,630 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 120 | $55,590 | $26.73 | $81,700 | $35,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the general requirements for an EKG tech training program in Nebraska?
The most common requirements to be accepted into a program include a high school diploma or equivalent must be over 18 years old, proof of citizenship and residence, clean background without felonies, and immunization records.
What are some of the classes in a Nebraska-based training program?
Most Nebraska training programs teach anatomy of the chest, echocardiography, electrocardiography, ethics, heart anatomy, medical disease processes, medical terminology, and pacemakers.
How much does the national certification exam cost?
The exam costs $117 every time you take it, so there is a financial benefit to being successful on the first try.
Also, students register and pay for the exam after completing their training program.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State