Trade Schools
If you want to start a career in the allied health field, this page is for you.
Here you will find out more about this profession and the training programs that can prepare you for your first job in the field.
As an EKG Technician, you may find employment in hospitals, clinics, as well as private practices.
Your main job task will be to administer electrocardiograms that assist doctors in providing accurate diagnostics.
Most programs that prepare you for work in this field may be completed in only a few months and get you ready for certification exams and entry-level employment.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by cardiovascular technologists in Arkansas was $58,940 as of May 2022.
We invite you to read further and decide if this profession is the right fit for you.
1Arkansas Job Link
About the School
Arkansas Job Link offers an EKG Technician program that includes 48 hours of training.
The program teaches students how to perform routine electrocardiograms and other related skills.
Students learn how to recognize normal and abnormal rhythms, document rhythm strips, administer the EKG, and operate the electrocardiograph machine.
The program is eight weeks long.
In-state total program cost is $1,160 and includes tuition, books, exam fees, and registration fees.
The program is delivered in person.
Daytime and evening hours are available to accommodate different student lifestyles.
Graduates receive industry certification.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 6611, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
- Phone: (479) 424-1176
- Website: https://www.arjoblink.arkansas.gov
2Arkansas State University
About the School
Arkansas State University offers a Certified EKG Technician program that prepares students for careers as EKG Technicians.
The program includes 170 course hours and can be completed in 12 months.
A voucher is included in the cost of the program.
The program costs $2,095.
The program prepares students for the nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
The skills included in this program are:
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control and Standard Precautions
- Proper Machine Protocols and Maintenance
- Electrocardiography Interpretation of Various Types of EKGs
- Proper Communication Methods
The course can be taken on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Applicants should have one of the following:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Take an entrance test
- Previous healthcare experience
Contact Information
- Address: 2105 Aggie Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://ed2go.degree.astate.edu
3American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
About the School
According to its website, the American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians provides the most cost-effective, user-friendly certification experience available.
The members get high-qualified national certification, and competency-based programs designed to be completed at their own pace.
Courses Offered
An EKG Certification program is available in Little Rock.
The program is comprised of 40-48 class hours and 20-40 clinical hours.
Classes typically have between 10-30 students.
To qualify for enrollment, prospective students need:
- High school diploma or GED
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a clean background check
- Negative Hepatitis tes
- Negative TB test
- Immunization records
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion.
Students learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verifying patients identity
- Performing EKG
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining the area and equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1025, Washington D.C. 20006
- Phone: (888) 797-9354
- Website: https://ekgcert.org
4Petra Allied Health
About the School
Among many other allied health programs, Petra Allied Health offers a 48-hour course in Electrocardiograph Technician.
This program teaches students how to perform routine electrocardiograms.
The course also prepares students to recognize normal and abnormal rhythms, document rhythm strips to provide reliable test results, administer the EKG, and operate the electrocardiograph machine.
The program is available at the Springdale and Fort Smith campuses.
Prospective students must be at least 17 years of age to qualify for enrollment in this program.
If under 18, parents must sign the registration form.
The course costs $1,055 in total and includes tuition, textbooks, and a non-refundable registration fee.
Contact Information
- Address: 3889 Willowood Ave, Springdale, AR 72762
- Phone: (800) 785-9876
- Website: https://petraalliedhealth.com
5Arkansas Tech University
About the School
If you want to earn a degree and improve your earning prospects, Arkansas Tech University offers a Cardiac Sonography Associate Degree.
The program is available in a blended format.
The first two semesters in the program consist of in-person, in-class training, and in-person clinical rotations.
The third semester has online classes with in-person clinical rotations.
Clinical rotations can be completed anywhere as long as a contract with a cardiac sonography clinic/hospital can be obtained.
Those who complete the program of study are prepared to enter the healthcare field in cardiac sonography labs as adult cardiac sonographers.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the Registered Cardiac Sonographer exam through Cardiovascular Credentialing International and the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer exam through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Students learn skills such as:
- Anatomy and physiology of the heart
- Cardiac pathology and its effects on the heart
- Resume and cover letter building, interviewing, and electrocardiography
- The ability to optimize images
- And more
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 215 West O Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801
- Phone: (479) 968-0237
- Website: https://www.atu.edu
6AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare
About the School
EKG technician programs are also available online.
AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare offers interactive learning, board exam prep, patient simulations, and an on-demand virtual tutor.
The programs are designed to help students get started with a healthcare career.
Online and on-campus courses are available at the institute.
Among many other allied health programs, AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare offers a fully online EKG Technician program.
The course includes one-on-one mentorship.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician curriculum includes courses on topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Electrocardiography
- EKG Interpretation and Analysis
- Patient Care and Electrode Placement
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance
The course includes:
- 12-month access to online learning content
- Virtual clinical simulations
- Interactive study guides and knowledge assessment
- 3D interactive anatomy simulations
- Virtual EKG patient readings
- Video demonstrations
- Board examination prep and materials
Tuition for the EKG program is $1,350.
Contact Information
- Phone: (866) 348 – 6920
- Website: https://www.alliedrxtraining.com
7Arkansas College of Health Careers
About the School
Arkansas College of Health Careers provides training programs for students who want to become licensed Patient Care Techs, Phlebotomists, Medical Assistants, EKG technicians, and Medical and Clinical Lab technicians.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Being beyond the age of compulsory public school attendance
- Attend an interview with an ACHC School Admissions Representative
- Providing proof of high school diploma or GED
- Providing proof of a social security card
- Providing proof of identification
- Completing a student enrollment agreement
- Receiving approval of acceptance from the director of the school
- Arranging for tuition financing
Courses Offered
Arkansas College of Health Careers provides a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician program.
This program prepares students to be certified through ACHC as an MLT after completing Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography, and Spirometry.
The course can be completed in ten weeks.
The program provides training in electrode placement as well as EKG interpretation.
An Electrocardiology Technician program- a five-week course that teaches students how to operate equipment that measures, monitors, and graphically traces the electrical activity of the heart- is also available at the college.
Students also learn how to recognize abnormal rhythm strips to provide reliable test results.
Contact Information
- Address: 9714 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Phone: (501) 319-7573
- Website: https://achc.us
8St. Ambrose University
About the School
Among many other career paths, St. Ambrose University offers an online EKG Technician Certificate Program.
Students enrolled in this program prepare to play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring cardiac conditions.
The program offers a flexible online learning environment designed to be completed in less than 12 months.
Students attend classes 15 to 20 hours per week.
Tuition for this program is $2,000.
The program covers medical terminology and disease processes that affect the heart and patient’s health.
Students who complete the program are prepared to explain procedures to patients, monitor blood pressure, properly position patients for an EKG scan, apply Holter monitors, and assist cardiologists with stress testing.
The program prepares students for certification through the National Healthcareer Association as a Certified EKG Technician.
Students have flexible scheduling options, allowing them to balance their studies with personal commitments.
Contact Information
- Address: 518 W Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803
- Phone: 877-462-0521
- Website: https://workforce.sau.edu
9Gateway Allied Health
Gateway is an allied health school in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The school is licensed and regulated by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and accredited through American Allied Health.
Courses Offered
The Electrocardiograph Technician program at Gateway Allied Health is a 68-hour course that includes 48 hours of classroom/lab time and 20 hours of externship.
Students learn to operate equipment that measures, monitors, and graphically traces the electrical activity of the heart.
After completing the program students may be prepared for tasks such as:
- Attaching electrodes to the patient’s chest, arms, and legs
- Monitoring the readings
- Checking the quality of the recorded data
- Keeping equipment in good working order
- Scanning EKG report into EHR after physician’s interpretation
- Helping other technologists and physicians
After completing the course, students are prepared and eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam through American Allied Health.
Contact Information
- Address: 174 Cornerstone Court, Ste C, Hot Springs, AR, 71913
- Phone: 501.521.2022
- Website: https://gatewayalliedhealth.com
10Mississippi State University
About the School
You can also prepare for a career in this profession by attending an online program offered by a school located in another state.
Mississippi State University offers an EKG Technician program that includes 224 course hours through its Center for Continuing Education.
This program costs $2,799.
EKG Technician students prepare for work in hospitals, clinics, cardiac centers, and private practices.
Students who complete advanced training programs receive a certificate of completion from the MSU Center for Continuing Education.
The program is available in partnership with CareerStep.
The online program comes with all the learning content and exercises they need to be prepared to get certified and ready for work at a hospital or clinic near them.
MSU Center for Continuing Education offers a wide range of advanced career training programs where students can interact and learn with their peers while connecting with expert instructors.
EKG training courses are also available as part of the Patient Care Technician and Medical Assistant training programs offered by Mississippi State University.
Contact Information
- Address: 365 Barr Ave/P.O. Box 5441, Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Phone: (662) 325-5002
- Website: https://ce.extension.msstate.edu
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 70 | $66,300 | $31.88 | $92,800 | $36,050 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 120 | $53,920 | $25.92 | $79,400 | $29,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best EKG Technicians schools in Arkansas it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
Make sure and make sure you gather information about all the factors that are relevant for you in this process.
