Trade Schools
Pennsylvania residents who want to start a rewarding career in healthcare without spending years in post-secondary education are invited to read our selection of top EKG technician schools in their state.
Here we will compile information about the curriculum, program duration, tuition costs, admission requirements, and other relevant factors.
Most programs that prepare students for the EKG technician profession cover topics related to:
- Cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Infection control and standard precautions
- Proper machine maintenance
- Electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Communication methods
Programs are also available online and can be completed from the comfort of your home or any other place with an internet connection.
After completing the programs students are ready to sit for national certification exams that qualify them to work in this position anywhere in the United States.
1Penn State Hazleton
About the School
Penn State Hazleton prepares students to earn a degree recognized and valued worldwide.
The college offers 13 bachelor’s degree pathways and five associate degrees and minors.
Non-credit certificates are also available in a wide variety of disciplines.
Courses Offered
The EKG Certification Program at Penn State Hazleton is designed to prepare students to complete and analyze electrocardiographs.
After completing this course students will be eligible to take the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Electrocardiograph Technician exam and/or national certification exams.
This 50-hour EKG technician certification program prepares students for work as EKG Technicians.
Students practice with EKG equipment and perform hands-on labs including introduction to the function and proper use of the EKG machine, the normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement, 12-lead placement, and more.
This program costs $999.
Contact Information
- Address: 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 18202
- Phone: 570-450-3180
- Website: https://hazleton.psu.edu
2American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
The American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians offers an EKG Technician Training program in Philadelphia and at many other locations across the United States.
According to its website, the American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians provides the most cost-effective, user-friendly certification experience available.
Its members have access to highly qualified national certification, and competency-based programs designed to be completed by each student at their own pace.
Courses Offered
The program is comprised of 40 to 80 class hours and 20-40 clinical hours.
Classes typically enroll 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 test
- 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/ekg-certification-canton-michigan
3Community College of Philadelphia
About the School
Community College of Philadelphia offers an EKG Technician program that prepares students for work in physician’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities and organizations.
After completing this program, learners have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam.
The program includes the following outcomes:
- Apply the basic electrophysiologic principles of cardiac conduction
- Proper placement of leads
- Analyze a variety of EKG rhythm strips
- Understand the technical aspects of the EKG machine
- Describe diagnostic electrocardiography
- Explain how to interpret a 12-lead EKG strip
This program costs $1,299
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Phone: 215-751-8000
- Website: https://www.ccp.edu
4Pennco Tech
Pennco Tech offers training programs in Blackwood, New Jersey, and Bristol, Pennsylvania.
The school provides career training programs for in-demand professions in healthcare, automotive, and other fields.
The programs are designed for students who don’t see themselves as attending a traditional college or university and want to prepare for a hands-on trade career.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician program at Pennco Tech prepares students for a variety of responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining testing equipment and supply inventory
- Performing related office administrative tasks
- Conducting best practices according to procedures
- Assisting physicians during procedures
- And more
After completing this program students will have obtained the necessary skills and knowledge to explore various roles for EKG technicians.
Contact Information
- Address: 3815 Otter St, Bristol, PA 19007
- Phone: 215-785-0111
- Website: https://www.penncotech.edu
5AlliedRX Institute of Healthcare
AlliedRX Institute of Healthcare offers interactive learning, board exam prep, patient simulations, and an on-demand virtual tutor.
The programs available at the institute are designed to help students get started with a career in the healthcare field.
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 in Pittsburgh.
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 this ten-week program is $1,350.
A fast-track option that can be completed in five weeks is also available.
Contact Information
- Phone: (866) 348 – 6920
- Website: https://www.alliedrxtraining.com
6Luzerne County Community College
About the School
Luzerne County Community College offers an EKG program that includes 60 hours of training, consisting of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of practical experience conducted in a clinical setting.
The classroom instruction covers the following topics:
- Patient communications
- Confidentiality
- Recording and reporting procedures
- Basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
- Applicable medical terminology
- And more
After completing this program students receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Trailblazer Drive, Nanticoke, PA 18634-3899
- Phone: 800-377-5222
- Website: https://www.luzerne.edu
7Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology
About the School
Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology offers a Certified EKG Technician program and other open-enrollment programs in partnership with ed2go.
This asynchronous course prepares students for employment as EKG techs and teaches the skills needed for the National Healthcareer Association nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
The course is open enrollment.
Students can register and start the course whenever they are ready.
After registration, they have 12 months to complete the course.
Courses Offered
During the duration of this program, students learn:
- Concepts of cardiac anatomy and physiology, infection control, and standard precautions
- Proper machine protocols and maintenance
- Electrocardiography interpretation of various types of EKGs
- Proper communication methods within clinical scenarios
- The theoretical knowledge of an EKG Technician
Students become prepared to take the CET certification from NHA and receive a voucher after completing the course.
This program costs $1,995.
Contact Information
- Address: 908 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/paaudio
8New Jersey City University
About the School
EKG technician programs are also available online at schools and colleges located in neighboring states.
New Jersey City University offers an EKG Technician course in Spanish.
The online program allows students to become certified healthcare professionals at their own pace and within their schedule.
The program is offered with interactive learning modules, 24/7 mentoring, learning exercises, labs, and a student portal.
Tuition for this program is $1,599.
The self-paced course includes six months of access to online content, all ebooks, supplemental content, and related course materials.
Courses Offered
The EKG Technician curriculum covers the following key areas and topics:
- Detailed anatomy and physiology of the heart
- Medical disease processes and terminology
- Electrocardiography and echocardiography
- An introduction to the components, function, and proper use of the EKG machine
- The normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- And more
The requirements for EKG Technicians include having or pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
Several EKG technician national certification exams are available to students.
Contact Information
- Address: 2039 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305
- Website: https://www.njcu.edu
9Berkeley College
About the School
Berkeley College offers an EKG Technician training program that prepares students for careers as Electrocardiogram technicians in a variety of clinical settings.
All topics explored in this program prepare learners for the Certified Electrocardiography Technician certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association, as well as Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.
This is a six-credit program and is offered in a combination of online and onsite instruction.
Learning takes place on campus for the Medical Emergencies and Electrocardiography course.
Credit hours may be applied toward credits for a degree program offered within the College’s School of Health Studies.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following sections:
- Medical Emergencies and Electrocardiography- a 15-week course that includes three credits
- Medical Terminology- a 15-week course that awards three credits.
This program costs $1,550
Contact Information
- Address: 3 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
- Website: https://ce.berkeleycollege.edu
10Borough of Manhattan Community College
A college located in the heart of New York City, Borough of Manhattan Community College enrolls more than 20,000 students in over 50 associate degree programs and more than 9,000 students in adult and continuing education programs.
Courses Offered
Borough of Manhattan Community College offers an EKG Technician Training program that prepares students for careers as vital members of any healthcare team.
The course teaches students how to apply, monitor, and measure electrocardiography tests in a flexible, online learning environment.
After completing the course, students are prepared to take the Certified EKG Technician exam offered by the National Healthcare Association.
The EKG Technician curriculum includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Introduction: EKG Technician
- Ethics, Compliance, and Communication
- Patient Vital Signs
- Electronic Medical Records
- Patient Preparation and Positioning
- Lead Placement and Artifacts
- Fundamentals of EKG Analysis
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
- Phone: (212) 220-8000
- Website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 290 | $64,930 | $31.22 | $93,950 | $38,400 |
| Altoona, PA | 40 | $60,530 | $29.1 | $96,710 | $37,580 |
| Erie, PA | 90 | $48,750 | $23.44 | $75,520 | $30,870 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 250 | $57,240 | $27.52 | $82,230 | $35,920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,340 | $62,970 | $30.28 | $95,640 | $38,420 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 800 | $67,750 | $32.57 | $131,400 | $36,230 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 110 | $68,400 | $32.89 | $127,930 | $35,610 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 120 | $62,460 | $30.03 | $128,320 | $36,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best EKG Technician schools in Pennsylvania the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits you and your learning style, budget, and career aspirations.
Take your time and make sure you gather information about all the relevant factors before making your choice.
