Trade Schools
To become a Certified EKG Technician students must take technology courses and pass the CET exam.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists in Virginia is $72,860.
Salaries vary depending on location, employer, education, and experience level, among other factors.
Learning how to perform EKGs can be the first step towards a rewarding career in the healthcare field.
The skills needed for this profession can be learned at many community colleges and technical schools, both in person and online.
To help you choose the format and the provider that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page we have compiled information about the best EKG technician schools in Virginia.
During their training, EKG technician students learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining the procedures
- Verifying patients identity
- Performing EKGs
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
Classes are available as stand-alone EKG technician programs that can be completed in only a few weeks or as part of longer medical assisting programs that take up to one year to complete.
1Virginia Peninsula Community College
About the School
Virginia Peninsula Community College offers an EKG Technician- Workforce Credential program.
Students enrolled in this program gain 70 hours of classroom instruction designed to help them acquire a strong understanding of electrocardiography.
During the ten weeks of training, students gain exposure to job duties that include:
- Unit operation and troubleshooting
- Lead placement
- Use and understanding of EKG grid paper
- Recognizing EKG patterns in all 12 leads
- Plotting the EKG axis
- And many other skills
There are no minimum state requirements for enrollment.
Students should be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or equivalent
Contact Information
- Address: 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
- Phone: (757) 253-4755
- Website: https://www.vpcc.edu
2Piedmont Virginia Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College offers an EKG Technician program that provides students with the knowledge and skills to administer cardiac tests in a medical office or hospital.
Courses Offered
The topics covered by this program include:
- Cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Disease processes
- Taking and documenting vital signs
- Principles of electrocardiography
- Monitoring and stress testing
- Ethics and the legal aspects of health care
- Professional workplace behavior
During this program, students gain hands-on experience in EKG equipment setup, proper 12-lead placement, conducting and interpreting EKGs, applying Holter monitors, and other clinical practices.
They must successfully complete ten EKGs to demonstrate skill competency.
Contact Information
- Address: 501 College Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Phone: 434.977.3900
- Website: https://www.pvcc.edu
3American Institute of Health Science & Technology
About the School
The EKG Technician training program at the American Institute of Health Science & Technology is designed to be completed in 12 weeks.
The school is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
This program aims to prepare students for entry-level positions as electrocardiogram technicians.
Graduates are eligible for certification as EKG technicians after successfully completing the appropriate certification exam.
EKG technicians can perform or assist with electrocardiograms, cardiac catheter exams, lung function, lung capacity, and similar tests.
American Institute of Health Science & Technology is located in Springfield.
Contact Information
- Address: 6800 Backlick Road, Suite 203, Springfield, VA 22150
- Phone: 703-817-2968
- Website: https://aihstusa.com
4American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians
About the School
The American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians offers EKG Technician programs for students at many locations in the United States, including Richmond, Virginia.
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
This EKG Technician program is comprised of 40-80 class hours and 20-40 clinical hours.
EKG technician classes typically have between 10 and 30 students.
To qualify for enrollment, prospective students need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a clean background check
- Provide a negative Hepatitis test
- Provide a negative TB test
- Immunization records
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion.
Students learn how to complete the following tasks:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verifying patients’ identity
- Performing EKGs
- Performing point-of-care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining the area and equipment
The program prepares students for certification exams.
The cost for a two-year EKG certification period is $200.
This includes competency-based study guides, unlimited access to practice exams, and one chance to take the exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1025, Washington D.C. 20006
- Phone: (888) 797-9354
- Website: https://npscerts.com/ekg-certification
5AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare
Fully online classes are also available at AlliedRx 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 Richmond, Virginia.
The fully online 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
6Virginia Wesleyan University
Virginia Wesleyan University offers a Certified EKG Technician program.
This asynchronous course trains students to work as EKG techs and prepares them for the National Healthcareer Association nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician certification exam.
Courses Offered
Students enrolled in this program 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 170-hour course program costs $1,995.
Students have 12 months to complete the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 5817 Wesleyan Dr Virginia Beach, VA 23455
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.vwu.edu
7Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College
About the School
Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College provides an EKG Technician program.
This comprehensive 45-hour program prepares students to function as EKG Technicians and to take the National HealthCareer Association exam.
The course includes practice and background information on the anatomy and physiology of the heart, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, electrocardiography, and stress testing.
Students practice with EKG equipment and perform hands-on labs on:
- The function and proper use of the EKG machine
- The normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper placement
- 12-lead placement
- Other clinical practices
The program can be completed in six weeks.
Students attend classes two evenings per week from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and two Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for five weeks.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association Certified EKG Technician Associate.
Contact Information
- Address: 316 Eastern Drive, Moorefield, West Virginia 26836
- Phone: 877-982-2322
- Website: https://easternwv.edu
8Virginia Western
About the School
The EKG Technician program at Virginia Western helps students kick off their healthcare careers by stacking entry-level credentials that increase their employment options.
Students who have previous healthcare or college education are encouraged to follow the career pathway for medical assisting by starting with Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, then Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and finishing with the EKG technician courses.
This pathway leads to stackable credentials designed to build upon the knowledge and skills of one another.
This program can also be taken as a standalone course.
Funding is available for tuition.
Contact Information
- Phone: 540-857-6076
- Website: https://virginiawestern.augusoft.net
9Chester Career College
About the School
Chester Career College helps students get the skills they need in the subjects they care about.
Among many other career paths, the college provides an EKG Technician/Phlebotomy program that leads to a Diploma.
This program provides students with entry-level training that prepares them for employment as a phlebotomist and EKG technician.
The curriculum consists of an overview of anatomy and physiology and point-of-care testing that separate enhanced skills including:
- Taking the patient’s vital signs
- Specialized testing
- Pregnancy testing
- Other point-of-care tests
Individuals are also prepared to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic exams and report the results to the treatment team.
Graduates are eligible to take the NCCT certification exams for Phlebotomy and EKG Technicians.
The program includes the following courses:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Office Skills/ Lab Tests
- Phlebotomy Technique
- Externship
- Concepts in EKG
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 751 W Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23836
- Phone: 804-751-9191
- Website: https://www.chestercareercollege.edu
10Bryant & Stratton College
About the School
Bryant & Stratton College offers flexible learning programs in online, on-campus, and remote formats.
The college has two campuses in Virginia: Hampton and Virginia Beach.
Courses Offered
The college offers an EKG continuing education program.
This program combines classroom study with practical work that hones real-world workplace skills as well as critical theory and practice taught through in-class lectures.
The coursework prepares students to sit for the Certified EKG Technician exam.
The course combines online and hands-on training.
Students take classes in basic healthcare terminology, ethics, and anatomy combined with detailed courses in administering an EKG.
Contact Information
- Address: 5030 Kilgore Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666
- Phone: 757-896-6001
- Website: https://www.bryantstratton.edu
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 220 | $71,240 | $34.25 | $97,580 | $37,440 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 410 | $68,540 | $32.95 | $100,200 | $36,440 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 50 | $78,760 | $37.86 | $129,360 | $37,070 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of some of the best training options available to Virginia residents who want to become EKG Technicians, the next step is to continue with your own research and apply for the program that best meets 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.
