Train as an EKG Technician in 32 Hours

The EKG Technician program at Mission Career College is a short yet comprehensive course designed to prepare you for cardiac monitoring roles. Over 32 hours of instruction, you’ll study the fundamentals of heart anatomy, practice using real EKG machines, and learn how to obtain accurate heart readings from patients. The curriculum covers both classroom theory and practical lab training, ensuring you can confidently operate equipment and recognize basic arrhythmias.

This program is ideal for those seeking a fast entry into healthcare or current professionals adding a new skill. You’ll be trained to work in environments like hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and diagnostic labs. Graduates are equipped to perform EKG tests, assist nurses and physicians in diagnosing heart conditions, and ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures. With an emphasis on hands-on learning and expert instruction, the EKG Technician course offers an informative, non-promotional learning experience that builds real competency for the workplace.

We’ve designed our EKG Technician program to be fast, focused, and flexible. All training takes place in person at our Riverside campus and is delivered over just two weekends — making it easy to balance with work, school, or family responsibilities.

Program Format

4-Day Intensive Weekend Program

• Days: Saturday & Sunday
• Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Location: Riverside Campus (in-person only)
• Total Hours: 32 hours (16 hours per weekend)

This format allows you to complete the entire program in just two consecutive weekends, without taking time off from work or school during the week.

Navigate from student to healthcare professional in three simple steps:

1. Complete the 32-hour EKG course: Attend and participate in all classes (whether in an intensive week or spread over weekends/evenings) to learn the essential skills and knowledge. Our 32-hour EKG course blends theory and practice, so you finish fully prepared for the next steps.
2. Earn your Certificate of Completion: Upon finishing the program, you’ll receive an EKG Technician Certificate from Mission Career College, validating your training in cardiac monitoring. This college certificate qualifies you for entry-level EKG roles and is recognized by healthcare employers.
3. Optional national certification + employment: While not required to work, you have the option to take a national EKG certification exam (such as the NHA’s Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam) to become a nationally certified EKG Technician. With your training (and certification if pursued), you can then apply for positions like EKG Tech, Telemetry Tech, or Cardiac Monitor Tech in hospitals and clinics. Our career services team will assist you in transitioning to the workforce after graduation.

(Most students complete the above path within 1–2 months, including scheduling the national exam if desired.)

By the end of the EKG Technician program, you will have mastered core skills needed for cardiac monitoring:

• EKG Equipment Operation: How to set up, calibrate, and operate 12-lead EKG machines and related cardiac monitoring equipment.
• Heart Anatomy & Physiology: Understanding the structure of the heart and electrical conduction system to know what you’re measuring and why.
• Arrhythmia Recognition: Identifying normal vs. abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) on EKG readouts and knowing when they signal a potential problem.
• Patient Preparation: Properly prepping patients for EKG tests – placing electrodes on the chest/limbs, ensuring patient comfort, and explaining the procedure.
• Safety Protocols: Following infection control, maintaining equipment, and ensuring accurate, artifact-free readings through correct technique.
• Result Interpretation Basics: Learning to trace the EKG paper/chart, note key waveforms, and alert healthcare providers to critical findings.

Each skill is taught with a combination of explanation, demonstration, and practice. You’ll leave with the confidence to perform EKGs and contribute to patient care immediately.

Not sure if this program is right for you? Our EKG Technician training is tailored for a wide range of students. You should consider enrolling if you are:

• New to Healthcare: No prior medical experience? No problem. This course starts with the basics, making it perfect for newcomers exploring a healthcare career without a long-term commitment.
• Career Changer: Looking to switch fields or re-enter the workforce? Train as an EKG Tech quickly and open doors to hospitals and clinics in a matter of weeks.
• Current Healthcare Worker: Already a CNA, MA, phlebotomist, or other healthcare professional? Add EKG skills to your résumé to expand your role and opportunities. It’s a great upskill for nursing assistants, medical assistants, EMTs, and more.
• Pre-Nursing/Allied Health Student: Gain exposure to cardiac care early. If you plan on nursing or another allied health program later, this certification gives you a head-start and valuable experience in patient care and telemetry.
• Interested in Cardiac Field: Anyone fascinated by heart health, fitness testing, or cardiology technology can benefit. This is an entry point into the cardiac monitoring field, which can lead to further specializations.

No prior healthcare certification is required – just a willingness to learn in a hands-on environment. If you want a fast, practical route into healthcare, this EKG course is an excellent choice.

Getting started is straightforward. To enroll in the EKG Technician program, please ensure you meet the following requirements and have the necessary documentation:

• Age & Education: Must be at least 18 years old. High school diploma or GED – OR – a passing score on the college’s entrance assessment exam (Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam).
• Identification: Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and Social Security card for enrollment verification.
• Prior Education Proof: If you have a high school diploma or equivalent, provide a copy. (College transcripts or degrees are also accepted as proof of prior education.)
• Health Clearance: Basic physical exam and up-to-date immunizations. You’ll need proof of a negative TB test (and COVID-19 vaccination, if required by local health guidelines) to ensure safety in a clinical setting.
• Admissions Forms: Complete the Mission Career College application and enrollment agreement. All paperwork must be signed before the class start date. (Our staff will guide you through this process.)
• Other: English language proficiency (the course is taught in English). If you are a veteran or WIOA participant, please provide relevant documentation to access those benefits.

Note: No prior medical experience or license is required. This is a non-degree, short-term certificate program. If you have questions about any requirement (for example, wondering if your out-of-country diploma is acceptable), our admissions advisors are happy to help clarify.

Graduating from the EKG Technician program opens the door to several entry-level positions in healthcare. With your certification, you can pursue roles such as:

• EKG Technician: Operate EKG machines to record patients’ heart activity. EKG Techs typically work in hospital cardiology departments, emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, or physicians’ offices. They interact directly with patients, attach leads/electrodes, run the cardiac test, and produce the EKG strips for doctors to review.
• Telemetry Technician: Monitor multiple patients’ heart rhythms remotely in a hospital setting. Telemetry Techs usually work in telemetry units or intensive care units, observing banks of screens that display real-time EKG readings. They alert nurses or doctors to irregular heartbeats or alarms. This role involves less direct patient contact and more continuous vigilance of cardiac monitors.
• Cardiac Monitor Technician: Often interchangeable with a telemetry tech, a Monitor Tech focuses on observing and interpreting heart monitors. They may work in specialized cardiac care clinics or diagnostic labs as well. Monitor Techs are trained to recognize dangerous arrhythmias and ensure the monitoring equipment is functioning properly.

All of these positions play a crucial part in cardiac patient care and diagnostics. They can be found in hospitals, cardiac rehab centers, urgent care facilities, and even research labs.

The demand outlook for EKG-trained professionals is strong – healthcare employers value technicians who can step into cardiac teams and start contributing quickly​. As heart disease remains a leading health concern, hospitals and clinics continue to hire EKG technicians and monitor techs to improve patient outcomes. This means that with your certification, you’ll be entering a field with steady job opportunities and room for growth. Some graduates also use this certification as a springboard into advanced cardiovascular careers (like echo tech or cardio ultrasound) down the line.