The Certified Electrocardiogram Technician (CET) program at Saint Joseph's College strengthens your understanding of the human heart. You will have an extensive understanding of how the heart works so you’ll be better equipped to recognize why an EKG produced an abnormal reading.  We’ll also replicate real-life situations in our EKG lab, allowing you to practice and perfect your skills.

Our program also emphasizes hands-on training. You’ll be required to have successfully performed 10 EKGs. Saint Joseph's College instructors will help in securing a location to fulfill these requirements.

Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to sit for their CET national certification. The certification is through the National Healthcareers Association (NHA).

If you have a sharp eye for detail, you may already have what it takes to thrive as an EKG technician. 

A healthy heart is paramount to a patient’s overall good health and well-being. It’s responsible for pumping nutrient-rich blood throughout your body and supplying oxygen while removing toxins and waste. When physicians believe there may be an issue with a patient’s heart, they will order an electrocardiogram.

As an EKG Technician, you will perform tests that record the condition of the heart, its beat pattern, and detect any underlying heart ailment. It’s of immense help to physicians in treating and identifying cardiovascular problems in patients.

Those who need electrocardiograms include patients who:

• Administering medication
• Need a routine physical
• Are being screened for surgery
• Experience palpitations, a fast heart rate or chest pain
• Experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, confusion, fatigue or weakness

A physician might order an electrocardiogram to determine or detect irregular heart rhythms, blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart causing chest pain or a heart attack, and whether or not you have had a previous heart attack.

Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technicians operate a specialized machine that measures, monitors, and graphically traces the electrical activity of the heart through wires and electrodes attached to a patient's chest, arms and legs. They then record the results of the test so physicians can diagnose and monitor patients' heart problems.

EKG Technicians usually work at hospitals or health clinics, however, some Technicians will work in doctor's offices and private practices. Though, they’ll always work directly with their patients.  

Earning an EKG certification is an excellent starting point for a productive career path. Many EKG techs use their job as a stepping stone toward bigger and better careers. With valuable healthcare experience and additional training, the sky's the limit. You can pursue careers in medical lab technology, cardiovascular technology, neurodiagnostic technology, and many other fields.

Yes! Our Certified Electrocardiogram Technician program has been approved by the American Council on Education's (ACE) Learning Evaluations Service so you'll gain  academic credit for formal courses and examinations taken outside the traditional classroom.

2 semester hours towards a lower division baccalaureate or associate degree have been approved for transferable credit.

Certification holders that have successfully passed the CET exam between June 1, 2022 to present, are eligible to apply for ACE credit.

*Please note that the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits is always up to the incoming institution and it is not a guarantee that transfer credits will be aligned or awarded.