What Do EKG Technicians Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for ekg technicians?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what ekg technicians do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
EKG Technicians Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about ekg technicians by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
EKG Technicians assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Popular Job Titles For EKG Technicians
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Exercise Physiologists
- Exercise Specialists
- Clinical Exercise Physiologists
- Clinical Exercise Specialists
- Physical Therapy Technicians
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Interns
- Sports Medicine Assistants
- Physical Therapy Aides
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Interns
- Group Exercise Managers
- Exercise Coordinators
- Exercise Physiology Interns
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for ekg technicians can be found.
Best Industries for EKG Technicians
EKG Technicians Jobs By Industry
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 50.4%
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners: 16.7%
- Offices of Physicians: 5.7%
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 5.4%
- Other Ambulatory Health Care Services: 5.1%
- Federal Government, Civilian: 3.6%
- Other: 13.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of ekg technicians can be found working in the General Medical and Surgical Hospitals sector. In 2023, about 50.4% of all jobs for ekg technicians were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Offices of Other Health Practitioners (16.7%), Offices of Physicians (5.7%), Education and Hospitals (Local Government) (5.4%), Other Ambulatory Health Care Services (5.1%) and Federal Government, Civilian (3.6%).
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Degree Options for EKG Technicians
The B.S. Exercise Science major provides a clear path to a rewarding career helping individuals realize their health and fitness goals. You’ll learn to evaluate fitness levels, design results-oriented exercise programs and apply coaching methodologies to help your clients reach their full potential.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Certificates & Microcredentials for EKG Technicians
Learn to help diagnose and test for cardiovascular issues in this online, comprehensive program that prepares you for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 2-3 months
- Cost: $2,000
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 3-4 months
- Cost: $4,000
What Do EKG Technicians Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what ekg technicians do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work ekg technicians do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that ekg technicians tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for ekg technicians, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's EKG Technicians
Based on 4,730 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for EKG Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,531 | 75% |
| Exercise Science | 2,353 | 50% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,690 | 36% |
| Exercise Prescription | 1,346 | 28% |
| Kinesiology | 1,312 | 28% |
Top 5 Common Skills for EKG Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1,393 | 29% |
| Management | 910 | 19% |
| Research | 559 | 12% |
| Customer Service | 548 | 12% |
| Teaching | 514 | 11% |
Based on 4,730 job postings related to ekg technicians, exercise physiology was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 75% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for exercise science, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, exercise prescription, kinesiology and rehabilitation were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for ekg technicians, followed by management, research, customer service, teaching and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,531 | 75% |
| Exercise Science | 2,353 | 50% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,690 | 36% |
| Exercise Prescription | 1,346 | 28% |
| Kinesiology | 1,312 | 28% |
| Rehabilitation | 1,264 | 27% |
| Electrocardiography | 1,218 | 26% |
| Medical Prescription | 1,063 | 22% |
| Exercise Programs | 1,013 | 21% |
| Cardiac Stress Testing | 929 | 20% |
| Exercise Testing | 901 | 19% |
| Pulmonary Rehabilitation | 792 | 17% |
| Health Risk Assessments | 771 | 16% |
| Treatment Planning | 672 | 14% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 627 | 13% |
| Strength Training And Conditioning | 600 | 13% |
| Physiology | 559 | 12% |
| Blood Pressure | 519 | 11% |
| Cardiology | 497 | 11% |
| Physical Therapy | 488 | 10% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1,393 | 29% |
| Management | 910 | 19% |
| Research | 559 | 12% |
| Customer Service | 548 | 12% |
| Teaching | 514 | 11% |
| Planning | 465 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 455 | 10% |
| Microsoft Excel | 422 | 9% |
| Leadership | 420 | 9% |
| Goal Setting | 398 | 8% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 393 | 8% |
| Microsoft Outlook | 391 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 384 | 8% |
| Operations | 382 | 8% |
| Scheduling | 377 | 8% |
| Writing | 335 | 7% |
| Professionalism | 319 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 317 | 7% |
| Critical Thinking | 291 | 6% |
| Presentations | 275 | 6% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for EKG Technicians
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 6,606 | 57.5% |
| Exercise Specialists | 2,593 | 22.6% |
| Clinical Exercise Physiologists | 1,181 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Exercise Specialists | 265 | 2.3% |
| Physical Therapy Technicians | 137 | 1.2% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was exercise physiologists, with 2,450 unique job postings. Exercise specialists were second, with 289 postings, followed by clinical exercise physiologists, clinical exercise specialists and physical therapy technicians.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to ekg technicians.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 6,606 | 57.5% |
| Exercise Specialists | 2,593 | 22.6% |
| Clinical Exercise Physiologists | 1,181 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Exercise Specialists | 265 | 2.3% |
| Physical Therapy Technicians | 137 | 1.2% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Interns | 124 | 1.1% |
| Sports Medicine Assistants | 129 | 1.1% |
| Physical Therapy Aides | 65 | 0.6% |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation Interns | 57 | 0.5% |
| Group Exercise Managers | 61 | 0.5% |
| Exercise Coordinators | 32 | 0.3% |
| Exercise Physiology Interns | 26 | 0.2% |
| Exercise Science Interns | 39 | 0.3% |
| Training and Exercise Coordinators | 37 | 0.3% |
| Early Intervention Specialists | 19 | 0.2% |
| Exercise Technicians | 20 | 0.2% |
| Cardiopulmonary Managers | 24 | 0.2% |
| Cardiopulmonary Specialists | 23 | 0.2% |
| Exercise Specialist Interns | 18 | 0.2% |
| Non-Invasive Cardiologists | 23 | 0.2% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for ekg technicians? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for ekg technicians.
How much do ekg technicians make?
EKG Technicians: How do you become one?
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