Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician prepares students to perform the daily duties and responsibilities related to cardiac monitoring and telemetry. This program introduces students to electronic patient records, record keeping, patient assessment, basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, cardiac conduction system, 12-lead ECG acquisition and rhythm interpretation, telemetry, Holter monitoring, conducting stress tests, and artificial pacemaker evaluation.

This program also serves as a stackable credential for students who have completed a Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, EMT or CNA program and wish to acquire additional skills that may be suited for positions such as a patient monitor technician, ECG/cardiac technician, telemetry technician, and stress test technician.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Academic Plan Code
1119N
Total Clock Hours Required
325
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027

Students may apply for graduation from the Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician program upon successful completion of their program hours and a score of 75% or higher in each course.

This program also includes the Certified ECG Technician (CET) exam by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

What You'll Learn
  1. Articulate the role and responsibility of the electrocardiogram
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology related to the heart and ECG.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.
  4. Describe characteristics of ECG tracings such as rhythm, rate, wave configurations, interval measurement, segments and complex duration.
  5. Become familiar with different ECG equipment including positive and negative electrode placement and how to set up ECG equipment.
  6. Demonstrate effective communication within a team dynamic and during patient interactions.
  7. Explain the purpose and the pharmacology of drugs commonly used in treatment of cardiac disorders.
  8. Demonstrate proficiency in obtaining an ECG from a patient.
  9. Recognize ECG changes consistent with acute myocardial infarction.
  10. Demonstrate the preparation and application of a Holter monitor on a patient as well as recording and analyzing data.
  11. Describe event monitoring versus Holter monitoring.
  12. List the indications and contraindications of stress testing.
Admission criteria

1. Background Check Requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Students must maintain current fingerprint clearance throughout the externship(s). Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

2. Submit current CPR/BLS Provider card (American Heart Association approved) and maintain current status throughout the practicum(s).

3. Complete and submit the Allied Health Student Health and Safety Documentation Checklist, with included documentation, signed by a licensed healthcare provider.

4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes may result in cancellation of enrollment.

5. 18 years of age at time of practicum. Must be 17 years and 9 months to enroll in the program.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
$58,140

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by block. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with a navigator to discuss their academic and career goals.
  • The course sequence is laid out by block and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • This is a cohort program in which students progress through their course of study together in the required course sequence.

Courses Sequence

Block 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Block 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Clock Hours
ECG100 Introduction to Healthcare: Medical, Legal, Ethics Critical course Gateway course 25
ECG101 The Cardiovascular System: Anatomy & Physiology and Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease Critical course 30
ECG102 Introduction to ECG 40
ECG103 Applied ECG: Atrial, Junctional, Ventricular Rhythms and Heart Blocks 50
ECG105 Advanced ECG: Diagnostic Procedures, Certification Prep and Exam 100
ECG106 Clinical Practicum 80
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gatewaycc.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/1119N-GWC03
Disclaimer

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician