How to Become an EKG Technician in Alaska

Becoming a cardiographic technician (EKG Technician) is rewarding if you want to work in the clinical field.

As an EKG tech, you’ll get the chance to work alongside doctors in helping assess cardiovascular health.

An EKG tech plays a vital role in the clinical setting, and it’s a tough job that requires certification.

Below, if you’re looking at how to become an EKG technician in Alaska, we’ll help you.

Licensing Requirements to Become

Becoming an EKG technician requires meeting certain criteria before attending an official program.

All applicants must meet these requirements as they are set at the federal level. 

Here are the general requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 18 Years of Age
• Clean Background Check
• Negative Hepatitis Test
• Negative TB Test
• Immunization Records

After meeting the minimum requirements, applicants must apply to an accredited state course for EKG Technician training.

Many courses range in terms of course material, with some being more in-depth than the standard.

However, the standard certificate program in Alaska averages 40 to 80 hours for coursework and 20 to 40 clinical hours.

To gain certification, EKG Technicians in Alaska must also test their competencies through a third party, such as the American Society of Electrocardiogram Technicians (ASET) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

4 EKG Technician Schools in Alaska

There are limited opportunities to train as an EKG technician in the state of Alaska.

Many programs must be taken online, as the state doesn’t have more than a handful of in-person classes.

Below are just a few of the options.

Vocational Medical Trainers of Alaska

The Vocational Medical Trainers of Alaska is located in Wasilla, AK, and is an in-person course.

It takes just ten weeks to complete the program and helps those looking to become an EKG technician.

The program ranges anywhere from $400 to $1,000.

Allied Rx Training

Allied Rx Training is an online program hosted by AlliedRx.

It takes a total of ten weeks to complete and helps prep students for the National Board Examination.

The total cost of attending is $1,450.

Payment options are available for those who can’t pay the costs up close, including weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Here is what the course covers:

• Fundamentals of Electrocardiography
• EKG Interpretation and Analysis
• Patient Care and Electrode Placement
• Equipment Operation and Maintenance

MedCerts

MedCerts is an EKG technician training certificate that is fully online.

The course spans 11 weeks and helps prep students take their Certified EKG Technician (CET) and Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP) certifications.

While the tuition costs $2,000, students also have the opportunity to pay in increments as low as $173 per month. 

Here is an overview of what the program offers:

• Medical Terminology
• Disease Processes
• Explaining procedures
• Monitoring Blood Pressure
• Positioning Patients
• Etc.

Critical Care Training Center

The Critical Care Training Center is an online course that offers a wide range of EKG training programs.

Classes range from standard EKG training to advanced levels.

The standard EKG training course spans 50 hours and is completed over six days.

The course’s total tuition is $849, with a $117 NHA test fee. 

The course provides the following training:

• Introduction and Orientation for EKG Testing
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Character of the EKG technician
• Cardiac Cycle and Electrical Conduction System
• Preparation for a 12-lead EKG
• EKG Analysis and General EKG Interpretation
• A Review of Sinus Rhythms
• The 12-lead EKG Placement, Troubleshooting and Interpretation
• Knowledge of the Function of the EKG Department in a Variety of Settings

Salary

The average EKG Technician salary in the United States is $42,00, with the low-end making $33,530 and the high-end making $55,500.

The average EKG technician salary in Alaska is $46,600.

The low-end makes $36,666, while the high-end makes $60,546.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Anchorage	$47,600
Juneau	$47,200
Fairbanks	$47,400
Sitka	$46,600
Ketchikan	$46,600
Kenai	$47,000
Kodiak	$47,000
Bethel	$47,000
Wasilla	$47,000
Barrow	$46,800

Regional Salary in Alaska

* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the most EKG jobs located in Alaska?

Most EKG jobs will be located in Anchorage, AK.

In Anchorage, a handful of hospitals care for those inside the city.

Many private practices employ EKG techs.

However, there are also jobs located all across Alaska in medical facilities, with most of them being in the southern region of the state.

Are there EKG programs in Alaska?

EKG training programs are limited due to there not being many in-person opportunities.

Instead, applicants need to search for online programs.

Online programs must meet the CET guidelines to prepare students for their exams.

Otherwise, students may struggle and need to further their studies.

Is being an EKG technician in Alaska hard?

Being an EKG technician does require dedication, but it isn’t hard.

You will become a good EKG if you pay close attention during certificate training.

As you gain experience on the job, it becomes easier to do and will become second nature.

EKG Technician Info by State