Become a Telemetry Technician 


The Telemetry Technician program prepares students with the necessary skills to seek entry-level employment in hospitals (Patient care area, centralized telemetry center), offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, diagnostic labs, and all other ambulatory healthcare services. Upon successful completion of the Telemetry Technician Program, the student will qualify for the National Certification Examination for Telemetry Technician and employment as an entry-level Telemetry Technician.

  • Course Length:

    two-course sequence (8 units) pass/no pass course

  • Course Completion:
    • Certificate of Achievement

What is a Telemetry Technician?

Telemetry Technicians are an integral part of a cardiovascular healthcare team. Telemetry Technicians are responsible for continuous cardiac monitoring, administering a variety of vital tests on a patient's pulmonary or cardiovascular system for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. To qualify for certification, it is necessary to have completed a Telemetry Technician program in the last five years and hold a high school diploma or the equivalent.

...typical services and responsibilities of an ... include:

  • Performing electrocardiograms
  • Recognizing abnormal heart rhythms
  • Assisting with cardiac monitoring
  • Ensuring appropriate lead placement when performing electrocardiograms
  • Entering patient data into electronic health record or other patient data system

Application Process

The online application for the EKG Technician course will be available during the application cycle.  The application cycle will close when enough candidates to fill the section(s) have been selected.  It is important to read through all of the information prior to applying.

Application Dates:

1. Skills and Ability Requirements

To be successful in the program and become employable in the field, you should possess certain skills and abilities.

Technical standards for students in the Telemetry Cardiac Monitor Technician Program

· Compassion: A Telemetry Technician’s duty is to conduct or assist in cardiac diagnostic test and continuously monitor cardiac rhythm and identify cardiac arrhythmias.

· Demonstrates complete knowledge of the function and purpose of cardiac diagnostic equipment.

· Ability to read and interpret image results of cardiograms, inclusive of those with complex cardiac conditions.

· Exhibits knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, as well as familiarity with the healthcare field.

· Communicates clearly and calmy with patients, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals.

· Ability to translate technical knowledge into layman’s terms for the benefit of patients.

· Pays close attention to detail.

· Maintains professional demeanor.

· Possesses physical strength necessary to transport equipment and patients.

· Hand–eye coordination.

· Ability to Multitask.

· Team Player.

· Ability to assess their own ability to meet the above technical standards.

Competence in Major Course Objectives

All applicants must demonstrate minimal competence in all major course objectives which include, but are not

limited to, the following:

· Utilize appropriate oral and written communications.

· Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with patients, families, and other health care professionals conducive to providing quality care.

· Demonstrate ability to perform diagnostic cardiac test such as successful placement of electrodes on patients and operate the machine.

· Demonstrates knowledge of the cardiac monitoring machine, its function, accuracy in identifying cardiac arrhythmias and detecting the trend of variant cardiac rhythms.

· Demonstrate personal and professional qualities such as appropriate initiative, good judgment, flexibility, self-confidence, resourcefulness, and tact.

· Demonstrate ethical and professional abilities.

· Demonstrate organizational skills including time management, record keeping, and ability to work as a member of a professional healthcare team.

· Demonstrate ability to adapt rapidly and appropriately to new clinical settings and environments.

· Ability to handle the stresses of an intensive academic and clinical training program.

· Ability to apply universal precautions when indicated.

2. Program Description

The Telemetry Technician program prepares students with the necessary skills to seek entry-level employment in hospitals (Patient care area, centralized telemetry center), offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, diagnostic labs, and all other ambulatory healthcare services. Upon successful completion of the Telemetry Technician Program, the student will qualify for the National Certification Examination for Telemetry Technician and employment as an entry-level Telemetry Technician.

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of Pass.

Student Selection and Fees:

Requirements for Admission into the Telemetry Technician are:

1. Must be 18 years or older

2. Must have evidence of high school diploma or equivalent.

3. Successful Completion of HLSC 112 (EKG Technician course) or equivalent course

Fees:

· 8 units+ (refer to school website for current fees: unit cost, health, parking, etc.)

· Textbooks: approximately - $120

Technical standards for students in the Telemetry Cardiac Monitor Technician Program

· Compassion: A Telemetry Technician’s duty is to conduct or assist in cardiac diagnostic tests and continuously monitor cardiac rhythm and identify cardiac arrhythmias.

· Demonstrates complete knowledge of the function and purpose of cardiac diagnostic equipment.

· Ability to read and interpret image results of cardiograms, inclusive of those with complex cardiac conditions.

· Exhibits knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, as well as familiarity with the healthcare field.

· Communicates clearly and calmy with patients, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals.

· Ability to translate technical knowledge into layman’s terms for the benefit of patients.

· Pays close attention to detail.

· Maintains professional demeanor.

· Possesses physical strength necessary to transport equipment and patients.

· Hand–eye coordination.

· Ability to Multitask.

· Ability to perform tasks while interacting with other healthcare professionals.

· Ability to assess their own ability to meet the above technical standards.

3. Program Requirements

The proposed Telemetry Technician program will comprise a two-course sequence. HLSC 112 – EKG Technician – 4 Units

HLSC 120 – Telemetry Technician Course – 4 Units

Required Core Total: 8 units

TOTAL UNITS: 8 units

Proposed Sequence:

Fall/Winter, Fall/Spring, Winter/Spring or Spring/Summer

Telemetry Technicians are an integral part of a cardiovascular healthcare team. Telemetry Technicians are responsible for continuous cardiac monitoring, administering a variety of vital tests on a patient's pulmonary or cardiovascular system for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. To qualify for certification, it is necessary to have completed a Telemetry Technician program in the last five years and hold a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Type of degree conferred: Certificate of Achievement

Note: Applicants must be 18 years or older, provide proof of U.S. High School graduation, GED or Foreign Equivalency Report (requires translation). Telemetry Technician course clinical sites require anyone assisting with the provision of care within their facility or completing clinical rotations to be 18 years or older.  In order to successfully complete the Telemetry Technician course, you must complete both the theory and clinical components of the course.

View Admission Requirements