EKG Technician Course

Lesson 1 • The Cardiac Cycle and Hemodynamics

Defines systole, diastole, and the pressure-volume relationships driving circulation. Links mechanical events to the electrical events recorded on EKG.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Conduction System Basics

Traces the electrical pathway from the SA node through the Purkinje fibers. Connects conduction anatomy directly to waveform generation on the EKG.

Lesson 3 • Heart Structure and Chamber Function

Covers the four chambers, valves, and great vessels and their roles in blood flow. Establishes anatomical vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Understanding the 12-Lead System

Explains how leads are derived from electrode pairs and what cardiac view each lead represents. Students map each lead to its anatomical territory.

Lesson 2 • Specialized and Supplemental Lead Configurations

Introduces right-sided, posterior, and continuous monitoring leads used in specific clinical scenarios. Expands the student's toolkit beyond the standard 12-lead setup.

Lesson 3 • EKG Machine Components and Operation

Identifies machine hardware, paper settings, and calibration controls. Ensures students can power, configure, and troubleshoot the device before patient contact.

Lesson 1 • Infection Control and Safety Protocols

Applies standard precautions, hand hygiene, and equipment disinfection to the EKG procedure. Protects both patient and technician from cross-contamination.

Lesson 2 • Skin Preparation and Electrode Application

Details hair removal, skin cleaning, and electrode attachment sequence. These steps prevent the most common sources of artifact and poor signal quality.

Lesson 3 • Patient Identification and Consent

Covers two-identifier verification, procedure explanation, and informed consent documentation. Establishes the safety and communication baseline for every patient encounter.

Lesson 4 • Recording, Labeling, and Documentation

Covers initiating the recording, confirming a clean tracing, and completing required documentation. Accurate labeling ensures the tracing is clinically usable and legally defensible.

Lesson 1 • EKG Paper and Measurement Fundamentals

Explains grid squares, time and voltage scales, and the use of calipers. Accurate measurement is the foundation of all interval and amplitude analysis.

Lesson 2 • P Wave and Atrial Depolarization

Defines normal P wave morphology, duration, and axis. Connects atrial depolarization to SA node firing and sets criteria for normal sinus rhythm.

Lesson 3 • QRS Complex and Ventricular Depolarization

Identifies Q, R, and S wave components and measures QRS duration and morphology. Normal QRS criteria form the reference for bundle branch and ventricular abnormalities.

Lesson 4 • ST Segment, T Wave, and QT Interval

Defines isoelectric ST segment position, normal T wave polarity, and QT interval measurement. These parameters are critical for detecting ischemia and repolarization disorders.

Lesson 1 • Sources and Types of EKG Artifact

Categorizes artifact by origin: patient motion, electrical interference, and equipment malfunction. Understanding the source is the first step toward targeted correction.

Lesson 2 • Correcting Electrode and Lead Problems

Provides step-by-step correction for misplaced, loose, or reversed electrodes and lead wires. Systematic troubleshooting restores signal quality without repeating the full setup.

Lesson 3 • Environmental and Patient-Related Interference

Addresses shivering, patient movement, nearby electrical equipment, and poor skin contact as artifact sources. Environmental control is a core technician competency.

Lesson 1 • Junctional and Ventricular Dysrhythmias

Identifies junctional rhythms, PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. These rhythms carry higher clinical urgency and demand rapid recognition.

Lesson 2 • Normal Sinus Rhythms and Variants

Defines normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and sinus arrhythmia. Establishes the normal baseline before introducing pathological rhythms.

Lesson 3 • Systematic Rhythm Analysis Method

Introduces a five-step rhythm analysis framework applied consistently to every strip. A structured method prevents missed findings and supports accurate classification.

Lesson 4 • Atrial Dysrhythmias

Covers PACs, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and SVT using waveform criteria. Atrial rhythms are among the most clinically common and require reliable identification.

Lesson 1 • Electrolyte and Metabolic EKG Changes

Links hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypothermia to specific EKG findings. Metabolic disturbances produce life-threatening rhythms that technicians must flag.

Lesson 2 • Bundle Branch Blocks and Hemiblocks

Applies QRS duration and morphology criteria to identify LBBB, RBBB, and fascicular blocks. Conduction blocks alter waveform appearance and can mask ischemic changes.

Lesson 3 • Chamber Hypertrophy and Enlargement

Applies voltage and duration criteria to identify left and right ventricular hypertrophy and atrial enlargement. These findings reflect chronic pressure or volume overload.

Lesson 4 • Myocardial Ischemia and Injury Patterns

Identifies ST depression, T wave inversion, and hyperacute T waves as markers of ischemia and injury. Early recognition enables faster escalation and better patient outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Certification Preparation and Career Pathways

Reviews national certification exam content, application requirements, and career advancement options. Certification validates competency and expands professional opportunities.

Lesson 2 • Scope of Practice and Reporting Responsibilities

Defines what EKG technicians may and may not do, and how to communicate findings appropriately. Clear scope boundaries protect patients and technicians from adverse outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

Applies quality metrics, peer review, and self-audit practices to maintain high tracing standards. Ongoing quality assurance is a professional obligation in regulated healthcare environments.

Lesson 4 • Pacemaker Rhythms and Device Awareness

Identifies pacemaker spikes, capture, and failure-to-capture patterns on EKG tracings. Technicians must recognize paced rhythms to avoid misclassifying them as abnormal.