Post job

Ekg technician vs telemetry technician

The differences between ekg technicians and telemetry technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ekg technician and a telemetry technician. Additionally, a telemetry technician has an average salary of $35,758, which is higher than the $35,160 average annual salary of an ekg technician.

The top three skills for an ekg technician include patients, BLS and patient care. The most important skills for a telemetry technician are patients, EKG, and patient care.

Ekg technician vs telemetry technician overview

EKG TechnicianTelemetry Technician
Yearly salary$35,160$35,758
Hourly rate$16.90$17.19
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs52,67963,712
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does an ekg technician do?

An EKG technician is responsible for conducting laboratory tests using advanced equipment and machines to diagnose and identify patients' conditions with cardiovascular problems. EKG technicians must have excellent knowledge of the process to discuss the procedures and respond to the patients' inquiries and concerns accurately. They help the doctors in diagnosing patients and developing treatment plans upon the interpretation of the results. An EKG technician inspects the stability and efficiency of the equipment regularly to prevent delays and inconsistencies with the results.

What does a telemetry technician do?

A telemetry technician is responsible for operating the telemetry machine to identify patients' heart rates and rhythms. Telemetry technicians monitor the patients' heart condition by attaching medical equipment to the patients' chest and record findings for the doctor's reference. They also assist with related medical operations and treatment procedures and discuss the processes with the patient. A telemetry technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in sorting clients' records and medical treatment plans.

Ekg technician vs telemetry technician salary

Ekg technicians and telemetry technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

EKG TechnicianTelemetry Technician
Average salary$35,160$35,758
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $43,000Between $28,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, ORFremont, CA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaCalifornia
Best paying companyUC MercedUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between ekg technician and telemetry technician education

There are a few differences between an ekg technician and a telemetry technician in terms of educational background:

EKG TechnicianTelemetry Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityEmory University

Ekg technician vs telemetry technician demographics

Here are the differences between ekg technicians' and telemetry technicians' demographics:

EKG TechnicianTelemetry Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 23.5% Female, 76.5%Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between ekg technician and telemetry technician duties and responsibilities

Ekg technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
  • Assist physicians during codes by performing the ECG's and assisting with CPR.
  • Perform EKG and EEG examinations of patients to obtain graphic indications of heart activity
  • Conduct electrocardiogram and other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity using specialize electronic test equipment and recording devices.
  • Obtain ECG records of events; assist emergency situations by initiating and/or assisting in emergency procedures prescribe by hospital policies.
  • Show more

Telemetry technician example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients being monitor while in the ICU and the Med/Surge unit and reporting any abnormal findings to the RN.
  • Monitor patients and administer EKG.
  • Utilize varied medical equipment including telemetry monitors, vital sign monitors and lifting equipment to care for patients.
  • Provide continuous observation of monitor ECG rhythms for patients on telemetry and report pertinent information to appropriate nursing personnel.
  • Pass instruments, sponges, and suture to surgical team.
  • Assist in code situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Show more

Ekg technician vs telemetry technician skills

Common ekg technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Electrocardiogram, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • ECG, 3%
Common telemetry technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • EKG, 15%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Rhythm Interpretation, 4%
  • ICU, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs