Why is it Important to be Nationally Certified as an ECG Technician?

You would want to get certified as an ECG technician for many reasons. There are many perks to gaining certification, so many people constantly try to receive their certificate as soon as possible. If you’re still considering signing up for the national certification, read on as we tell you why it’s important to get the ECG technician certification.

Certified ECG Technician (CET) involves a nationally accredited designation that lets you seek part-time or full-time employment as an ECG technician.

There are many reasons why you need to get this certification. We have listed some of these reasons below:

1.    You can Save Lives

Once you get the certification, you’ll be well to becoming certified as an ECG technician. ECG checking is non-invasive, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally hurting a patient. However, having the certification also means that you’re likelier to save people when you’re certified. The certifications ensure that you know what to do when something goes awry. You can be more helpful and confident in your endeavors when you know you have an ECG technician certification.

2.    It Widens Your Jobs Prospects

Some certifications allow you to have a better chance of getting a job. Having a national certification as an ECG certification is one of these certificates. You can get a job anywhere in any hospital. Also, you will get paid a decent amount. Your yearly salary can be anywhere from 50K-60K dollars. You can also shift your job from state to state, which won’t harm your job prospects as you already have a national certification.

3.    It’s a Quick Procedure

The process of getting ECG certified is relatively easy. All you have to do is sign up for the particular program and take the classes to gain all the knowledge you would need as an ECG technician. It’s also necessary for you to start working for six weeks so you know how to interact with your particular patients. Once you complete that part, you can then receive your certification. If you play your cards right, you can have a certification in only six months.

4.    Easier to Have Career Advancement

If you’re stuck in one job for too long, then having the right ECG certification will push you through the ranks. With any job, you must have the capacity to be promoted upwards so you can have something which is much more challenging for you.

Having the CET means you are likelier to get promoted within that field as you have the certification to go along with the job title. It’s also not something that would cost you a lot, which means that the credentials are a good return on investment. You also don’t have to stop at just one certification. After the CET, there are other certifications that you can opt for to proceed with better growth. For more information, you can also visit our website.

Phlebotomy Career Training for a Competitive Edge in Medical Health

The perks of being Nationally Certified applies to virtually all areas of medical health. You can explore these options at Phlebotomy Career Training knowing that there are no limits. Riding on the coat tails of ECG is telemetry or EKG in several tiers which can be attained at the same time making room for career advancement.

At the core of these careers is phlebotomy. Collecting blood for lab testing is in high demand and expected to keep growing. With phlebotomy as your base you can pivot your career towards cardiovascular, dialysis, patient care, several levels of medical assistant certification and so much more. If an administrative position is more your speed, you might want to enroll in the online medical coding and billing course.

Don’t know where to begin? Contact PCT and speak with a program specialist about our world-class certifications taught by experienced educators offered both online and in class. To learn more about guidelines and standard practices in phlebotomy from the naptp, telemetry (NTA) and IV certifications (NIVA) click on the links!

These associations help you stay up-to date, enhance patient safety, and help you establish and maintain high standards so you can remain on top!

Phlebotomy Patient Safety During COVID-19

During this unprecedented time, hospital triages and urgent care centers are experiencing extraordinarily high volumes of patients. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing traditional healthcare to a standstill, patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a hot topic among hospital staff and medical providers.

In this article we will examine some measures currently being taken to help keep patients (and healthcare providers) safe during COVID-19.

*This article is not an obligatory guideline. Local regulations should always be observed.

Measures

Indication

1. Ask physicians to critically judge the necessity and frequency of laboratory testing

2. Routine checks or protocols could be adjusted

3. Triage to split up patient stream: COVID-19 patients, non-COVID-19 patients and patients with symptoms possibly related to COVID-19

Requests

1. Digital requests are preferred, to reduce physical contact with potentially contaminated paper request forms

2. Hospital information systems

3. Primary care order entry systems

4. Application of Point-of-care testing

Crowd control

1. Patients are requested to visit the phlebotomy service unattended if possible

2. Spread outpatient phlebotomy services in space and time

3. Increase opening hours; opening during evening and weekend

4. Inform patients about peak and off times of outpatient phlebotomy services

5. Blood sampling by appointment; special locations or opening hours for patients with (possible) SARS CoV-2 infection

6. Necessity for fasting blood sampling (lipids, glucose)

7. Avoid any priority procedures for specific patient groups in order to optimize the flow of patients

8. Blood sampling on parking lots, so that patients can wait in their car

Social distancing

1. One-way routing in phlebotomy services

2. Refer the patient directly to the blood collection room (working without a counter, registering the application and performing the blood collection by the same person at the same place)

3. Reception and waiting rooms:

  • Minimize the number of chairs and tables. Clearly mark fixed seats as out of use in case a minimum distance of 1.5 m cannot be met
  • Place chairs at a minimum distance of 1.5 m
  • Maximum number of patients allowed in facility
  • Grid on the floor (with instruction that only one person is allowed per square)

4. Provide counters with screens if necessary

5. Physical barriers, such as plexiglass, can also help in situations where a 1.5 m distance is not possible

Hygiene

1. Disinfectant dispenser for patients and attendants at the entrance and exit of the blood collection site

2. Instruction for applying hand hygiene

3. Instruction for averting face during blood draw

4. Seats and tables are easy to clean (no fabric furniture)

5. Clean regularly all contact points in central areas and waiting areas (e. g. chairs, tables, counters)

6. No newspapers or magazines offered or allowed in waiting areas

7. No food or drink offered or allowed in waiting areas

8. Washable keyboards

9. Blood collection booths equipped with screens

10. Use disposable thrust belts and disposable blood collection sleeves

11. Personal protective equipment for employees (mouth-nose mask, splash goggles, gloves, apron)

12. Possibly also a mouth-nose mask for the patient/attendant after triage

Communication

Communicate to both physicians and patients about the limited capacity of phlebotomy services due to safety measures related to the COVID-19 situation

Careers in Phlebotomy

At Phlebotomy Career Training patient safety in all areas of medical health is crucial, especially in phlebotomy and blood testing. Implementing the safest practices and taking precautions as top priority is the first step to excellent patient care and lays the groundwork for a safe work environment.

Phlebotomy Career Training is the Nation’s leader in Medical Health Careers producing students that are well prepared and ready to work in the field of their choice. Our programs offered include Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Electrocardiogram Technician, Dialysis Technician, Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Coding and Billing and more!

The largest health care providers specifically seek PCT students for their team due to our training and program education with a 99% course completion rate. Our classes are small, allowing instructors to spend quality time with each and every student and our programs are accredited through National Organizations, led by experienced educators, offered both in class and online. If you are interested in a career in medical health, Phlebotomy Career Training has the program for you. Call and speak with a Program Specialist today!

For more information on a career in phlebotomy, certifications, employment and more click here.