There are no official state regulations formally adopted to create EKG technician training and certification requirements in the great state of Alaska. The Dept of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development provides a list of professions that are licensed. Applications, statutes, and other details can be located by clicking on each link. In Alaska, a technician who performs patient care services such as electrocardiograms and/or cardiac monitoring and telemetry must comply with specialized nursing delegation requirements.
According to the standards established in 12 AAC 44.960, specialized nursing duties are those duties that do not require professional nursing education to correctly perform, but require more training and skill than routine nursing duties. A nurse may delegate the act of placing electrodes and leads for electrocardiogram, cardiac monitoring, and telemetry as long as the following conditions are met…
- The nursing duty must be within the scope of practice of the nurse
- A registered nurse must assess the patient’s medical condition
- The patient’s medical condition must be stable and predictable
- The person to whom the duty is delegated must be adequately trained
- The person to whom the duty is delegated must be competent
- The duty does not require professional nursing judgement, knowledge, or skill
- The delegating nurse has provided written instructions that include…
- A clear description of the procedure
- The predicted outcomes
- How to observe and report side effects, complications, or outcomes
- The procedure for documenting the performance in the patient record
Education and Training Requirements
Healthcare facilities in Alaska differ in terms of their expectations for EKG technician training and certification. It is not uncommon for employers to give preference to individuals who have completed a healthcare related degree and who have significant experience providing direct patient care. In many cases, technicians begin their careers by acquiring a position as a nursing aide, medical assistant, or radiologic technician. As these individuals gain exposure to different medical specialties, they are able to decide which one is appropriate for them. After selecting the electrocardiogram field, technicians will usually try to complete the certification process in order to secure a higher salary, better benefits, and more job opportunities.
Those considering the EKG technician career field are advised to contact employers to learn more about their expectations. Some facilities require either a two-year Associates Degree or a four-year Bachelors Degree before they will consider offering a job. Some administrators allow individuals to spend time shadowing in the cardiovascular department. Observing the day-to-day routine of an EKG technician will give you a better idea of the tasks that you will need to perform and can serve as validation that it is the right career path for you.
State Contact Information
Phone: (907) 269-4526
Fax: (907) 269-3488
Email: Jane.Urbanovsky@alaska.gov
4501 Business Park Blvd., Bldg. L Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 465-2550
Fax: (907) 465-2974
Email: lisa.maroney@alaska.gov
PO Box 110806 Juneau, AK 99811
