Program Overview
About This Program
The AlliedRx EKG Technician program prepares students to interpret and record electrocardiograms (EKGs/ECGs) in hospital, clinic, and outpatient settings. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of cardiac anatomy, electrophysiology, rhythm interpretation, and 12-lead ECG analysis through an engaging, self-paced online curriculum.
Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to sit for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) Board Examination. The program covers all major rhythm categories — from normal sinus rhythms to complex ventricular arrhythmias and heart blocks — ensuring graduates are fully prepared for national certification and clinical practice.
The program includes virtual simulations, interactive rhythm strip analysis, board exam prep materials, and engaging video demonstrations. A 5-week fast track option is available for students who wish to complete the program at an accelerated pace.
What You Will Learn
Learning Objectives
By completing this program, students will demonstrate proficiency in the following core competency areas:
Identify the structures of the heart, the conduction system, and how the electrical impulse produces a mechanical contraction and normal ECG waveform.
Understand the principles of cardiac electrophysiology including depolarization, repolarization, and the relationship between electrical activity and ECG waveforms.
Recognize and interpret normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, and sinus arrest on rhythm strips.
Identify and classify atrial dysrhythmias including PACs, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation with clinical significance.
Recognize junctional rhythms, junctional tachycardia, and accelerated junctional rhythm, and understand their clinical implications.
Identify life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias including PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and asystole.
Classify and interpret first-degree, second-degree (Type I and Type II), and third-degree (complete) heart blocks and their significance.
Perform and interpret 12-lead ECGs, identify bundle branch blocks, axis deviations, myocardial infarction patterns, and chamber hypertrophy.
Recognize pacemaker spikes, identify paced rhythms, assess pacemaker function, and understand indications for pacemaker insertion.
Apply knowledge across all rhythm categories in board-style practice scenarios to prepare for the CET national certification examination.
Weekly Schedule
Course Schedule
This 10-week program is delivered in a self-paced online format. Students may also complete the program in 5 weeks through the fast-track option.
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Anatomy & Physiology of the Heart | Cardiac structures, chambers, valves, great vessels, the conduction system, and the cardiac cycle |
| Week 2 | Basic Electrophysiology | Depolarization and repolarization, action potentials, ECG paper and measurements, P-QRS-T waveform analysis |
| Week 3 | Sinus Mechanisms | Normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, sick sinus syndrome, and sinus arrest |
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 4 | Atrial Rhythms | Premature atrial contractions (PACs), atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, wandering atrial pacemaker |
| Week 5 | Junctional Rhythms | Junctional escape rhythm, accelerated junctional rhythm, junctional tachycardia, and differentiation from other supraventricular rhythms |
| Week 6 | Ventricular Rhythms | Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), idioventricular rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, torsades de pointes, asystole |
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 7 | Heart Blocks | First-degree AV block, second-degree Type I (Wenckebach) and Type II, third-degree (complete) heart block, clinical management |
| Week 8 | 12-Lead ECG Interpretation | Electrode placement, lead systems, axis determination, bundle branch blocks (LBBB/RBBB), myocardial infarction localization |
| Week 9 | Pacemaker Rhythms | Pacemaker terminology, types of pacemakers, paced rhythm identification, failure to capture/sense, and pacemaker malfunctions |
| Week 10 | Board Exam Preparation & Review | Comprehensive rhythm strip review, mock board exam practice, CET exam strategy, and final competency assessment |
Assessment & Grading
Grading Policy
| Assessment Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Module Quizzes & Knowledge Checks | 25% |
| Rhythm Strip Interpretation Assignments | 25% |
| Virtual Lab Simulations | 20% |
| Midterm Examination | 15% |
| Final Board Prep Examination | 15% |