Program Description

The EKG Technician Hybrid program is our most comprehensive EKG offering — designed for students who want hands-on clinical experience and a supported path to employment alongside their certification.

Students begin by attending one of our twice-monthly in-person Orientation sessions at our San Diego campus. Orientation includes a full program welcome and overview, platform access setup, instructor introduction, and CPR/BLS Certification Training — all in a single 4-hour session.

Following Orientation, students work independently through 80 hours of self-paced online theory covering EKG fundamentals, rhythm interpretation, lead placement, and real-world clinical application. When online coursework is complete, students sign up for one of the monthly 4-hour In-Person Hands-On Labs at our San Diego Learning Lab.

After completing the lab, WMTC staff support each student in securing an unpaid 80-hour clinical externship at an approved site. The externship provides valuable real-world experience and significantly strengthens your resume and job readiness.

Upon completing all program components, students are eligible to sit for the NHA EKG national certification exam, administered on-campus at Western Medical Training Center.

What is an EKG Technician?

An EKG (electrocardiogram) technician is responsible for conducting diagnostic tests to monitor the electrical activity of patients' hearts. Their duties include preparing patients for the procedure, applying electrodes to specific locations on the patient's body, operating electrocardiograph machines to record heart activity, performing various types of EKG tests, and ensuring the accuracy and clarity of recorded data. While they do not interpret EKG results themselves, EKG technicians assist healthcare providers by organizing test results and maintaining accurate records for review. They play a crucial role in assisting healthcare professionals in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.

Where Can I Work?

EKG technicians have a range of employment opportunities across various healthcare settings where cardiac monitoring and diagnostic testing are conducted.

Program Structure

1. In-Person Orientation + CPR/BLS (4 Hours) — Students begin by attending one of our twice-monthly Orientation sessions at our San Diego campus. Orientation includes a program welcome and overview, systems access setup and platform walkthrough, instructor introduction, certification pathway and exam expectations, and CPR/BLS Certification Training. Students may join any session that fits their schedule — no fixed start date.

2. Online Self-Paced Theory (80 Hours) — Following Orientation, students work independently through structured online modules at their own pace. Coursework covers EKG theory and clinical application, rhythm interpretation, real-world case scenarios, and exam preparation. Students have ongoing instructor support throughout this phase.

3. In-Person Hands-On Lab (4 Hours) — Once online coursework is complete, students sign up for one of the monthly 4-hour EKG Skills Labs at our San Diego Learning Lab. This instructor-led session covers hands-on lead placement, EKG machine operation, rhythm recognition, simulated patient interaction, and clinical professionalism. Labs are offered once per month on Mondays, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

4. Supported Clinical Externship (80 Hours) — After completing Orientation, online coursework, and the Hands-On Lab, students move into their 80-hour unpaid clinical externship. WMTC staff work with each student to identify an appropriate externship site and provide ongoing support throughout the placement. Externship hours are logged through the student portal.

San Diego Campus Only — Please Read Before Enrolling

The EKG Technician Hybrid program is offered exclusively at our San Diego campus. Both the required Orientation and the in-person Hands-On Lab must be completed in San Diego.

Please do not enroll in this program unless you are able to attend in-person sessions at our San Diego location.

Friday Night EKG Study Nights — Included at No Extra Cost

Every Friday evening, WMTC hosts open study sessions at our San Diego Learning Lab (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST). Four of these Fridays each semester are dedicated EKG Study Nights — focused review sessions covering rhythm interpretation, lead placement, EKG machine operation, and exam prep.

EKG Study Night dates (Fall 2026): September 11 · October 9 · November 6 · December 18. All are Fridays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM PST at 1814 Fifth Ave, Suite 101, San Diego.

These are separate from the Monday In-Person Hands-On Lab. Study Nights are open to all enrolled WMTC students at no additional charge — sign up through your Student Portal.

Looking for a Lighter Option? See the EKG Online Program

The EKG Technician Online program ($900) includes 80 hours of self-paced online theory and a single 4-hour hands-on lab — without the orientation, CPR certification, or externship.

If you already have clinical experience or simply want to earn your NHA EKG certification at a lower cost, the Online program may be the right fit.

Program Dates

How It Works: After enrolling, you will be registered for an orientation session where you will get set up and ready to go. From there, you work through the curriculum individually at your own pace. Please allow 24 business hours for your account to be set up after enrollment. You will receive an invitation to log in to your NHA account by email once your account is ready. When registering with NHA you will be asked when you plan to complete your program — you are welcome to enter any date, as this is simply an NHA reporting tool and does not affect your access or timeline.

On-Campus NHA Test Dates