In your career as a medical assistant, you may be called on to do numerous clinical tasks. If you work in a hospital, or if you work in a cardiologist’s office, you may be familiar with electrocardiograms (EKG). An EKG is a common non-invasive test which can help identify different heart conditions.
Knowing that medical assistants have certain restrictions on what they can and cannot do, you may be wondering whether they can perform EKGs.
Let’s look at what EKGs are, and how physicians use them to diagnose patients.
What is an EKG?
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG test (or an ECG) is a non-invasive procedure used to diagnose potential problems with your heart by measuring electrical activity.
With each beat of your heart, and electrical impulse moves through the heart, creating a wave that causes the heart muscles to squeeze and pump blood through the heart. By measuring the fast the heart beats and the electrical waves, doctors can diagnose different types of heart conditions or determine whether the heart is working healthy.
The most common type of electrocardiogram is known as a 12-lead EKG, with electrodes placed at specific points on the torso and arms to measure electric waves. Physicians use the information from the EKG to find the position and size of the heart’s individual chambers. The EKG also helps doctors diagnose whether you’ve had a heart attack, heart failure or heart damage. If you have an abnormal heart rhythm or your pacemaker is faulty, an EKG can also reveal that information.
The EKG was developed in 1903 by a Dutch physician named William Einthoven. It measures and maps electrical voltage from the heart from different angles, converting this information into wave patterns which a doctor can read and analyze. Cardiologists look at the peaks and valleys in the waveform to make a diagnosis of how well your heart is functioning.
What is an EKG Used For?
An EKG is used for recognizing symptoms of heart conditions, such as irregular heartbeat rhythms, artery blockages, heart damage, or past heart attacks.
A doctor will typically order an EKG if the patient is experiencing discomfort or chest pains, or if the doctor suspects they have suffered a heart attack or other cardiovascular condition. Older patients may be scheduled an EKG as part of a regular health maintenance plan. EKGs can be performed in a medical office, hospital, or ambulatory service.
How Does an EKG Work?
Electrodes are placed on specific points on your chest, arms, and legs to measure electrical impulses from your heartbeat. The electrical information is sent through wires to a specialized computer that turns the impulse information into a waveform chart. This chart can be interpreted by a cardiologist to diagnose the health of the heart and find any cardiovascular issues.
Can a Medical Assistant do an EKG?
In California, medical assistants are allowed to perform electrocardiograms (EKG) under the supervision of a physician. They are not allowed to interpret the results of an EKG, a physician or someone licensed to practice medicine must do this.
Different states may have different regulations for what medical assistants are allowed to do, but in most states, a medical assistant can administer an EKG if they are certified and trained, under a doctor’s supervision.
Some employers may look for candidates with EKG certification, but it is not explicitly required in California if you are a certified medical assistant.
Medical assistants with EKG training and certification may also be called EKG technicians.
Who Is Allowed to Do an EKG?
A medical professional who is an expert in heart healthcare, like a cardiologist, usually orders and performs an EKG. However, other healthcare providers can perform this test if they are under the supervision of a physician, or they are licensed to practice medicine.
In situations where the patient must get the test before a regularly scheduled appointment, such as in an ambulance or in the emergency room, an EKG may be performed.
Physicians, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners may perform an EKG. Doctors usually order an EKG test to administered. Medical assistants in most states, including California, may perform a EKG under the supervision of a licensed doctor, but may not interpret the results of the test, or provide advice to a patient regarding the test results.
When Is an EKG Performed?
An EKG can be performed during any routine physical examination where the physician is screening for heart conditions. If the patient has a family history of cardiovascular issues, the doctor may order an EKG during a routine checkup.
If the patient is experiencing any symptoms that may indicate heart issues, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or palpitations, the doctor may order an EKG. When a patient is preparing for certain types of surgery an EKG may be ordered prior to scheduling surgery to make sure they can withstand the surgery.
Preparing Patients for an EKG
Medical assistants may help prepare patients for an EKG by having them lie down on the examination table, after which they attach electrodes to specific points on the body.
A 12-lead EKG has ten electrodes and twelve leads that produce a waveform chart. The twelve reference points created in this EKG produce six waves, identified as P, Q, R, S, and T waves. Each electrode records the electric impulses from the heart at a different angle. This test takes about three minutes to complete and gives the physician a complete view of the heart.
A medical assistant who works for a cardiologist may also assist with a stress test EKG. This is when the patient raises the heart rate by walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle. For these patients, the medical assistant will always be accompanied by a physician. Stress test EKGs are usually ordered for patients who are already experiencing cardiac symptoms.
Become a Certified Medical Assistant in About 36 Weeks
If you want to start your medical career as a medical assistant, Campus Sacramento, formerly MTI College, has a training program to teach you the skills you need to begin your career. Our Medical Assistant training program is about 36 weeks long, and helps you earn your NCMA certification. This program is hybrid, much of the coursework can be completed online, with minimal in-person days at our Sacramento campus. For more information, contact our Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.