If you are considering a healthcare career, developing hands-on clinical skills is one of the best ways to get started. Two important technical skills that many healthcare professionals begin with are electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring and blood sample collection (phlebotomy).

Because these procedures are both in high demand and often performed in the same place, some clinical training programs will combine them into one, all-inclusive EKG and Phlebotomy training program. Learning both skills offers a strong foundation in patient care and diagnostic testing and positions you for a number of careers after graduation.

So, let’s get into what the EKG and phlebotomy fields are, how they help patients and professionals, and how you can get started on your journey to patient care.

What are EKG and phlebotomy?

EKG and phlebotomy are among the most common diagnostic procedures used by healthcare providers to gather important information about a patient’s health. They are often the first line of inquiry when healthcare professionals explore how to treat or understand a patient’s needs.

An electrocardiogram, or EKG, records the electrical activity of the heart. During this procedure, electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest, arms, and legs to measure heart rhythms and find potential problems. The results help physicians evaluate heart health and identify issues such as irregular heartbeats or other cardiovascular concerns.

Phlebotomy, on the other hand, focuses on collecting blood samples for lab testing. Blood tests are among the most common diagnostic tools in healthcare, helping providers diagnose and monitor medical conditions and evaluate how well specific treatments are working. As a phlebotomist, you would collect and label blood samples, as well as ensure they are handled correctly.

So, why are these very different methods of diagnosis taught at the same time? Let’s get into it.

Why are EKG and phlebotomy skills often taught together?

Put simply, since heart monitoring and blood testing often occur during the same patient visit, it’s very practical for healthcare professionals to be trained in both.

Plus, patient care professionals often need to perform multiple diagnostic tests to determine the best course of action for a patient. Training in both procedures allows you to help with several parts of the diagnostic process rather than focusing on a single responsibility.

With that said, completing EKG and Phlebotomy training offers several advantages early in your healthcare career:

• Broader clinical skillset
• Greater flexibility in healthcare roles
• Increased value to healthcare employers
• More opportunities in entry-level healthcare positions

In many healthcare facilities, technicians who complete EKG and Phlebotomy courses help physicians, nurses, and lab staff with routine diagnostic testing. Having experience in both areas can make you a valuable member of the care team, not to mention an appealing candidate when applying for jobs.

Beyond that, the data doesn’t lie. Employment for phlebotomists is projected to grow fast, with an estimated 7,900 becoming available in the next 10 years, with approximately 1,900 of these positions for cardiovascular technologists and technicians. These trends show why EKG and Phlebotomy training can be a practical starting point for those interested in healthcare careers.

What you learn in EKG and Phlebotomy courses

When enrolling in EKG and Phlebotomy training, students learn both the technical procedures and the patient interaction skills needed in healthcare settings. Training typically includes classroom instruction combined with hands-on practice so you can develop confidence performing these tasks.

Many EKG and Phlebotomy courses include topics like:

• Blood collection techniques
• Cardiovascular monitoring fundamentals
• Infection control procedures
• Medical terminology
• Patient preparation and communication
• Specimen handling and labeling

Hands-on experience is especially important. You will practice performing venipuncture — the process of poking and drawing blood from a vein — and how to place EKG leads properly to obtain accurate heart readings.

Explore EKG and Phlebotomy training at Goodwin University!

EKG and Phlebotomy training within a Patient Care Associate program

Many people choose to pursue EKG and Phlebotomy training as part of a broader healthcare education pathway.

At Goodwin University, these skills are incorporated into our versatile and robust Patient Care Associate (PCA) program. This program blends patient care training with EKG techniques, venipuncture methods, and hands-on experiences in real-life healthcare settings.

While completing our PCA training program, you will learn how to:

• Assist patients with daily care needs
• Collect blood specimens
• Conduct electrocardiogram tests
• Monitor vital signs
• Support healthcare teams in clinical environments

This combination of training prepares you to work in a variety of healthcare settings while gaining experience across multiple aspects of patient care. Following our Patient Care Associate training program, you will be well-prepared to complete the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensing exam as well as pursue voluntary certifications in EKG and phlebotomy.

And the best part? It just takes a matter of months to complete! The nursing assisting, phlebotomy, and EKG training is delivered over the course of three semesters only.

Career paths with EKG and Phlebotomy training

Completing EKG and Phlebotomy courses opens doors to several entry-level healthcare opportunities. With both skill sets, you can support multiple departments within a healthcare facility.

Some potential career paths include:

• Cardiovascular technician assistant
• EKG technician
• Laboratory assistant
• Patient care associate
• Phlebotomist
• Nursing assistant

You can also work in an array of different healthcare environments, including:

• Assisted living communities
• Doctors’ offices and special clinics
• Home healthcare agencies
• Hospice care centers
• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Long-term care facilities (like nursing homes)
• Rehabilitation centers

Phlebotomists earned a median annual salary of about $41,000 in 2023, while cardiovascular technologists and technicians earned a median annual salary of about $66,000 during the same year.

Healthcare employers often look for people who can contribute to multiple parts of the diagnostic process. Completing EKG and Phlebotomy training can help you build a versatile skillset that supports a wide range of patient care activities.

Start your path with EKG and Phlebotomy classes

If you want to enter the healthcare field and begin working with patients, EKG and Phlebotomy classes can be an excellent place to start. Training programs like these can help you develop the technical healthcare skills you need while also learning how to interact with patients in a professional clinical environment.

With the right training and practical experience, you can begin developing the skills needed to grow within the healthcare field and explore a variety of career opportunities.

Ready to build your hands-on healthcare skills? Explore our Patient Care Associate program to see how we prepare you for entry-level roles supporting patients and healthcare teams.