The EKG Technician is the person responsible for performing diagnostic tests to access the heart rhythm and rate in patients. EKG’s are also performed before and after operations, during physicals, examinations of patients over 40, for patients with a history of heart disease, when patients are experiencing chest pains and when the Doctor deems it necessary. The well trained EKG technician is an integral part of the management of patients with heart disease. The EKG Technician may also clean equipment, maintain and process data reports. Technicians who have additional training may also perform Holter monitoring or treadmill stress tests. The Holter monitor is a machine that is used to continuously monitor and record the electrical activity of a patient’s heart for a 24-hour period. The majority of EKG technicians are employed by hospitals.