HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path starts in high school with biology, chemistry, math, and physics. After that, many Canadian students complete a respiratory therapy diploma or similar postsecondary program at a college, institute, or university. These programs usually include classroom learning and supervised clinical practice in hospitals or other health-care settings. Some graduates then begin entry-level work as respiratory therapists, while others gain experience in areas such as critical care, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, or home care. Exact hiring expectations can vary by province, employer, and specialty.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Perform diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary functions tests
- Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to administer treatments such as oxygen, oxygen-air mixtures, humidified air or medications
- Operate, monitor, maintain and test a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Assess patients and perform or assist with interventions such as airway maintenance, line insertions, inductions and intubations
- Perform artificial respiration and external cardiac massage
- Assist with transport of high-risk patients
- Supervise and train students and other respiratory therapists
- Participate in home care programs for chronic respiratory patients and provide patient and family education
- Participate in research related to cardiac and pulmonary disorders.
- Respiratory therapists may specialize in areas such as anaesthesia, critical care, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and respiratory home care.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Business ProceduresInterpersonal skillsMultidisciplinary teamwork