Graduate Information
NAIT Certification
Diploma in Respiratory Therapy
Attributes of Successful Graduates
Clinical training occurs in a variety of learning environments and requires considerable self-discipline and motivation. Additionally, since respiratory therapists often work in high stress areas such as the intensive care unit, they must be able to cope with the stress of dealing with critically ill patients. Further, respiratory care is a 24-hour concern and all major hospitals, including private companies and clinics, maintain a full shift of respiratory therapy personnel seven days a week. Irregular hours and shiftwork are to be expected.
Successful graduates of the program are typically:
- interested in helping people
- highly motivated
- mature and able to deal with stress
- able to think independently
- capable of exercising good judgment
- able to communicate effectively
- able to work well in multi-disciplinary teams
- strong in the subjects of science, mathematics and English
Advanced Credit Possibilities
Graduates of the NAIT Respiratory Therapy program are eligible for transfer credit to the following degree programs:
- NAIT, Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management (BTech)
- Athabasca University: Bachelor of Management, Bachelor of Science -Human Science
- Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Memorial University of Newfoundland: Bachelor of Technology
- University of New Brunswick: Bachelor of Applied Management
Post Graduation
To become a registered respiratory therapist, the candidate must:
- graduate from an accredited educational program
- successfully complete the national registration examination set by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
In the month of July following successful completion of this program, eligible candidates will write the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care national exam. Cost of the examination is the responsibility of the student.
Maintaining Registration
- In Alberta: Membership in good standing with the Alberta College and Association of Respiratory Therapy is a requirement for employment in Alberta.
- In other provinces: Please check with the appropriate provincial licensing body or professional association for employment requirements.
Major Skills Acquired
Theoretical and clinical experience encompass the following areas:
- adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units
- wards
- surgical suite
- pulmonary functions
- hyperbaric oxygen unit
- home care
- pulmonary rehabilitation
- sleep diagnostics
- cardiac diagnostics
- bronchoscopy
- emergency room
Major skills learned include:
- critical thinking and analysis in the provision of respiratory therapy
- problem solving, using diagnostic techniques
- specialized patient care in the acute and chronic areas
- evaluation of respiratory equipment and procedures
- consultant skills on respiratory health and well-being of clients in community care settings
The following is a partial list of major activities that a graduate of Respiratory Therapy can undertake:
| Major Skill | Detail |
| Critical thinking and analysis in the provision of respiratory therapy | - Prioritize patients in an emergency situation.
- Analyze data to provide the best care possible.
- Resolve problems at the bedside.
- Establish and maintain treatment priorities and related emergency treatment.
- Work in a constantly changing environment while still providing optimal care for the patient.
- Remain calm in stressful situations.
|
| Problem solving using diagnostic techniques | - Assist the physician to diagnose patients using specialized, highly technical equipment.
- Assess patients on an ongoing basis to establish treatments.
- Recommend specific medical and diagnostic tests to the physician.
- Evaluate blood gas and pulmonary function data.
|
| Specialized patient care in the acute and chronic areas | - Establish and maintain treatment priorities.
- Initiate and provide the appropriate invasive and noninvasive treatments and procedures to patients.
- Maintain, initiate and monitor all respiratory therapy equipment.
- Assess patients on an ongoing basis.
- Work well with a multi-disciplinary health-care team.
- Assist physicians with diagnostic testing using specialized respiratory equipment.
|
| Evaluation of respiratory equipment and procedures | - Maintain and troubleshoot respiratory equipment.
- Identify the proper piece of equipment needed for application.
- Understand how each piece of respiratory equipment works.
|
| Consultant skills on respiratory health in the community | - Effectively communicate with patients, clients, allied health-care workers, physicians and families of patients.
- Work independently in the community.
- Teach patients, families and others about respiratory therapy techniques, treatments and diseases.
|