Respiratory Therapy

Registered respiratory therapists are life-supporting and life-enhancing health-care professionals dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education of patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary disorders and acute multi-system problems originating from other conditions. Registered respiratory therapists treat patients across a broad age spectrum, caring for infants, children, adults and geriatric patients.

Prospective students must be highly motivated and mature to deal with the stress of emergency care, critical care, home care, shift work, medicine and a difficult training program. Respiratory therapists are required to think independently, exercise good judgment, communicate effectively and work well in multi-disciplinary teams.

Students must have a strong background in the sciences, mathematics and English and are encouraged to visit:

•  a respiratory therapy department in a hospital or in private industry
•  a NAIT information session or open house  
•  industry affiliates
• NAIT Student Recruitment

Note: While schools of respiratory therapy may admit students to a course of studies, the right to practice as a registered respiratory therapist is granted only through the appropriate authority of the province concerned. A person with prior convictions or offences who is contemplating practice as a registered respiratory therapist should communicate with the executive secretary of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists at 1.800.267.3422. In Alberta, contact the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta at 1.800.205.2778.