School of Health and Life Sciences

Respiratory Therapy

Sep 07, 2021
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Campus

The location where your NAIT courses will be held.

Credential

The type of certification (degree, diploma, certificate) you will earn after completing your program.

  • Degree - NAIT offers a number of business degrees and applied science and technology degrees accredited by Alberta Advanced Education.
    Applied degree programs offer a stronger emphasis on practical applications of the concepts learned in the classroom
  • Diplomas & Certificates - These credit programs take 1 or 2 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.
  • Journeyman Certificate - Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.
  • Continuing Education/Non-Credit - NAIT offers a wide range of non-credit programs and courses for personal and professional development in a number of interesting and exciting fields. These options are great for people who may be working but are interested in studying as well.

Delivery Options

The flexible schedule options for this course including time of day and full/part-time.

Please note due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these delivery options may shift from term to term. Please consult your program for details on delivery options.

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Length

The average or expected time it will take to complete your program.

Open Studies

Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program.
It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

International Students

Program availability may be limited for international applicants. Contact your student advisor for more information.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced Credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section and on the Transfer Credit Request Form (PDF), your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Students in the program can challenge courses in the program. If you have successful work experience in the applicable field, and you can provide evidence of your skills and knowledge to meet learning outcomes for courses within the program, you may be able to challenge courses through PLAR.

For all course challenges, you must first apply to the program, be accepted and have paid your non-refundable tuition deposit. You can only receive credit for up to 50% of any NAIT credit program.

To learn more and to begin the process, read through the following

  1. PLAR Respiratory Therapy - RSCH1100
  2. PLAR Request Form

If you have successful experience that can provide evidence of your skills and knowledge that would meet learning outcomes for course(s) within the Respiratory Therapy program, you may be able to challenge the following course through PLAR: RSCH1100.

Contact the program for additional information about Advanced Credit.

Program delivery methods for Fall 2021 and later have not been confirmed. Delivery shown is based on current delivery methods amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Respiratory Therapists are dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education of patients with heart and lung disorders. As a Respiratory Therapist, you’ll work with patients of all ages, from infants and children to adults and geriatrics. The Respiratory Therapist is a crucial life-saving and life-supporting professional, and as a NAIT graduate you’ll be well equipped to work in a wide variety of hospital and health care settings.
Grad Employment Rate   Median Starting Salary  

Employment rates reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and do not guarantee future employment opportunities.

Salaries reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and are not a guarantee of future alumni income.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

Learn to plan and implement diagnostic procedures for patients suffering from a wide range of heart and lung disorders. This 3-year diploma program will feature simulation experience, with classroom and lab instruction, combined with clinical rotations in various hospital settings. The program features hands-on training in areas such as:

  • human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology
  • airway management and cardiopulmonary testing, monitoring and resuscitation
  • assessment of cardio-respiratory patient status; ventilator support; testing and evaluation of respiratory equipment

You can expect to spend, on average:

27 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester.

10 to 15 hours per week studying and completing class assignments.

Upon successful completion of the RET program the graduate is eligible to challenge the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) entry-to-practice certification examination to become a registered respiratory therapist.

In order to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in the province of Alberta, technologists are required to be registered with the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta to obtain a license to practice.

Respiratory Therapy student

Open Studies Pathway

You now have an additional pathway to the School of Health and Life Sciences at NAIT. Complete one or more select Open Studies courses to be guaranteed a program entrance interview.

Enter the workforce with confidence

Registered respiratory therapists are responsible for assessment, therapeutic intervention and follow-up in a variety of clinical settings such as:

  • critical care units
  • operating rooms
  • emergency departments
  • hospital wards
  • sleep laboratories
  • pulmonary function laboratories
  • hyperbaric oxygen programs
  • community-based care programs
  • research
Respiratory Therapy Group

Have questions? We've got answers

If you’re looking for more information or have a question about the Respiratory Therapy program, we can help.

Our program advisors are here to answer your questions.

Email: RET@nait.ca
Tel: 780.491.3194
Fax: 780.471.8770


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Pushing the limits of simulation training

NAIT's Simulation Centre re-creates the real world of health-care careers

Alumni Profile: Lindsay Beaudry

Midway through her program at NAIT, she suffered a life-threatening brain bleed. Not only did she survive the brain surgery, she went on to work in the neurosciences ICU that saved her life.

Keeping it Real

From practicing on high-fidelity manikins to learning on the latest software, watch how NAIT students practice the best patient care.

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Legend

Term Definition
Open Program still has seats available.
Waitlisting Program is full and qualified applicants are being placed on a waitlist. For information about waitlists, please visit the Waitlist FAQs.

If you’re on a non-competitive waitlist, you should consider NAIT’s Academic Upgrading program or NAIT Equivalency Tests to become a more competitive applicant.

There is no guarantee that waitlisted applicants will be offered a seat, however it is common for seats to become available until the start of class. As seats become available, they are filled from the waitlist.
Closed Program is no longer accepting applications.
N/A Not available for this term.


*Program availability is subject to change without notice.