How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Canada

Learn the process of becoming a certified respiratory therapist in Canada.

Breathing and keeping the body's respiratory system is a vital aspect of human health. There are more than 3 million Canadians who are afflicted with serious respiratory diseases, and medical practitioners who specialize in respiratory care are very much in demand. If you want to work in the medical field, consider becoming a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapy is an allied health field that deals with various breathing disorders and diseases.

Instructions

1. Enroll in a Canadian college that offers courses in respiratory therapy. Check out Canadian sites that offer parallel analysis of the respiratory therapy programs, and choose the one that is right for you. The program you choose has to be approved by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists.

2. Attend the respiratory therapy program for three or four years, depending on the school you are applied to. As a student, you are eligible to become a student member of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists.

3. Complete an obligatory practicum, which is part of the program that consists of clinical training in a hospital in Canada. The clinical training is usually a 10-week course, but this will depend on the respiratory therapy program that you applied to. Some programs offer respiratory therapy training in a home care setting as well.

4. Finish all your respiratory therapy courses and exams and receive a certification from your school that you have completed the program.

5. Apply for the official CSRT National Certification Examination. The certification exam is a 6-hour test. Check the dates of the CSRT National Certification Examination well in advance since there are only two examinations each year. The deadline for application is three months prior to the test. Submit the completed application forms and pay the fees for the certification examination to the CSRT office.

6. Pass the CSRT exam and receive your certification to become a CSRT registered respiratory therapist. Your certification is valid in all parts of Canada. However, check your local regulations since some provinces have additional credentials for registered respiratory therapists.

7. Apply for the regular membership at the CSRT. As a member, you will be able to receive professional insurance, the opportunity to participate in the CSRT committees, discounts for CSRT events, preferred rates for home and auto insurance and many other benefits.

References

• The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists: Becoming a Respiratory Therapist
• Canadian Universities: Canada Respiratory Therapy College Programs and Courses
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Respiratory Disease in Canada