Respiratory Therapy

School of Health Sciences

Faculty of Health

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in helping people with cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) problems. They take care of patients using advanced medical tools and techniques.

They are key healthcare specialists who administer life-saving cardiopulmonary treatments, including oxygen therapy, artificial airway management, and mechanical ventilation for critically ill patients. They treat all age groups, from newborns to the elderly.

What are the main responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory Therapists are key members of the interprofessional team whose responsibilities may include:

Assessing patietns with breathing difficulties
Managing ventilators for critically ill patients
Administering oxygen therapy and inhaled medications
Assisting with and managing artificial airways
Performing diagnostic tests
Invasive vascular procedures
Responding to medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and trauma
Patient education

Where do Respiratory Therapists work?

Respiratory Therapists work in many different places, including hospitals, clinics, labs, and even in patients' homes. You鈥檒l find them caring for newborns in nurseries, and providing life support in intensive care units and emergency departments. They also provide treatment in rehabilitation centers and community healthcare clinics.

Respiratory Therapists may also work in related areas:

Pulmonary function labs
Sleep clinics
Smoking cessation programs
Medical equipment sales
Education
Research

How do I become a Respiratory Therapist?

To become a Respiratory Therapist, individuals must attend and successfully complete an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.

The School of Health Sciences offers a four year Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree program, which includes theory and practice. Students will take core professional development courses with a concentration on respiratory therapy specific skills. A diploma option is possible after completion of Year 3.

Respiratory Therapy students are eligible to write the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) exam upon successful completion of Year 3, when all requirements for a diploma exit have been met, even if they choose to complete Year 4. Those who pass the exam may use the designation "Registered Respiratory Therapist" (RRT). Upon successful completion of the HPTC exam, one may work as an RRT while completing Year 4.

91短视频's Respiratory Therapy program curriculum offers all the necessary competencies to challenge the HPTC professional examination.

Is Respiratory Therapy right for me?

Respiratory Therapy can be an excellent career for people who enjoy healthcare, science, patient interaction, and advanced medical technology. It is a profession that combines technical expertise with compassionate patient care.

You may be well-suited for Respiratory Therapy if you:

Enjoy working with people: Respiratory Therapists interact closely with patients throughout diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Strong communication skills, empathy, and professionalism are essential, especially when working with anxious or seriously ill patients;
Are interested in healthcare and science: A strong interest in anatomy, physiology, cardiopulmonary physiology, and how the body functions is important. Respiratory Therapists must understand both normal and abnormal physiological processes;
Like hands-on work: Respiratory therapy involves operating specialized life-saving equipment such as oxygen therapy devices and mechanical ventilators;
Have strong attention to detail: Small technical errors can affect patient care and safety. Accuracy and careful observation are critical in operating life support equipment;
Can think critically: Respiratory Therapists regularly assess patients, adapt therapeutic interventions, troubleshoot technical issues, and recognize abnormal findings that may require immediate attention
Work well under pressure: Healthcare environments can be fast-paced and emotionally demanding. Respiratory Therapists need to remain calm, adaptable, and professional during emergent and stressful situations (such as cardiac arrests, traumas, high-risk deliveries, etc), or difficult patient and family interactions;
Value lifelong learning: Therapeutic interventions and clinical practices continue to evolve. Successful Respiratory Therapists are committed to ongoing learning and professional development.

You may not be well-suited for Respiratory Therapy if you dislike or find it difficult to:

Work closely with people who are sick, in pain, anxious, or emotionally distressed
Pay close attention to detail for long periods of time
Follow strict safety protocols and procedures consistently
Work with needles and other invasive procedures
Stand for long periods and assist with physically demanding patient care and heavy lifting
Work independently while using strong clinical judgment
Stay calm during emergencies, trauma situations, or when encountering serious diagnoses

What are the essential skills and attributes of a Respiratory Therapist?

A strong Respiratory Therapist combines technical expertise, clinical judgment, communication skills, and professionalism. The best therapists are not only skilled at performing therapeutic interventions 鈥� they help patients feel safe, obtain accurate diagnostic information, and adapt effectively when clinical situations change.

Successful Respiratory Therapists have:
A strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, clinical practice guidelines, along with technical proficiency in respiratory therapy equipment. They demonstrate excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, strong attention to detail, sound clinical judgment, and adaptability in fast-paced, changing healthcare environments.

Respiratory Therapists work closely with patients during vulnerable and sometimes stressful situations. Strong interpersonal skills help create a safe and supportive experience for patients. A Respiratory Therapist should be empathetic and compassionate, possessing the emotional intelligence to recognize and respond appropriately to patient needs, concerns, and emotions. They must maintain professionalism during stressful situations and communicate clearly and effectively with both patients and healthcare teams.

It is also essential that Respiratory Therapists demonstrate professional and ethical practice, including a strong commitment to radiation safety, patient confidentiality, and quality patient care. They should be reliable, organized, and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Finally, successful Respiratory Therapists are committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development. Advances in medical technology and best practice guidelines continue to shape the profession, requiring therapists to remain current, adaptable, and resilient under pressure.

For further details, please review the .

Entrance Requirements

To be considered for admission, High School applicants require grade 12 academic English, Math, Chemistry, and one of Biology or Physics with no mark below 70% in each of these courses and an overall minimum average of 75%. Post-secondary applicants require a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.30 scale), with no grade lower than C in prerequisite courses.聽

Applicants are also required to submit non-academic documents to be considered for admission.

The Respiratory Therapy program accepts 24 total students annually.

1 seat in the Nuclear Medicine Technology program is reserved for residents from PEI. Priority for all other seats will be given to qualified Nova Scotia residents.聽 If seats remain, residents of other maritime provinces followed by residents across Canada will be considered.

Due to residency restrictions and limited capacity, international applicants will not be considered for admission to the BHSc program.

Admission is competitive, and meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

For further details on the application process and other considerations, please review our Admissions wepbage.

Courses in the Respiratory Therapy Program

Examples of Courses in the Program:

Anatomy & Physiology
Cardiopulmonary Physiology
Respiratory Disease and Therapeutics
Human Pregnancy and Fetal/Newborn Development
Mechanical Ventilation
Foundations of Health Care Practice
Health Care Ethics
Statistics
Research Methods

View all required courses and descriptions for the Respiratory Therapy Program 禄

Clinical Education

One of the benefits of studying at the School of Health Sciences is the opportunity to do hands-on clinical work. In years 1, 2, and 3, every student spends 6-8 weeks during the summer term completing a clinical practicum in a healthcare setting. In addition, third year students complete multiple clinical education courses directly in the clinical environment to help prepare them for entry to practice.

Most students complete their practicums throughout Atlantic Canada, while others travel to locations across the country. Students should be prepared to travel outside of Halifax or their home communities for their clinical placements. Placement opportunities are based on clinical site availability and are subject to change from year to year. Health Sciences students are provided with more information about availability and options before each clinical experience.

Accreditation

Accreditation Canada is the program's accrediting body. Further information can be found on , including a list of all accredited Respiratory Therapy programs within Canada.

Professional Associations

is the national professional association for Respiratory Therapists. RTs employed in Nova Scotia must be licensed by the , which is the provincial regulator of public interest.

Registration with NSRRT is required to practice professionally, and members must undergo continuing professional development to maintain active registration.

Job Opportunities

Respiratory Therapists are in high demand provincially, as well as throughout Canada.

Registered Respiratory Therapists are qualified to work anywhere in Canada.

For current job opportunities, please visit:

Ready to apply?

Please review our Admissions webpage, which includes information on the application process, non-academic requirements, and other considerations, such as additional costs and residency eligibility.