|
FAQ’s
What is the ACE IT project?
This project was made possible with the assistance of the Government of Ontario. ACE IT stands for Algonquin College Connecting Expertise of the Internationally Trained. ACEIT has been developed to recognize foreign education and life experience in the health care fields. It offers retraining options for the Canadian health care system.
Who can access the ACE IT project training options?
Individuals with foreign education in health care including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists,
EEG technicians and ECG technicians, with or without Canadian registration, are eligible to apply to ACE IT options. Other health professionals would be assessed on an individual basis by the project Leader. Candidates are assessed on an individual basis to assist them to select a training option that meets their goals and for which they have the requirements.
What options are available within this project?
There are several options available and they will be briefly described here. For further information, see each option description on the website and/or the program brochures available upon request.
- PREP (Preparation for Regulated Employment Program)
This option is only for candidates referred to Algonquin College by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) as being eligible to challenge the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) credential exams. This training option assists individuals to prepare to write this exam for their Canadian credential as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. It consists of remedial study courses taken in an individualized program of studies on a part time basis. The courses are designed to be self study with faculty support available. There may be a component requiring on site experience in simulation of skills in our labs.
This is a program to train individuals as Polysomnography Technologists (sleep studies). It is a taken on a part time basis. There are theory and lab courses as well as clinical practicum. The clinical practicum may be scheduled at sites in eastern Ontario and students may be required to relocate for a 2 week period at their expense.
This is a program to train individuals as Cardiac Diagnostic Technologists such as ECG and stress testing. It is taken on a part time basis. There are theory and lab courses as well as clinical practicum. The clinical practicum may be scheduled at sites in eastern Ontario and students may be required to relocate for 4 – 6 week period at their expense.
- Integration into Respiratory Therapy
This option starts by assessing individuals for their knowledge and clinical skills via the PLAR (prior learning assessment recognition) mechanism. Candidates with significant knowledge and skills associated with Respiratory Therapy may be eligible to integrate into the full time Respiratory Therapy Program to take the courses and clinical experience required to meet requirements for graduation as a respiratory therapist. The course load of an individual may be either part time or full time, depending on their needs and program scheduling. It is intended that they would have a modified program of studies. Program length would vary with individuals.
This is a one year full time program. It trains individuals to assist Anesthesiologists in providing anesthesia in the operating room and other hospital settings.
Can I access all of the options?
Each option has individual admission requirements. The candidates for all options must have foreign education and experience in the health fields. All candidates must have evidence of their education, certificates and if possible transcripts. All candidates must be tested by the Algonquin College testing centre for English Language Benchmark, level 8 in all 4 sections; speaking, listening, reading and writing.
The PREP option is limited to individuals who have been assessed by the CRTO as having equivalent knowledge/skills, or components thereof, to a Canadian Registered Respiratory Therapist. They may be assessed by PLAR for verification prior to entry to the PREP option. If not eligible to enter PREP, these individuals may be eligible for Integration into the Respiratory Therapy Program to attain the required skills and knowledge.
The Anesthesia Assisting option is limited to foreign educated physicians, nurses or respiratory therapists with skills and knowledge in airway management, line insertion, assessment of the critically ill and mechanical ventilation. Two years of critical care or anesthesia experience is required.
How will my education and life experience be assessed?
Candidates are assessed on an individual basis. The process may include one or more of the following:
- review of formal documentation.
- review of a self assessment.
- interview to assess currency of education and work experiences.
- formal written assessment of relevant theory content areas.
- assessment of knowledge and skills application in computer simulated case studies.
- formal assessment of clinical skills in a simulated setting.
- for the PLAR option a final assessment in the clinical setting will be completed.
What if I don’t meet entrance requirements for the option that meets my goals?
Algonquin may be able to assist you in attaining the requirements to apply for the desired training option. This would be based on individual needs and could include such steps as
- accessing an English as a Second Language for Health Care course through the English department.
- remedial self study packages for theory related to program options such as respiratory therapy, with subsequent testing for verification of successful completion.
- referral to distance study courses with our partner organizations such as Thompson River University and Fanshawe College. These courses would assist individuals to meet entry requirements for Algonquin College’s training options.
What support is available to help me integrate into the Canadian health care system?
Algonquin College’s partner, LASI World Skills, can provide assistance for adoption of the cultural, social and life skills for the Canadian health care system and life in Canada in general. The PREP program has courses that many individuals may wish to access to assist them with integration such as:
- Respiratory Therapy Legislation; this has components specific to Respiratory Therapy, but addresses general legislation as well.
- Ethics in Health Care.
- English as a Second Language for Health Care.
What is the length of the various training options and can they be taken part time?
Training options vary in length and availability. Options offered include:
PREP:
A primarily self study option; offered in a part time program format. Individual courses may be accessed independent of the program. Some courses are self study with online assistance and testing. These can be paced to meet individual’s needs. Other courses require onsite classes and/or labs and clinical simulation. These will be scheduled at one time per semester and with set class/lab times; typically evenings and Saturdays. Completion will vary with the number of courses completed and rate of self progression. Completion of all courses should not exceed one year.
Polysomnography:
This program is offered on a part time basis. Classes and labs may be scheduled on evenings and Saturdays. PLAR may allow individuals to reduce total course hours. Program offered in the Fall term.
Cardiac Diagnostics:
This program is offered on a part time basis. Classes and labs may be scheduled on evenings and Saturdays. PLAR may allow individuals to reduce total course hours. Program is offered in the Winter term.
Anesthesia Assisting:
This is a program that consists of 2 Levels. In Level One, the focus is on technical skills associated with anesthesia. There is a combination of class and labs for skills in a simulated setting In Level Two, the focus is on assisting a physician to maintain anesthesia in traditional OR and non OR settings. The focus is patient related skills. Successful completion of Level One is a requirement for entry to Level Two.
Courses are designed to be delivered on site, but self study (distance) may be feasible for some components. Course scheduling is under development, but is likely to include a minimum of one day per week on site, likely with additional evening classes.
PLAR assessment may allow individuals to reduce course load and program hours.
What are the employment opportunities upon completion of the options and what is a typical pay rate?
PREP:
Individuals who successfully complete this option and go on to successful completion of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists credential exam can work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Typically they work in a hospital setting, but may also work in private clinics, in research or in private industry; such as medical sales. Typical pay for an entry RRT is approximately $28.00 – 31.00 per hour. There is a shortage of RRTs with 97-100 % employment in casual or full time positions. Casual positions typically have full time hours but may be at one or more sites. RRT’s may also elect to enter the Anesthesia Assisting Program.
Polysomnography:
Individuals completing the Polysomnography program may find work as a Polysomnography Technologist in a hospital setting, private clinic or in research. Typical pay for an entry level Technologist is approximately $20.00 per hour. The pay rate increases upon successful completion of the American Polysomnography credential exam. Most employers require certification for continued employment. Individuals would be eligible to challenge this exam after completion of the pre requisite clinical experience hours requirement is met. There is a shortage of Technolgists with expected employment in asual or full time positions. Casual positions typically have full time hours but may be at one or more sites. (The College has no statistics regarding percentage employment for graduates as this is a new program)
Cardiac Diagnostics:
Individuals completing the Cardiac Diagnsotics program may find employment as Technologists in a hospital setting, private clinic or in research. Typical pay for an entry Technologist is approximately $20.00 per hour. There is a shortage of Technologists with expected employment in casual or full time positions. Casual positions typically have full time hours but may be at one or more sites. (The College has no statistics regarding percentage employment for graduates as this is a new program)
Anesthesia Assisting:
This is an emerging profession in the Canadian health care system. Individuals that complete the program would be able to seek employment as an Anesthesia Assistant. It is anticipated that graduates that are Anesthesia Assistants would be likely to have 100% employment in casual or full time positions. It is anticipated that this will be a growing profession in the coming years, due to the shortage of Anesthesiologists and the long waiting periods for surgery. The pay rate for Assistants is yet to be determined, as this role is a new one in Canada. (The College has no statistics regarding percentage employment for graduates as this is a new program)
It should be noted that individuals that complete any of the program options may need to relocate from the Ottawa area to find employment.
Do I need a license or certificate to practice in Ontario?
Not all professions require this.
PREP:
Respiratory Therapy is a regulated profession in Ontario. Therapists must hold a CSRT credential, having successfully completed the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care exam that the CSRT uses for its redentialing purposes. They must also hold a certificate from the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario.
Polysomnography:
There is a credential certificate available, the American Polysomnography credential exam. This certificate is recognized in Canada, as a Canadian credential does not exist to date. The International credential is required within 3 years of employment.
Cardiac Diagnostics
Individuals may challenge the appropriate Canadian Association of Cardiopulmonary Technologists redential exam. This is not required by law in Canada, but some employers may require it for continued employment.
Anesthesia Assisting
This is a new role in Canada. There is no current credential exam. However, it is likely that a credential exam will be a requirement for employment in the future.
|
