Respiratory Therapy

Explore a rewarding career advancing community care with clinical care.

  • Extensive clinical experiences during the third year of our accredited program in hospital and community care settings
  • Access to state-of-the-art equipment and simulation techniques in on-site labs
  • Graduates are eligible to write the national licensing exam, the HPTC exam, which once passed allows graduates to work in Canada as a Registered Respiratory Therapist

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Winter 2025

No

Fall 2025

Yes

Schedule

Winter 2025
Level 01
Spring 2025
Level 02
Fall 2025
Level 03
Winter 2026
Level 04
Spring 2026
Co-op 01
Fall 2026
Co-op 02

Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma (3 Years)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Health Sciences

School

School of Health Studies

Campus

Ottawa

Work Integrated Learning

The Respiratory Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you for success in the profession of respiratory therapy. With access to state-of-the-art equipment, simulation techniques and clinical placements, you gain the hands-on skills necessary for employment.

Learn to practice competently, safely and effectively in diverse practice settings. By the end of the program, you demonstrate the ability to work as a team member in support of clients` respiratory care....(read more)

Overview

Explore a rewarding career advancing community care with clinical care.

The Respiratory Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you for success in the profession of respiratory therapy. With access to state-of-the-art equipment, simulation techniques and clinical placements, you gain the hands-on skills necessary for employment.

Learn to practice competently, safely and effectively in diverse practice settings. By the end of the program, you demonstrate the ability to work as a team member in support of clients` respiratory care.

You participate in clinical lab simulations and apply theory to clinical practice. You also complete more than 1,200 hours in clinical placements, which may require relocation for a portion or for the full placement to another clinical setting across Ontario. These experiences take place in various settings: general wards, emergency departments, neonatal intensive care units, and operating units. Graduates are eligible to take the National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies credential exam, which is required to work in Canada and to use the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Graduates typically find employment as/in:

  • staff therapists in hospitals
  • adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units
  • emergency departments and cardiopulmonary diagnostic units
  • the private sector in community care, medical sales, dental offices or research

Graduates may choose to pursue post-graduate studies in areas such as polysomnography, anesthesia assistant or cardiopulmonary perfusion.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Are able to work effectively in stressful situations.
  • Have strong observational and analytical skills.
  • Possess an applied technical aptitude.
  • Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills while interacting with patients, their families and other members of the healthcare team.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Successful completion of the National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies credential exam allow graduates to work in Canada. This exam is conducted by the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care (CBRC). Students apply to the CBRC in the third year of the program in order to write the exam upon graduation. Graduates and Registered Respiratory Therapists working in regulated provinces must be a member of their Regulatory College, the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO).

Graduates typically find employment as staff therapists in hospitals. They work wards, adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, emergency departments and cardiopulmonary diagnostic units. Graduates may also find employment in the private sector in community care, medical sales, physicians` or dental offices or research. Graduates may pursue post-graduate studies in such areas as polysomnography, anesthesia assistant or cardiopulmonary perfusion.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Provide cardio-respiratory care in compliance with relevant legislation, professional standards, codes of ethics and practice setting policies and procedures.
  2. Use preventive measures that contribute to a culture of patient and employee health and safety within a range of practice settings.
  3. Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and communicate in a culturally sensitive manner with diverse patients/clients and their families to support cardio-respiratory health.
  4. Collaborate with patients/clients and members of the inter-professional health care team to optimize cardio-respiratory health and well-being.
  5. Assess and interpret relevant diagnostic and patient information when treating patients/clients who are experiencing a range of cardio-respiratory conditions.
  6. Develop patient`s/client`s plan of care in collaboration with patients/clients and health care team members by identifying priorities, establishing goals and determining interventions to support optimal cardio-respiratory outcomes.
  7. Select, implement, evaluate and modify therapeutic cardio-respiratory interventions to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care in a range of practice settings.
  8. Develop, implement and evaluate cardio-respiratory related learning plans in collaboration with patients/clients, families and health care team members to support client independence and self-management.
  9. Complete written and electronic documentation of patient/client care to meet legal, organizational and professional requirements.
  10. Read, interpret and participate in research and use relevant evidence-based findings to inform and guide respiratory therapy practice.
  11. Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development activities to maintain and enhance competence in the field of respiratory therapy.
  12. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program related expenses include:

  • Books and non-disposable supplies cost approximately $2,200 per year, excluding the clinical year, and can be purchased from the campus store. For more information visit www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials.
  • The uniform required for clinical site activities (all three years) costs approximately $300.
  • Throughout the program, students are required to attend clinical experiences at various sites in Ottawa, Kingston, Pembroke, Brockville and Belleville. Additional sites are under review. Third-year students are placed either in Kingston/Belleville/Brockville, or in Ottawa/Pembroke/Brockville. Students should note that additional sites are being reviewed across Ontario and additional relocation may be required. All students must be aware that they are required to relocate for all or a portion of the third year of the program. All expenses, such as travel, parking and accommodation for these experiences are the responsibility of the student.
  • Prior to clinical practicums, students require training in Healthcare Provider Level CPR, Standard First Aid, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Health and Safety, WHMIS, OWHSA training and approved Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). There are some additional costs associated with the training that should be anticipated by students which are not covered by tuition fees including the cost of a Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS).
  • The National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies credential exam fee is currently $900 (+HST) and subject to change.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
  • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
  • General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Mathematics, Grade 12 (MAP4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Biology, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Chemistry, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Physics, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • All applicants must complete an assessment of their knowledge and skills through the Test Centre, and pay an exam fee. Results from the Algonquin College Health Program Admissions Test (AC-HPAT) will be utilized to establish minimum eligibility and applicant ranking. The AC-HPAT can only be written once per academic cycle. For further information on the HPAT and how to book your assessment, please visit Algonquin`s Test Centre.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.

Not sure if you meet all of the requirements? Academic Upgrading may be able to help with that: https://www.algonquincollege.com/access/.

International Applicants:
International applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements are required to complete preparatory courses (4-months in duration): Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS). Students who successfully complete the introduction will then proceed to their original health program of choice. The ICHS requires applicants to submit an academic IELTS score.

Please click this link for more information: https://www.algonquincollege.com/healthandcommunity/ICHS/.

Accepted applicants must:
Complete the ParaMed Clinical/Field Pre-Placement Health Requirements Form by the date indicated at the top of the form. Immunization for Hepatitis B is required. An immunization form for returning students must be submitted prior to the start of the second and third year. This will only apply to these students attending clinical placement in second and third year.

Provide proof of current Healthcare Provider Level CPR and Standard First Aid Certificate. Recertification of BLS is required annually. Currency of BLS and Standard First Aid is required throughout the program.

Police Records Check Documentation:
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Record Check program requirements.

Successful completion of clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Respiratory Therapy program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.

Clinical Placement Eligibility:
Students must complete all ParaMed Clinical/Field Pre-Placement Health requirements one (1) month prior to starting clinical placements. Details regarding the requirements including immunizations, may be found in the form mentioned above. It will be provided to you in Level 02 of the program.

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS), which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.

It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. Obtaining this documentation may be a lengthy process so submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Chair.

An updated PRCSVS must be submitted at the beginning of each year of the program. Students will not be permitted to attend clinical until a clear PRCSVS is received by the clinical site(s).

Application Information

RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Program Code 0606X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Additional Information

Program Resources

Students complete limited clinical experience in year two, mainly as an observer.

The primary clinical experience, year three, involves rotations in various clinical settings such as: wards, intensive care, pulmonary and cardiac diagnostics, pediatric/neonatal care, operating rooms and community care for a maximum of 31 weeks. This does not include break weeks. Note, the length of clinical experience is under review. Third year clinical experience is completed during a 12-month period, beginning in either May or August, and finishing between March and June of the following calendar year. Students should expect to do combinations of 8-10 and 12-hour shifts inclusive of days, evenings, nights and weekends. Student`s schedules are assigned in blocks; therefore, start and end times of the total clinical experience varies with block assignments. Students must comply with the code of ethics and standards of practice of both the provincial regulatory body and the national professional association, as well as the policies of the clinical sites.

All costs associated with clinical experience, such as travel, parking and relocation/accommodations are the responsibility of the student.

During the clinical placement, if there is significant professional/safety infractions, students will be removed from the clinical site and pending results of an investigation may receive an F grade for the clinical placement course. If this results in a break in clinical placement of one term or more, the student will have to enroll and pass a mandatory Continuing Education course to update skills. The cost of the Continuing Education course will be dependent on the total hours required.

This program is offered on a full-time basis only. Individual courses are available only to those registered full-time in the program.

Contact

Treena Hanschke

Program/Clinical Coordinator

Sharon Lightfoot

Professor

lightfs@algonquincollege.com

613-727-4723, ext. 5274

Room B246s

View Bio

Sharon Lightfoot

Professor

lightfs@algonquincollege.com

613-727-4723, ext. 5274

A graduate of both the University of Ottawa (BSc. Kin, 1991) and Algonquin College (Respiratory Therapy, 1995), Sharon has been at Algonquin College since 2004. Her clinical experience prior to coming to the college included 10 years as a general duty Respiratory Therapist at the General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital, where she worked in the Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU, the Emergency Department and the general wards. Courses taught here at the college include Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Blood Analysis and Mechanical Ventilation.

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