Program Overview
This program develops the student's cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills as described in the goals and outcomes of the National Competency Framework for Respiratory Therapy in order to perform as an entry-level Respiratory Therapist. Competency is acquired through didactic learning and performance assessment in the laboratory and clinical setting. The curriculum addresses analysis and problem-solving, patient assessment/diagnostics/intervention, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and more - all built on strong foundational theory and learning. Program graduates must meet the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice.
Program Highlights
- Program objectives are aligned with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario Standards of Practice.
- This is an accredited program.
- Graduates of accredited Canadian Respiratory Therapy programs are eligible to apply to write the national certification examination in Respiratory Therapy administered by Health Professionals Testing Canada.
- Students will have access to and be trained in the Centre for Applied Health Sciences, which features state-of-the-art equipment and resources.
Career Opportunities
There are a wide variety of employment opportunities in a number of diverse settings in which graduates may practice. This includes hospital settings such as ICU, operating and emergency rooms, community agencies, long-term care agencies, medical sales and services, educational institutions, patient education, rehabilitation, and research.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus successful completion of:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U
- Grade 12 Math (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Physics (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Chemistry (C) or (U)
OR
- The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate or equivalent courses from the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Respiratory Therapy Admission Guidelines document also found on the Admission Procedures page.
Important Information
This is an OVERSUBSCRIBED program. Apply by February 1 to be considered for this program. See Admission Procedures for details.
Selection Procedure
A score is determined for each applicant derived from the required subjects for admission. Scores are then ranked by highest score and selection is made for the available positions and places on the waiting list.
For high school applicants, all of your Grade 11 courses and the first semester of your Grade 12 courses will be averaged and ranked in order to make the selection for acceptance into this program. When final grades are released applicants must meet the minimum requirement in mandatory courses.
Field/Clinical Placements
Applicants are required to have the following completed prior to clinical placement. You are responsible for the associated costs.
- Employer requirement for up-to-date CLEAR POLICE CLEARANCE (vulnerable sector screening)
- MUST be obtained by you, the student.
- Obtain Police Clearance (vulnerable sector screening) prior to beginning of semester three
- Clinical placements may be on day, afternoon or weekend shifts ANYWHERE within Ontario.
- You are responsible for travel and accommodation costs.
Health Requirements
- Medical Requirements Form.
- A satisfactory medical exam.
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
- Applicants accepted to the program will receive appropriate medical forms and instructions for completion/submission. Students in the program are expected to keep immunizations up-to-date as required by our clinical partners i.e. TB testing and associated documentation will be required yearly.
Other Requirements
Applicants are required to have the following completed prior to the end of the first semester (proof/documentation must be submitted):
- Standard First Aid (online courses are NOT acceptable)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) BLS with AED (Annual renewal is required regardless of the expiry date on the card. Online courses are not acceptable)
- N95 Mask Fit Testing
- NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student to maintain/renew before expiry certification in First Aid, CPR and N95 Fit Testing throughout the length of the program, including during clinical placements.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Placement Requirements
This is to make you aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all of our clinical placement sites are requiring students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a clinical placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and or other requirements may become mandatory for clinical placement, however, they are not currently required.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Respiratory Therapy (Ontario College Advanced Diploma) (MTCU Code 61615)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Provide cardio-respiratory* care in compliance with relevant legislation, professional standards, codes of ethics and practice setting* policies and procedures.
- Use preventive measures that contribute to a culture of patient and employee health and safety within a range of practice settings*.
- Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and communicate in a culturally sensitive manner with diverse patients/clients* and their families to support cardio-respiratory* health.
- Collaborate with patients/clients* and members of the inter-professional health care team to optimize cardio-respiratory* health and well-being.
- Assess and interpret relevant diagnostic and patient information when treating patients/clients* who are experiencing a range of cardio-respiratory* conditions.
- 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.
- Select, implement, evaluate and modify therapeutic cardio-respiratory* interventions to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care in a range of practice settings*.
- 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.
- Complete written and electronic documentation of patient/client* care to meet legal, organizational and professional requirements.
- Read, interpret and participate in research* and use relevant evidence-based findings to inform and guide respiratory therapy practice.
- Engage in reflective practice* and ongoing professional development activities to maintain and enhance competence in the field of respiratory therapy.
Additional Information
- Requirements for First Year Students
- As of Fall 2019, the Respiratory Therapy program has adopted digital textbooks. Ebook/digital prices may be found through the Bookstore website.