SAIT RT Flashcards

What does the Respiratory Therapy program train you to do?

Diagnose

Life-saving procedures taught in the program

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced ventilator management

Other therapy skills taught

Oxygen and aerosol therapies to support patient breathing; pulmonary function testing and blood analysis

Where simulations take place

SAIT's Centre for Advanced Patient Care Simulation

Hands-on placement settings

ICU

Program history

Training successful graduates since 1970

Career paths after graduating

Therapist in acute/community care

Personality traits of respiratory therapists (ALIS)

Objective

Key skills needed

Effective communication; organization

Tolerance required

Ability to tolerate the sight of human blood and tissue

Physical demands

Stamina to transport

Emotional/behavioral skills needed

Compassion

PPE requirements

Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for long periods

Work schedule demands

Some roles require extended hours and shift work

Where practicum rotations occur

Adult

Practicum shift timing

Shifts may occur any time of day (including overnights)

Third-year practicum structure

Mostly in the workplace

Practicum location policy

Placement considers your location preference

Special considerations policy for practicum

Not granted based on individual circumstances/preferences

Additional certification required before 5th semester

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (offered by the Canadian Pediatric Society); must remain valid for the entire practicum year

Program accreditation

Accredited by Accreditation Canada

Exam required to practice in Canada

Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) examination

Provincial registration requirement

Most provinces require registration with a provincial regulatory body to work there

Professional membership organization

Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) — membership required to practice in an unregulated province

Alberta-specific language requirement

If your first language isn't English

Conditions respiratory therapists treat (acute/chronic)

Asthma

Other patient groups they work with

Heart disease

General responsibilities

Work with health-care team to manage patient care; assess cardio-respiratory systems; conduct breathing/blood tests and interpret results

Care plan duties

Develop and deliver care plans for patients and measure progress

Medication/therapy duties

Give patients medical gases and aerosol therapies; give medications; provide continuous invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation

Emergency duties

Perform CPR; monitor/stabilize patients during transport within or between hospitals

Newborn/surgical duties

Provide respiratory care for high-risk births; assist anesthesiologists and monitor patients during surgery

Airway duties

Insert and maintain artificial airways (breathing devices)

Education/admin duties

Teach patients to manage chronic breathing issues; keep records of therapies/services; provide smoking cessation education and nicotine replacement therapy

Equipment duties

Operate

Work settings

Hospitals

Typical shift length

Most often work 12-hour shifts; may include weekends

Physical work environment

May spend most hours on feet; ICU/ER roles can be stressful; lifting immobile patients may be required

NOC classification (2023 OaSIS)

32103.01 - Respiratory therapists

NOC classification (2021)

32103 - Respiratory therapists

NOC classification (2016/2011)

3214 - Respiratory therapists

NOC classification (2006)

3214.1 - Respiratory Therapists (individual); D214 in NOC-S grouping

Holland Code work personalities for this occupation (in order)

Social

What "Social" work personality means

Enjoy helping/working with people—teaching

What "Investigative" work personality means

Enjoy thinking deeply

What "Realistic" work personality means

Enjoy working with hands

Abilities sets used to assess fit for this job

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking abilities category

9 abilities: identifying/solving problems

Numbers and Patterns abilities category

10 abilities: math

Physical Activity abilities category

9 abilities: strength

Mind-Body Coordination abilities category

9 abilities: movement control

Senses abilities category

12 abilities: seeing

Traits respiratory therapists need (ALIS "Traits & Skills")

Compassion

What respiratory therapists should enjoy

Dealing with people