Respiratory Therapy

3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma

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Placement opportunities including hospitals, community care and sleep labs.

Overview

Upcoming Intake: Fall 2024: College Drive – North Bay

Learn to evaluate, treat and manage the care of patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Respiratory therapists are an integral part of the health care team providing ventilation and airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen therapy, and assisting with high-risk births and anesthesia in the operating room. The third-year placement includes the Hospital for Sick Children and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, allows students to gain practical experience in neonatal and pediatric settings. Graduates enter this in-demand, lifesaving field and find employment in a variety of dynamic settings.

Your Future Career

  • Hospitals
  • Diagnostic labs
  • Community clinics
  • Home care
  • Education and research

What Your Learn

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Pathophysiology and pharmacology
  • Patient assessment
  • Airway and ventilation management
  • Invasive vascular procedures
  • Cardiac and pulmonary diagnostics

The program has been designed to meet the core and clinical competencies of the Respiratory Therapy Entry to Practice National Competency Framework. These competencies are acquired through didactic and laboratory learning, clinical simulation and clinical practicum. The curriculum focuses on the development of assessment, analysis and critical thinking skills, which are integral to the role of a Respiratory Therapist. The program is accredited by Accreditation Canada.

The program and the profession involve working in an interactive team-based approach.  The Respiratory Therapist works in an area of moderate to high physical and psychological demands and requires a regular demand on sensory attention, as work activities require a need for sustained concentration.

The clinical practicum, 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 34 weeks. Students must be prepared to relocate for completion of clinical practicum as most of the placement assignments are outside of the North Bay area.  All costs associated with clinical practicum, such as travel, parking and relocation/accommodations are the responsibility of the student. Students should expect to do combinations of 8-10 and 12-hour shifts inclusive of days, evenings, nights and weekends.

OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U, any Gr 12 Math (C) or (U), Chemistry: Gr 11 or 12 (C) or (U), (SCH 3U, SCH 4U, SCH 4C); Physics: Gr11 or 12 (C) or (U), (SPH 3U, SPH 4U, SPH 4C)

If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.

View current English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Semester 1

CMM125 College Communication
GENED General Education Elective - Online (RT Sem 1)
IAP100 Anatomy & Physiology I
RTT103 RT Equipment - Theory & Practice
RTT104 Applied Science for RT
RTT109 Medical Terminology and Infection Control

Semester 2

CMM230 Workplace Communications
HUM200 Group Dynamics
RTT120 Respiratory Care Procedures
RTT165 Transition to Practice
RTT205 Mechanical Ventilation I
RTT212 Anatomy & Physiology II

Semester 3

GENED General Education Elective - Online (RT Sem 3)
RTT220 Pathophysiology
RTT235 Cardiac Function Testing
RTT265 Research in Practice
RTT270 Pulmonary Function Testing
RTT125 Arterial Blood Gases

Semester 4

RTT200 Pharmacology
RTT215 Neonatal & Pediatrics
RTT225 Mechanical Ventilation II
RTT248 Anaesthesia
RTT250 Respiratory Practice in Community Care
RTT290 Case Studies
RTT379 Pediatric Critical Care

Semester 5

RTT380 Clinical Phase

Semester 6

RTT385 Clinical Phase

2025-26 – 3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma

College Drive Campus – Domestic
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $2720.24 $1395.5 - - $4115.74
2 $2720.24 $1231.5 - - $3951.74
3 $2720.24 $1231.5 $134 - $4085.74

2025-26 – 3 years – Ontario College Advanced Diploma

College Drive Campus – International
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $15547.54 $1975.5 - - $17523.04
2 $15547.54 $1811.5 - - $17359.04
3 $15547.54 $1811.5 $134 - $17493.04

Mandatory Non-Academic Requirements for Placement:

Work-Integrated Learning (also called Placement, Field Placement, Practicum, Clinical Placement, etc.) provides students with rich and meaningful experiences wherein they have the opportunity to apply and extend the learning they gain from the classroom in real-word contexts. View placement requirements here.

Textbooks:

Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts. 

Technology/Devices:

Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.

To learn more about BYOD and to find out what is required for your program, please visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/BYOD

You will also need:

  • Scrub Top / Lab Coat - apx. $35.00
  • Lab Kit - apx. $20.00
  • Stethoscope - apx. $115.00
  • Name Tag - apx. $10.00-15.00

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Graduates of the program, who intend to practice, must write the national certification exam.  The exam is conducted by the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care (CBRC). 

Graduates, who intend to practice in Ontario, must apply for registration with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO).

Within the program, students have the opportunity to become certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support through clinical placement.

Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.

View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

View course outlines

Find out more about General Education program requirements here.

There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.

Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school,  continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!

Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!

Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.