Career guide
Respiratory therapist
Respiratory therapists look after patients' breathing: ventilators, airways, oxygen and lung tests, often in critical care and emergencies.
- StatusRegulated profession
- TrainingDiploma or degree
- Pay scale$38.00–$40.00 an hour
- Openings now3
A day in the job
You manage patients on ventilators in intensive care, respond to emergency calls and resuscitations, help at difficult intubations, and run lung function tests.
Where you could work: Intensive care, emergency, neonatal care, transport
How to get there
- Complete an accredited respiratory therapy program, such as NAIT's in Edmonton or SAIT's in Calgary
Alberta schools: NAIT (opens in a new tab), SAIT (opens in a new tab)
Licence and registration
- Pass the national exam of the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC)
- Register with the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta
Official starting point: College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (opens in a new tab)
Trained outside Canada?
Respiratory therapists trained outside Canada apply to the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta for an assessment.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.