Career guide
Respiratory therapist
Respiratory therapists look after patients' breathing: ventilators, airways, oxygen and lung tests, often in critical care and emergencies.
- StatusCredential required by employers
- TrainingDiploma or degree
- Pay scale$40.19–$50.20 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 (Thompson Rivers University offers one)
British Columbia schools: Thompson Rivers University (opens in a new tab)
Before you start work
- Pass the national exam of the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC), which BC employers ask for
Trained outside Canada?
Respiratory therapists trained outside Canada usually start with the national credential assessment before applying to BC employers.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.