Career guide
Respiratory therapist (inhalothérapeute)
Respiratory therapists look after patients' breathing: ventilators, airways, oxygen and lung tests, often in critical care and emergencies.
- StatusRegulated profession
- TrainingDegree
- Pay scale$29.09–$45.15 an hour
- Openings now1
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 the college program (DEC) in Techniques d'inhalothérapie (three years)
Quebec schools: Inforoute FPT: every college and vocational program in Quebec (opens in a new tab)
Licence and registration
- Show the knowledge of French the Charter of the French language requires (the OQLF tests it if you were not educated in French)
- Register with the Ordre professionnel des inhalothérapeutes du Québec (OPIQ)
Official starting point: Ordre professionnel des inhalothérapeutes du Québec (OPIQ) (opens in a new tab)
Trained outside Canada?
Respiratory therapists trained outside Quebec apply to the OPIQ for recognition of equivalence.
Important: Requirements can change and may differ for internationally educated professionals. CareZelo links to official bodies but does not determine eligibility.