Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists (NOC 3214)
Description
Respiratory therapists assist physicians in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. They are employed in hospitals, medical clinics, health units, extended-care facilities, public health centres and respiratory home care companies. Clinical perfusionists provide technical support to patients undergoing cardiac surgery and patients requiring cardio-respiratory support. Cardiopulmonary technologists assist physicians in the technical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are primarily employed in hospitals. Supervisors and instructors of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are included in this unit group.
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Example Titles
- cardiopulmonary technologist
- cardiovascular perfusion supervisor
- cardiovascular perfusionist
- certified clinical perfusionist (CCP)
- chief respiratory technologist
- clinical perfusionist
- perfusionist
- registered respiratory therapist (RRT)
- respiratory therapist
- respiratory therapy clinical instructor
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Classified Elsewhere
- Other Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health) (3219)
- Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (3235)
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Duties
Respiratory therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Perform diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary functions tests
- Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to administer treatments such as oxygen, oxygen-air mixtures, humidified air or medications
- Operate, monitor, maintain and test a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Assess patients and perform or assist with interventions such as airway maintenance, line insertions, inductions and intubations
- Perform artificial respiration and external cardiac massage
- Assist with transport of high-risk patients
- Supervise and train students and other respiratory therapists
- Operate, monitor, and maintain life support respirators and other systems used in intensive care units
- Participate in home care programs for chronic respiratory patientsand provide patient and family education
- Participate in research related to cardiac and pulmonary disorders
Clinical perfusionists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assemble, maintain and operate extracorporeal circulation equipment, intra-aortic balloon pumps and other heart assist devices to support or temporarily replace patient's cardiopulmonary functions during open-heart surgery
- Administer blood products, drugs and other substances through heart-lung machines and other devices as directed by cardiac surgeons and anaesthetists
- Monitor vital signs to maintain patient's physiological functions during cardiopulmonary surgery
- Supervise and train student clinical perfusionists and other clinical perfusionists.
Cardiopulmonary technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Perform diagnostic tests, such as pulmonary function and asthma stress, or assist physicians with cardiac and cardiopulmonary stress tests and bronchoscopies
- Determine blood characteristics such as activated clotting time and oxygen saturation
- Operate, monitor, maintain, calibrate and test diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Monitor patient and advise physician of any changes in patient condition
- Prepare medications and administer inhaler and other treatments under supervision of cardiologist
- Provide information and care for patients during tests
- Assist with the preparation of cardiac catheterization room, prepare specialized catheters and assist cardiologists during catheterization
- Perform analysis, programming and monitoring of implanted devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators during surgery
- Supervise and train students and other cardiopulmonary technologists
- Provide technical support for research.
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Skills
Respiratory therapists must have the following interests and skills:
Essential skills:
- ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
- good problem-solving and decision-making skills,
- emotional stability, maturity, integrity, reliability, realistic self appraisal,
- ability to cope with stressful situations,
- physical stamina and manual dexterity,
- good listening and observational skills,
- good verbal and written communication skills,
- knowledge of computers.
Technical skills:
- ability to operate complex technical medical equipment
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Employment Requirements
- Respiratory therapists require the completion of a four year hospital-based training program in Manitoba.
- Licensing by the Manitoba Association of Registered Respiratory Therapists is required for respiratory therapists in Manitoba. You must successfully pass the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care registration examination in respiratory therapy to be issued a license. Your license must be renewed annually.
- Membership with the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists may also be required.
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Terms & Conditions
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardio-pulmonary technologists commonly work with critically ill patients, and are often on their feet for extended periods. Those employed in hospitals work shifts on rotation, which means working evenings, weekends and holidays.
While there are some opportunities for part time work, the majority (100%) work full time. All are salaried employees.
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Earnings
$54,500 per annum - starting
$60,600 per annum - average
$67,100 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- The University of Manitoba, School of Medical Rehabilitation, offers a four-year respiratory therapy program leading to a Bachelor's degree in Medical Rehabilitation: B.M.R. (R.T.). [University 1 + 3 years]. http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/units/medrehab/rt_index.html
- Pre-professional programs are offered at Brandon University, Canadian Mennonite University, University of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg.
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Career Paths
Respiratory therapists work in community health centres, hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. They may specialize in areas such as anesthesia technology, critical care, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and respiratory home care.
Supervisors and instructors of these occupations require experience in their respective fields as respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists or cardiopulmonary technologists.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardio-pulmonary technologists are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. This is a small occupational group, and employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 180.
Most of the persons employed in this occupational cluster work in hospitals, and employment growth will be influenced the potential increase in respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders of an ageing population. Perfusion is a narrow field with a small number of these practioners who work primarily in hospital operating rooms.
Technological advances are enabling more out-patient treatment of respiratory conditions and the trend toward shorter hospital stays should increase the demand for care and treatement in the home over the next few years. Such interventions involve teaching the techniques of respiratory care and the use and maintenance of equipment to patients and their families, and monitoring the respiratory condition of patients and the application of treatments.
A proportionally larger number of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardio-pulmonary technologists work in Winnipeg. Almost all work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, in a hospital setting.
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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