Respiratory Therapy Diploma
TRU is the only educational institution in British Columbia to offer a program in Respiratory Therapy. The program is accredited by the Conjoint Committee of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists and the Canadian Medical Association. The program consists of two eight-month sessions of instruction at TRU followed by 47 weeks of clinical internship at accredited hospitals. Following successful completion of the program the graduate is awarded a College Diploma and is eligible to sit the National Board Examinations, for the professional qualification of R.R.T. (Registered Respiratory Therapist).
During the first two years of the program, students spend some time at the Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital observing clinical procedures. The clinical year begins in early June following the second College session and students spend time at various hospitals gaining exposure to all aspects of the duties of a Respiratory Therapist. Clinical year students will rotate between hospitals in the Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Applicants must be prepared to relocate as required. Specific rotations cannot be guaranteed.
First Year Course Requirements BIOL 159 Human Biology - Anatomy and Physiology
CHEM 157 General Chemistry for Health Technologists
ENGL 157 Communications English
PHYS 157 General Physics for Respiratory Therapists
RESP 157 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy
RESP 158 Instrumentation for Respiratory Therapists
BIOL 169 Human Biology - Anatomy and Physiology
ENGL 167 Communications English
PHYS 167 General Physics for Respiratory Therapists
MATH 120 Introduction to Statistics
RESP 168 Instrumentation for Respiratory Therapists 2
RESP 169 Functional Analysis of Mechanical Ventilation
Second Year Course Requirements
RESP 250 Pathophysiology 1
RESP 251 Pharmacology 1
RESP 255 Mechanical Ventilation
RESP 257 Blood Gas Analysis and Interpretation
RESP 259 Patient Assessment
RESP 260 Pathophysiology 2
RESP 262 Anesthesia
RESP 263 Neonatology
RESP 268 Pulmonary Function
RESP 270 Patient Care Procedures
RESP 272 Professional Issues in Respiratory Care
Third Year Course RequirementsRTCL 304 Neonatal and Pediatrics Clinical
RTCL 311 Level 1 Clinical Rotation
RTCL 312 Level 2 Clinical Rotation
RTCT 304 Clinical Theory: Neonatal and Pediatrics
RTCT 311 Comprehensive Theory Level 1
RTCT 312 Comprehensive Theory Level 2
Clinical Practicum - 3rd Year
The clinical year is designed to allow the student to gain practical experience in all aspects of Respiratory Therapy. Upon completion of Level 1, June - October, the student will be expected to meet certain predetermined objectives in all rotations. Level 2, November - April, will be a further mastery of these same objectives.
The year can be divided into three main areas of practice:
- Diagnostics, which will include blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, electrocardiography, stress testing, bronchoscopy.
- Therapy, which will include medical surgical rotation, pediatrics and nursery, and Respiratory Therapy Department.
- Critical Care, which will include adult and neonatal intensive care, operating room and anesthesia, and coronary care.
Students must pass the theory course with an overall grade of 60% or better. They must also achieve a grade of 50% or better on the final examinations. The final mark will be either a pass or fail for clinical courses.
The student will work the equivalent of 35 hours each week, and may be assigned shift work. Clinical training involves rotation between the accredited hospitals, and these rotations may be either:
- Interior - Vancouver or Vancouver - Interior
- Vancouver - Vancouver
- Vancouver - Victoria or Victoria - Vancouver