Profession

Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) are highly skilled regulated health care professionals who strive to provide patient- and family-centered care to all patient populations, from newborns to the elderly. Registered respiratory therapists or “RTs” are an integral part of interprofessional teams and participate in implementing evidence-based practice and evaluating respiratory care.

RRTs at North York General Hospital provide expertise in airway management, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, high risk deliveries, general respiratory assessment, and diagnostic procedures. In addition, the RTs are essential members of the Critical Care Response Team and the Code Blue and Pink teams.

The Respiratory Therapy Department is a 24-hour/7 day a week inpatient service. Respiratory services are provided to all areas of the hospital including the Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Labour and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and medical and surgical inpatient units.

Anesthesia assistants at NYGH are RRTs with advanced training working collaboratively as part of the anesthesia care team. Anesthesia assistants provide care to surgical patients during general, regional, or procedural sedation under the supervision of and immediate availability of the anesthesiologist.

Education program

Respiratory Therapy Program

The program is affiliated with the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education. This comprehensive program encompasses interprofessional education outlining professional competencies to better prepare students in acquiring the skills necessary to perform according to their scope of practice as well as effectively in health care teams. Students will have the opportunity to participate in North York General Hospital's Interprofessional Education Structured Workshops.

Students will have the opportunity to learn within interprofessional teams providing respiratory care within a variety of practice settings including the Critical Care Unit, Emergency Department, Critical Care Response Team, inpatient units, Surgery, pulmonary function lab, and with the Michener's external partners in neonatal and paediatric care.

At NYGH, students are provided with the clinical experience required for the adoption of professional standards, attitudes and behaviours in addition to preparation for the national credentialing examination of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) and provincial licensure with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO). Evaluation emphasis will be placed on health and safety, professionalism, communication, teamwork, analysis and problem solving, and performance of clinical competencies.

Anesthesia Assistant Graduate Certificate Program

Placements for the clinical practicum portion are offered which comprise of a 12-week placement to be completed within a six-month consecutive time frame. NYGH is also an external partner for the two-week elective rotation required for completion of the program.