Respiratory Therapy

Breathe easy, Saskatchewan!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Respiratory Therapy advanced diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. This comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field of respiratory care.

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The Respiratory Therapy advanced diploma program prepares you to become a skilled and adaptable healthcare professional. It combines evidence-based theory with hands-on training using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest educational technology including high-fidelity simulation and virtual reality.

You'll gain real-world experience through clinical rotations across Saskatchewan in intensive care units, emergency departments and diagnostic labs. You'll work with patients of all ages, from newborns to those at the end of life. Start your journey in respiratory therapy and become the breath of hope for patients in need!

The Respiratory Therapy program is a two-and-a-half-year advanced diploma offered through our Regina campus. You’ll get advanced training in recognizing and managing respiratory issues and emergencies, particularly neonatal, pediatric and geriatric. You’ll focus on:

anatomy, pathophysiology, physiology, pharmacology
body system assessments
critical thinking and decision making

The Respiratory Therapy program also positions you for leadership roles in a growing number of settings. Respiratory therapists are in high demand in the hospital and community settings.

Highlights of the program

Flexible delivery options
- You’ll have the ability to attend lectures virtually.
Hands-on learning
- When you are on-site, your learning will focus on hands-on learning and you will apply your skills in a practical setting.
Lab and simulation training
- You’ll use Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s state-of-the-art lab and high-fidelity simulation facilities to apply your in-depth knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Clinical practicums
- Hone your assessment, management and communication skills during five hospital-based or community-based practicums. You’ll get real-world experience in specialized areas.
Inter-professional education
- In order to prepare you for an integrated role within the health care team, you will have the opportunity to work with students from other programs within the School of Health Sciences and the Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing. Learning activities are designed using a problem-based learning (PBL) model and include high-fidelity simulations, interactive case-based table-top exercises, and collaborative skill acquisition.

Career and salary information

Your career

Begin your career as a therapist in acute and community care environments, diagnostic laboratories, and other related fields. With accumulated experience, opportunities for advancement into education, research, administrative, or management positions within the healthcare sector become available.

Do you need help deciding if these careers could be a good fit for you? Contact Career Counselling or check out the Saskatchewan College of Respiratory Therapists job postings. Do you already know this is the program you want to take but need more detailed information or help applying? Connect with a recruitment advisor.

Potential careers

Sample job title	NOC classification
Respiratory therapist	Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
Cardiology technologist	Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)

Admissions

Admission requirements

Grade 12 with a minimum average of 70% in English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 and one of Foundations of Mathematics 30 or Pre-Calculus 30
English Language Requirements for Respiratory Therapy (see program specific ELP)

Notes:

Accepted applicants will need access to a computer with a stable internet connection for the entire program.
Accepted applicants are required to provide a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search prior to clinical practicum. At the discretion of the practicum/clinical agency, you may be declined access to a clinical practicum based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is the applicant’s responsibility. Clinical practicum is required for program completion.
Accepted applicants must provide proof of Standard First Aid and current CPR Basic Life Support – Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP) or equivalent prior to the first day of class. The cost of BLS-HCP is the applicant’s responsibility.
Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of N95 respirator fit testing (2 mask minimum) prior to entry into the clinical practicum. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is the applicant’s responsibility.
Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification prior to clinical practicum. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is the applicant’s responsibility.
Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of a current Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) ©certification prior to clinical practicum. The cost of TLR® certification is the applicant’s responsibility.

Admission method

Competitive

The competitive admissions process is used for programs where the number of qualified applicants regularly exceeds the number of spaces available. In competitive programs, higher admission requirements and/or additional selection criteria may be required. The application period for this program is October 1 to February 15, each academic year. All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on March 15. Where the 15th falls upon a weekend, documents will be due the following Monday.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Selection criteria

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

To be determined.

Courses

Semester information only pertains to full-time/on-campus students, and part-time/online students should view course prerequisites when scheduling courses.

We are currently updating our course information to ensure accuracy and relevance. Please check back soon for the most up-to-date course offerings.

Student awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Primary Care Paramedic

Medical Labratory Technology

Combined Laboratory and X Ray Technology

Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing