Healthcare

To Become a Respiratory Therapist (Respiration specialist and cardio-respiratory emergencies) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Do you stay calm under pressure and want a hands-on clinical role where you help people breathe—literally? If you’re drawn to intensive care, emergencies, and advanced technology, becoming a Respiratory Therapist in Ontario might be a strong fit for you. As a respiration specialist, you’ll care for patients across the lifespan, respond to cardio-respiratory emergencies, and play a vital role on Hospital teams.

Job Description

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in Ontario are regulated health professionals who assess, treat, and Support patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions. You’ll work in settings like intensive care units (ICU), emergency departments, operating rooms (OR), neonatal intensive care (NICU), wards, pulmonary function labs, sleep labs, and community/home-care programs.

In Ontario, RTs are licensed by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) and typically earn the designation Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) after graduating from an accredited program and passing the national exam. Many new graduates first register in the Graduate Respiratory Therapist (GRT) class while they complete the exam process.

CRTO (regulator): https://www.crto.on.ca/
Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991 (Ontario): https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/91r38

Daily work activities

As an RT, your day is fast-paced and varied. You might:

  • Start your shift by checking ventilators and life-support equipment in the ICU.
  • Join a “Code Blue” team to assist with airway Management and resuscitation.
  • Assess patients in the emergency department with asthma or COPD exacerbations.
  • Provide specialized care in NICU to premature infants who need respiratory support.
  • Run pulmonary function tests or conduct sleep studies.
  • Educate patients and families about inhalers, oxygen therapy, CPAP/BiPAP, and self-management.

You’ll collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and allied health professionals, and you’ll use judgment to manage complex cases.

Main tasks (examples)

  • Perform cardio-respiratory assessments: auscultation, oxygenation/Ventilation checks, and monitoring.
  • Set up, initiate, and manage mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) and high-flow oxygen.
  • Assist with or perform airway management (e.g., intubation assistance, tracheostomy care, suctioning).
  • Obtain and analyze arterial blood gases (ABGs) to guide treatment decisions.
  • Deliver and titrate oxygen therapy and aerosolized medications.
  • Respond to cardio-respiratory emergencies: codes, rapid response calls, trauma activations.
  • Conduct pulmonary function testing (PFTs), including spirometry and diffusion capacity.
  • Support sleep medicine services (e.g., polysomnography, CPAP titration) where applicable.
  • Prepare, maintain, and troubleshoot life-support equipment and respiratory devices.
  • Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes accurately in electronic Health Records.
  • Educate patients, families, and staff about respiratory care, equipment, and Safety.
See also  To Become a Dental Assistant in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

Under Ontario law, RTs are authorized to perform certain controlled acts when ordered by an authorized prescriber or under medical directives (e.g., intubation, tracheal suctioning, performing procedures below the dermis such as arterial punctures, and administering a substance by inhalation). See CRTO standards for details: https://www.crto.on.ca/printable-guide-to-professional-practice-guidelines-and-standards/

Required Education

To practice as a Respiratory Therapist in Ontario, you must graduate from an accredited Respiratory Therapy program and meet licensing requirements.

Diplomas and degrees

  • Certificate (postgraduate/continuing education)

    • Not for entry-to-practice, but often required for specialized roles.
    • Examples: Anesthesia Assistant graduate certificate; Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE); Certified Tobacco Educator (CTE); advanced courses like ACLS, PALS, and NRP.

  • College Advanced Diploma (entry-to-practice)

    • The standard pathway in Ontario is a three-year Advanced Diploma in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited college.
    • After graduation, you write the national exam and register with the CRTO.

  • Bachelor’s Degree (optional)

    • Not required for licensure in Ontario. Some RTs complete a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences or Health Administration for career advancement (education, Leadership, or management). Degree-completion pathways may be available at Ontario universities; transfer credits vary by institution.

National exam (CBRC): https://www.cbrc.ca/
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT): https://www.csrt.com/
Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) and Certified Tobacco Educator (CTE): https://www.cnrchome.NET/

Length of studies

  • Respiratory Therapy Advanced Diploma: typically 3 years (full-time) including clinical placements.
  • Postgraduate certificates (e.g., Anesthesia Assistant): typically 1 year part-time/blended for practicing RTs.
  • Bachelor’s degree completion: 2+ years depending on transfer credits and study load.

Where to study? (Ontario programs and useful links)

Ontario programs accredited through Accreditation Canada’s EQual program prepare you for registration in Ontario. Always confirm current accreditation status.

Accreditation Canada EQual accredited programs directory: https://accreditation.ca/equal-accredited-programs/

French-language study (Ontario)

Postgraduate specialization (examples in Ontario)

Registration and licensing (Ontario)

Salary and Working Conditions

Entry-level vs experienced salary

Wages vary by employer, collective agreement, and region. Many hospital RT positions in Ontario are unionized and pay hourly with shift premiums.

  • Entry-level (new grads): typically around $33–$38 per hour, approximately $60,000–$80,000 annually in full-time roles, depending on shifts and premiums.
  • Experienced RRTs: typically $42–$49+ per hour, approximately $85,000–$100,000+ annually. Overtime, on-call, and specialized roles (e.g., ICU, NICU, transport, anesthesia assistant) can increase earnings.
See also  To Become Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

For current wage data and trends, see Government of Canada Job Bank (Ontario):
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation-search?searchstring=Respiratory%20therapist&province=35

Working conditions

  • Shifts: 12-hour and 8-hour rotations, days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Environments: ICUs, ERs, ORs, NICUs, wards, diagnostic labs, and community/home care (e.g., oxygen therapy providers).
  • Physical demands: lifting equipment, assisting with patient positioning, frequent walking, and rapid response.
  • Exposure: infectious diseases and aerosols; strict PPE and N95 fit-testing required.
  • Emotional demands: high-stakes decisions, end-of-life care, and critical incidents.
  • Employers: public hospitals, Rehabilitation centres, specialty clinics, and home care companies (e.g., ProResp, Medigas, VitalAire).

Examples of Ontario home respiratory care employers:
ProResp: https://www.proresp.com/
Medigas: https://www.medigas.com/
VitalAire Canada: https://www.vitalaire.ca/

Job outlook

Demand for Respiratory Therapists in Ontario remains strong due to an aging population, high rates of COPD/asthma, critical care needs, and expansion of community-based respiratory services. RTs played a crucial role during the pandemic and continue to be central to ICU and emergency services.

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Calm under pressure and strong decision-making in emergencies.
  • Compassion and empathy with patients and families.
  • Teamwork and communication with interprofessional teams.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving in complex cardio-respiratory cases.
  • Teaching and coaching for patient self-management.
  • Cultural safety and sensitivity in diverse Ontario communities.
  • Adaptability to shifting priorities and new technologies.

Hard skills

  • Ventilator management (invasive and non-invasive), HFNC, oxygen systems.
  • Airway management: intubation assistance, tracheostomy care, suctioning.
  • Diagnostics: ABG sampling/analysis, pulmonary function testing, capnography.
  • Resuscitation and emergency response: BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP certifications.
  • Pulmonary rehab and education: inhaler technique, action plans, smoking cessation.
  • Sleep medicine: CPAP/BiPAP titration, polysomnography basics (site-dependent).
  • Equipment operations and troubleshooting: ventilators, monitors, analyzers.
  • Documentation and informatics: EMRs, charting, order sets, medical directives.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • High impact: You directly stabilize, support, and improve patients’ breathing and quality of life.
  • Strong demand: Consistent hiring across Ontario hospitals and home care.
  • Variety: Diverse practice areas—ICU, ER, NICU, OR, diagnostics, sleep, community.
  • Advanced technology: Work with ventilators, life-support, and diagnostics.
  • Professional growth: Specializations (e.g., Anesthesia Assistant), leadership, education, research.
  • Competitive compensation with shift premiums and overtime opportunities.

Disadvantages

  • Shift work: Nights, weekends, and holidays can be challenging.
  • High stress: Exposure to life-and-death situations and rapid decision-making.
  • Infection exposure: Aerosol-generating procedures require strict PPE.
  • Physical demands: Frequent standing, lifting equipment, and quick responses.
  • Travel (community): Driving between client homes and clinics in some roles.
  • Continuous learning: Mandatory continuing Professional Development through CRTO’s Quality Assurance program.

Expert Opinion

If you enjoy fast-paced clinical work, are comfortable with technology, and can maintain composure in emergencies, Respiratory Therapy can be an exceptionally rewarding career in Ontario. The best RTs balance technical skill with empathy—one moment you may be optimizing a ventilator; the next, you’re teaching a family how to use home oxygen safely.

See also  To Become Medical Radiation Technologist (Diagnostic Radiology) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

Here’s my advice to get started and grow:

  • Choose an accredited Ontario program and engage deeply in labs and simulations—they mirror real ICU/ER pressures.
  • During clinical placements, seek exposure to ICU, NICU, and ER. Ask to shadow specialized teams like transport or rapid response.
  • Build your emergency care toolkit early: maintain ACLS, PALS, and NRP; practice ABGs and airway skills under Supervision.
  • Learn the CRTO standards and your hospital’s medical directives inside out; they define your scope and Autonomy day-to-day.
  • Consider early credentials that add value in Ontario settings: CRE (asthma/COPD education), CTE (smoking cessation), and later Anesthesia Assistant if you’re drawn to the OR.
  • For long-term mobility or leadership roles, explore a Bachelor’s degree (Health Sciences or Health Administration) from an Ontario university that recognizes allied health diplomas.
  • Join professional communities: the RTSO for Ontario-specific advocacy and networking, and the CSRT for national best practices and education.

Professional associations:
Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO): https://www.rtso.ca/
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT): https://www.csrt.com/

With Ontario’s ongoing need for critical care and community respiratory services, career prospects are strong. If you are ready to think quickly, act precisely, and support people through their most vulnerable moments, Respiratory Therapy offers a meaningful and dynamic path.

FAQ

How do I become licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in Ontario after graduating?

  • Graduate from an accredited Respiratory Therapy program (Advanced Diploma).
  • Apply to the CRTO for registration—many grads start as GRTs (Graduate class).
  • Pass the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) exam to become an RRT.
    CRTO registration: https://www.crto.on.ca/
    CBRC exam: https://www.cbrc.ca/

You’ll also complete a jurisprudence requirement and provide proof of immunizations, CPR certification, and other documents as requested by CRTO or your employer.

I was trained outside Canada. Can I work as a Respiratory Therapist in Ontario?

Yes, but you must be assessed for equivalency and meet CRTO requirements. Internationally educated applicants typically:

What admission requirements should I expect for Ontario RT programs?

Expect strong high school/college prerequisites in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and often Physics and English. Some programs use additional selection criteria (e.g., grades thresholds, interviews, assessments). Requirements change—always check each college’s website:

What certifications help me get hired in Ontario hospitals?

In addition to your diploma and CRTO registration, employers value:

  • BLS (CPR-HCP), ACLS, PALS, NRP (depending on clinical area).
  • N95 fit-testing, immunizations, and TB screening.
  • Specialty credentials like CRE (asthma/COPD) and CTE (smoking cessation) for outpatient/community roles.
    CRE/CTE: https://www.cnrchome.net/

How do I move into anesthesia or advanced roles?

Many Ontario RTs pursue the Anesthesia Assistant (AA) graduate certificate after 1–2 years of acute-care experience. Programs are offered in Ontario and often blend online learning with clinical mentorship:

Other pathways include clinical education, leadership (charge RT, practice leader), sleep medicine, pulmonary rehab, transport/critical care outreach, Sales/clinical specialist roles with device companies, and research positions. A Bachelor’s degree can support advancement into education and management within Ontario’s health system.

You may also like