Respiratory Therapy

Explore a rewarding career advancing community care with clinical care.

  • Extensive clinical experiences during the third year of our accredited program in hospital and community care settings
  • Access to state-of-the-art equipment and simulation techniques in on-site labs
  • Graduates are eligible to write the national licensing exam, the HPTC exam, which once passed allows graduates to work in Canada as a Registered Respiratory Therapist

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2026

Yes

Winter 2027

Yes

Schedule

Coming soon - a schedule that will show when each Level of the program will be delivered. See the Courses tab for further details on the Levels within this program.

Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma (3 Years)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Health Studies

School

School of Health Sciences

Campus

Ottawa

Work Integrated Learning

Yes
CIP Code(s): 51.0908

The three-year Respiratory Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you for success in the profession of respiratory therapy. With access to state-of-the-art equipment, simulation techniques and clinical placements, you gain the hands-on skills necessary for employment.

Learn to practice competently, safely and effectively in diverse practice settings. By the end of the program, you demonstrate the ability to work as an interprofessional team member supporting cardio-respiratory care....(read more)

Overview

Explore a rewarding career advancing community care with clinical care.

The three-year Respiratory Therapy Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you for success in the profession of respiratory therapy. With access to state-of-the-art equipment, simulation techniques and clinical placements, you gain the hands-on skills necessary for employment.

Learn to practice competently, safely and effectively in diverse practice settings. By the end of the program, you demonstrate the ability to work as an interprofessional team member supporting cardio-respiratory care.

You participate in clinical lab simulations and apply theory to clinical practice. You also complete more than 1,000 hours in clinical placements, which may require relocation to another clinical setting across Ontario for a portion of, or for the full placement. These experiences take place in various settings: wards, intensive care units, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, community care, sleep labs, and pulmonary function testing facilities. Graduates are eligible to take the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) licensing exam, which is required to work in Canada and to use the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Graduates typically find employment in:

  • adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units in hospitals
  • emergency departments and cardiopulmonary diagnostic units in hospitals
  • community care
  • medical sales
  • dental offices
  • research

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may find employment as:
Successful completion of the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) licensing exam allows graduates to work in Canada. This exam is conducted by the Health Professions Testing Canada (HPTC) organization. Students apply to the HPTC in the third year of the program in order to write the exam upon graduation. Graduates and Registered Respiratory Therapists working in regulated provinces must be a member of their Regulatory College. In Ontario, the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) is the licensing body.

Graduates typically find employment as staff therapists in hospitals. They work as respiratory therapists in adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units in hospitals; emergency departments and cardiopulmonary diagnostic units in hospitals; community care; medical sales; dental offices; or research.

Graduates may choose to pursue additional educational programs in areas such as polysomnography, anesthesia assistant or cardiopulmonary perfusion.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Provide cardio-respiratory care in compliance with relevant legislation, professional standards, codes of ethics and practice setting policies and procedures.
  2. Use preventive measures that contribute to a culture of patient and employee health and safety within a range of practice settings.
  3. Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and communicate in a culturally sensitive manner with diverse patients/clients and their families to support cardio-respiratory health.
  4. Collaborate with patients/clients and members of the inter-professional health care team to optimize cardio-respiratory health and well-being.
  5. Assess and interpret relevant diagnostic and patient information when treating patients/clients who are experiencing a range of cardio-respiratory conditions.
  6. Develop patient's/client's plan of care in collaboration with patients/clients and health care team members by identifying priorities, establishing goals and determining interventions to support optimal cardio-respiratory outcomes.
  7. Select, implement, evaluate and modify therapeutic cardio-respiratory interventions to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care in a range of practice settings.
  8. Develop, implement and evaluate cardio-respiratory related learning plans in collaboration with patients/clients, families and health care team members to support client independence and self-management.
  9. Complete written and electronic documentation of patient/client care to meet legal, organizational and professional requirements.
  10. Read, interpret and participate in research and use relevant evidence-based findings to inform and guide respiratory therapy practice.
  11. Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development activities to maintain and enhance competence in the field of respiratory therapy.
  12. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2026/2027 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar's Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program related expenses include:

  • Books and non-disposable supplies cost approximately $2,200 per year, excluding the clinical year and can be purchased from the campus store. For more information visit www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials
  • The uniform required for clinical site activities (all three years) costs approximately $300.
  • Throughout the program students are required to attend clinical experiences at various sites in Ottawa, Kingston, Pembroke, Brockville and Belleville. Additional sites are under review. Third year students are placed either in Kingston/Belleville/Brockville, or in Ottawa/Pembroke. Students should note that additional sites are being reviewed across Ontario and additional relocation may be required. All students must be aware that they are required to relocate for all or a portion of the third year of the program. All expenses, such as travel, parking and accommodation for these experiences are the responsibility of the student.
  • Prior to clinical practicums students require training in Healthcare Provider Level CPR, Standard First Aid, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Health and Safety, WHMIS, OWHSA training and approved Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Crisis Management and De-escalation Techniques. There are some additional costs associated with the training that should be anticipated by students which are not covered by tuition fees including the cost of a Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS).
  • The Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) Licensing exam fee approximately $950 (+HST) and subject to change.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent;
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing, for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Mathematics, Grade 12 (MAP4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Biology, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Chemistry, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Physics, Grade 11 or 12 with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • All applicants must complete an assessment of their knowledge and skills through the Test Centre, and pay an exam fee. Results from the Algonquin College Health Program Admissions Test (AC-HPAT) will be utilized to establish minimum eligibility and applicant ranking. The AC-HPAT can only be written once per academic cycle. For further information on the HPAT and how to book your assessment, please visit Algonquin's Test Centre.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) tests taken prior to January 21, 2026 overall 88, with a minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) tests taken after January 21, 2026 overall 4.5, with a minimum in each component: Reading 4.5; Listening 4.5; Speaking 4.5; Writing 4.5; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.

International Applicants
International applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements are required to complete preparatory courses (4-months in duration): Introduction to Canadian Health Studies (ICHS). Students who successfully complete the introduction will then proceed to their original health program of choice. The ICHS requires applicants to submit an academic IELTS score.

Please click this link for more information http://www.algonquincollege.com/healthandcommunity/ICHS/

Application Information

RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Program Code 0606X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application
process information: https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/

For further information on the admissions process, please visit:
Admissions - Registrar's Office https://algonquincollege.com/ro/admissions/

Additional Information

Program Resources

Clinical Placement Requirements:
Accepted applicants must complete the vaccinations and certifications as required by clinical placement providers and as outlined on the ParaMed Clinical/Field Pre-Placement Health Requirements Form, that will be provided to you in Level 04, and submit by the date indicated at the top of the form.

Provide proof of current Healthcare Provider Level CPR and Standard First Aid Certificate. Recertification of BLS is required annually. Currency of BLS and Standard First Aid is required throughout the program.

It is your responsibility to obtain all clinical placement eligibility requirements prior to the deadline identified by your department and to pay any associated costs. Should you require further information, contact the Program Coordinator.

If you fail to provide proof of vaccinations and certifications as outlined above, you will not be able to participate in placement and will not be able to graduate.

Police Records Check Documentation:
Successful completion of clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Respiratory Therapy program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency.

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS), which must be maintained and will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.

Additional Clinical Placement Information:
The primary clinical experience in year three involves rotations in various clinical settings such as wards, intensive care, pulmonary and cardiac diagnostics, pediatric/neonatal care, operating rooms and community care approximately 30 weeks. Third year clinical experience is completed during a 12-month period, beginning in either May or September, and finishing between January and May of the following calendar year. Students should expect to do combinations of 8- or 12-hour shifts inclusive of days, evenings, nights and weekends. Student schedules are assigned in blocks; therefore, start and end times of the total clinical experience varies with block assignments. Students must comply with the code of ethics and standards of practice of both the provincial regulatory body and the national professional association, as well as the policies of the clinical sites.

Students may need to relocate for a portion or for the full placement to another clinical setting across Ontario.

This program is offered on a full-time basis only. Individual courses are available only to those registered full-time in the program.

Contact

Treena Hanschke

Program/Clinical Coordinator

Sharon Lightfoot

Professor

lightfs@algonquincollege.com

613-727-4723, ext. 5274

Room B246s

View Bio

Sharon Lightfoot

Professor

lightfs@algonquincollege.com

613-727-4723, ext. 5274

A graduate of both the University of Ottawa (BSc. Kin, 1991) and Algonquin College (Respiratory Therapy, 1995), Sharon has been at Algonquin College since 2004. Her clinical experience prior to coming to the college included 10 years as a general duty Respiratory Therapist at the General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital, where she worked in the Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU, the Emergency Department and the general wards. Courses taught here at the college include Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Blood Analysis and Mechanical Ventilation.

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