Respiratory therapists
Respiratory therapists assist physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this occupation.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
AB, NS, NB
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Perform diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary functions tests
- Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to administer treatments such as oxygen, oxygen-air mixtures, humidified air or specialty medical gases
- Operate, monitor, maintain and test a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Perform or assist with interventions such as airway maintenance, line insertions, inductions and intubations, and manage patients and associated equipment
- Execute anesthesia assistance services
- Perform artificial respiration and external cardiac massage
- Evaluate and monitor patients’ cardiorespiratory conditions
- Provide and optimize patients’ mechanical ventilation
- Assist with transport of high-risk patients
- May prepare and administer authorized medications
- Supervise and train students and other respiratory therapists
- Participate in home care programs for chronic respiratory patients and provide patient and family education
- Participate in research related to cardiac and pulmonary disorders.
Qualifications
- checkRespiratory therapists require the completion of a three-year college or university degree program in respiratory therapy, both including clinical training.
- checkLicensing is required for respiratory therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
- checkA national certification for respiratory therapists is available for therapists working in Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- checkIn Quebec, a certificate is required for respiratory therapists to prescribe smoking cessation medication.
Market Outlook by Province
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Good for respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists in Alberta: Approximately 1,850 people work in this occupation. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 75%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 16% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 77% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 23% compared to 20% for all occupations73% of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists work all year, while 27% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 26% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 74% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 62% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 30% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists in Nova Scotia: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 86%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 9% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 78% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations81% of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 24% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 76% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 39% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 49% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 10% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
New Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Good for respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists are employed by hospitals, home healthcare providers, clinics, research facilities, medical equipment companies, and post-secondary institutions.Population growth and an ageing population will support demand for these occupations going forward, as this will increase demand for respiratory or cardiopulmonary interventions. Technological advancements are impacting the nature of work as more processes are becoming automated. As diagnostic and life support technologies become more sophisticated, professionals in these occupations need to be trained on new digital and artificial technology assisted systems. Respiratory therapists must have completed an accredited Respiratory Therapy program and be licensed by the New Brunswick Association of Respiratory Therapists in order to practice. Clinical perfusionists must have completed a bachelor’s degree in science or health related field, graduated from an accredited Clinical Perfusion training program, and be certified by the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists. This occupation is not provincially regulated. Cardiopulmonary technologists are required to complete an accredited training program in cardiopulmonary technology. This occupation is not provincially regulated, but registration with the Canadian Association of Cardio-pulmonary Technologists (CACPT) may be required.Here are some key facts about respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists in New Brunswick: Approximately 550 people work in this occupation. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 84%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 11% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 16% for all occupations88% of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists work all year, while 12% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 23% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 77% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 51% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 41% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 7% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 32103 openings right now.
Hamilton Health Sciences
3 active roles · Hamilton, ON
Trillium Health Partners
2 active roles · Mississauga, ON
Health Sciences North
2 active roles · Sudbury, ON
Nova Scotia Health
2 active roles · Halifax, NS
William Osler Health System
2 active roles · Brampton, ON
Foundation Health Canada
1 active role
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