Respiratory Therapy Dalhousie University

Overview

Respiratory Therapists work one-on-one with patients of all ages in a variety of settings. A crucial part of the health care team, respiratory therapists improve quality of life by evaluating, treating, and maintaining heart and lung function.

Dalhousie University 's Bachelor of Health Sciences in Radiological Technology programme is fully accredited, and graduates are eligible for membership in the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists. We also offer a 2-year post-diploma option designed to meet the needs of practicing Respiratory Therapists who want to enhance their knowledge and expand career opportunities. 

Programme options

As a Respiratory Therapy student, you will have many opportunities to do hands-on clinical work. During the 8-week summer clinical practicum after years 1, 2 and 3, you’ll put the knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life use in the hospital setting. You may choose to stay in Halifax to complete the practicums but may also have to travel to locations elsewhere in the Maritime provinces.

The post-diploma programme option is equivalent to two years of full-time university study (60 credit hours). To accommodate working professionals, the post-diploma programme is available on a full-time or part-time basis and most of the courses are delivered online.

The following Health Sciences programme options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Health. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences with Discipline  

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (Post-Diploma)

What you will learn

As a Respiratory Therapy student, you will take core professional development courses with a concentration on respiratory therapy-specific knowledge and skills. The programme curriculum will prepare you to write the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) national certification examination.

At Dalhousie, interprofessional collaboration starts in the classroom. Throughout your degree, you will work with students in other health programmes to learn from each other, enable effective collaboration and improve patient outcomes. 

This degree will prepare you to work professionally and ethically in our changing health care system, contribute to evidence-based decisions and develop effective communication skills.

Careers

Respiratory therapists work in a variety of hospital and community settings, including emergency departments, outpatient clinics and sleep labs. They may also treat patients in their homes.  

Respiratory therapy is an evolving profession with excellent employment opportunities across Canada.

Possible careers include:

• respiratory therapist

• medical equipment sales 

• smoking cessation counsellor

• educator 

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by Accreditation Canada.