Respiratory therapists

Respiratory therapists (RTs) care for people who are having trouble breathing. They use specialized equipment and provide education to support and improve lung function in patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults. RTs work in hospitals, primary care, and in the community to help people breathe easier and recover from critical illness.

About respiratory therapists

Respiratory therapists (RTs) work within interdisciplinary teams to provide a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic care to all age groups from newborns to older adults. RTs assess, treat and care for people with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, respiratory infections, and sleep apnea. They manage life-support equipment like ventilators, provide oxygen therapy, and respond to respiratory and cardiac care emergencies.

RTs work closely with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to create and adjust treatment plans, caring for patients in a variety of settings, including intensive care units, emergency departments, and community programs. RTs also promote health by educating patients and families on managing respiratory conditions and staying healthy. 

  • Assess patients and perform or help with critical care interventions, such as airway clearance, line insertion, transport, and intubation.
  • Perform diagnostic testing, such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing and sleep studies.
  • Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to give treatments such as oxygen, humidified air or medications.
  • Educate patients and families on breathing techniques, inhaler devices, oxygen equipment, and how to self-manage their symptoms.
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To practice as a respiratory therapist in B.C., an individual needs a post-secondary diploma from an accredited respiratory therapy program and successful completion of the national certification examination administered by Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC), previously the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care. 

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British Columbia offers a range of job opportunities for respiratory therapists. RTs work in hospital settings including emergency departments, intensive care units (ICUs), and labour and delivery rooms, as well as in home and community care settings.

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British Columbia’s publicly funded health authorities offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits:

  • Wages: $39.02 – 48.74 CAD per hour (as of April 1, 2026) plus applicable shift premiums
  • Paid vacation time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment 
  • Pension Plan 
  • BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) 
  • Extended health care   
  • Dental coverage    
  • Life insurance 
  • Short-term and long-term disability 
  • Employee and Family Assistance Plan 
  • Other benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves 
  • Relocation assistance may be available. Please consult job postings or speak with health authorities directly for more information.  
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B.C. news for respiratory therapists

More respiratory therapists trained to support patient care 

B.C. added 20 new fast-track training seats for respiratory therapists at Thompson Rivers University. This expansion will help train more health-care professionals to support people with breathing, heart and lung conditions and improve access to care across the province 

Learn more about respiratory therapist training in B.C.

Province supports allied health workforce, improves patient care

The Province continues to put people first by launching the new Allied Health Strategic Plan (AHSP), which focuses on recruitment, retention, training and redesigning of the allied health workforce, to ensure people have access to the health-care providers they need.

Learn more about how province allied health supports improves patient care

Explore careers with B.C.’s public health employers

British Columbia’s health authorities offer outstanding and diverse opportunities, to not only build your career, but to forge your own lifestyle.

Explore job opportunities today