Overview
Respiratory therapists assist physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. Clinical perfusionists provide technical support to patients undergoing cardiac surgery and patients requiring cardio-respiratory support. Cardiopulmonary technologists assist physicians in the technical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists are employed in hospitals, extended care facilities, public health centres, sleep, private or dental clinics and respiratory home care companies. Clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are primarily employed in hospitals. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Clinical perfusionists
Assemble, maintain and operate extracorporeal circulation equipment, intra-aortic balloon pumps and other heart assist devices to support or temporarily replace patients' cardiopulmonary functions during open-heart surgery
Administer blood products, drugs and other substances through heart-lung machines and other devices as directed by cardiac surgeons and anaesthetists to maintain adequate flow of oxygenated blood to all organs of the body
Monitor vital signs to support and maintain patients' physiological functions and metabolic needs during cardiopulmonary surgery
Participate in routine maintenance, calibration and inspection of all perfusion related equipment
Supervise and train student clinical perfusionists and other clinical perfusionists.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$60,451
$73,675
$88,787
Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 36.23
Job openings
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Strong job outlook
British Columbia
445expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Respiratory therapists require the completion of a three-year college or university degree program in respiratory therapy, both including clinical training.
Licensing is required for respiratory therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
A national certification for respiratory therapists is available for therapists working in Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Additional information
Supervisory and instructor positions in this unit group require experience in their respective fields as a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Clinical perfusionists in B.C.
- Certification with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion (CSCP)
Certification with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion (CSCP)
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a clinical perfusionist in B.C., you must be certified by the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion. Eligibility is achieved through graduating from an accredited perfusion training institution, and successfully challenging the CSCP certification examination.
Employment as a fully licensed clinical perfusionist requires a minimum of one year of relevant work experience.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.