Employed Student Respiratory Therapist

Are you currently enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program with Thompson Rivers University ? If so, we have an exciting opportunity that we want you to hear about!

Fraser Health is offering an Employed Student Respiratory Therapist (ESRT)Program where you would be eligible for paid hours of practical job experience as an Employed Student Respiratory Therapist. You will increase your confidence and build up your skill set as you provide direct respiratory care to patients under the direction/guidance of an experienced Respiratory Therapist. Our supportive working environments will encourage your professional growth!

We will be looking for you to have:

• Successful completion of Level 1 of clinical midterm competencies from an accredited and recognized Respiratory Therapy Program and continued enrollment in a recognized education program.
• Certification in Basic Life Support or equivalent.

Does this sound like an opportunity that interests you? If so, please apply online and include the details of your Respiratory Therapist education on your profile including your clinical placement details. New this year, Level 1 students are eligible to work as an ESRT starting in September 2025. Level 2 will start November/December 2025. Take part in this innovative new program that Fraser Health is offering to Respiratory Therapist (RT) students!

Feel free to reach out to Bal Gill, RT Recruiter for Fraser Health with any questions, inquiries you may have about the ESRT opportunity. ...

Within the context of a client and family centred care model and under the direction and/or support of a Practice Lead, or Supervising Respiratory Therapist, the Employed Student Respiratory Therapist provides direct defined practice activities for Respiratory Therapy care to patients commensurate with their level of education and training. Operates in accordance with the unit/program philosophy, organizational principles including Indigenous Cultural Safety, cultural humility and anti-racism principles, competency guidelines, policies, and Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) Standards for Respiratory practices. ESRTs can only perform duties in accordance with the Fraser Health ESRT Practice Activity Assessment Tool.

1. Assesses, records and reports the health status of patients to identify and document patient status by performing duties such as:

• Collecting patient data from patient chart and other related patient records, observing patient condition, and conducting physical assessments;
• Collaborating with other members of the Respiratory Therapy team, multi-disciplinary team, patient and family;
• Documenting health care status;
• Reporting current status or changes in status to appropriate personnel as required.

2. Collaborates with the Respiratory Therapy team, multi-disciplinary team members, community care partners, and the patient and family and assists in development and modification of patient care plan, including the flow of care, to address the assessed needs of the individual by:

• Assisting patient to develop health-promoting relationships;
• Assisting in the establishment of short and long term health status goals;
• Assisting in the identification and prioritization of appropriate care actions such as preventative, therapeutic, and rehabilitative aspects of care;

3. Based upon the previous skillset of the Employed Student, and the assessed competencies by the supervising Respiratory Therapist, provides Respiratory Therapy care by performing functions commensurate with level of education and training. Assists and/or supports the supervising Respiratory Therapist with procedures, therapies, interventions, etc., which may include, but not limited to the following:

• Assessing, applying, monitoring and managing basic oxygen therapy,
• Administering inhaled medications,
• Basic airway management (including airway adjuncts, bronchial hygiene, tracheostomy care, etc.),
• Maintaining and weaning invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation,
• Invasive and non-invasive ventilator monitoring and documentation,
• Explaining care plan to patient and family,
• Identifying and reporting crisis or emergent situations,
• Teaching self/home care skills to patient and/or family members, and
• Stocking, maintaining and taking inventory of related supplies and equipment.

4. Evaluates patient response to the care by assessing the effect of the interventions as identified in the care plan and modifying interventions as appropriate. Recommends and participates in the multidisciplinary team evaluation of patient care, including readiness for discharge. Participates in quality improvement plans/activities and assists in collating data.

5. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.

6. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training & Experience:

Successful completion of Level 1 of clinical midterm competencies from an accredited and recognized Respiratory Therapy Program and continued enrollment in a recognized education program. Certification in Basic Life Support or equivalent.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize assigned workload and set priorities.
• Ability to think critically and problem solve.
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of internal and external contacts including co-workers, patients, and families, physicians, community agency representatives.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.

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IMPORTANT: Recruitment scam warning

Please be on alert for recruitment scams. We are aware of several scams targeting individuals by falsely claiming to represent Fraser Health. Always take precautions when sharing personal details with unverified sources. Please note that we will never ask for money or payment, nor ask you to download or install an app at any point during our recruitment process.