How to become a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist
Official title: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
Also called: Perfusionist, Chief perfusionist, Clinical perfusionist, Respiratory therapist, Perfusion technologist, Respiratory technician, Anesthesia technologist, Inhalation technologist, Respiratory technologist, Respiratory therapy chief, Cardiopulmonary technician, Extracorporal technologist
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.
Main tasks
- Respiratory therapists
- 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
How to become one
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. In Quebec, a certificate is required for respiratory therapists to prescribe smoking cessation medication. Clinical perfusionists require the completion of a respiratory therapy or registered nursing program with a minimum of one year of work experience as a respiratory therapist or registered nurse and completion of a college or university program in clinical perfusion, including clinical training. Certification with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion is required for clinical perfusionists. Cardiopulmonary technologists require a two-year college diploma in an allied health discipline such as respiratory therapy, nursing diploma, or a university degree in a related science and completion of a college post-diploma program in cardiovascular technology and additional training in pulmonary technology through courses or supervised on-the-job clinical training. Registration with the Canadian Association of Cardio-pulmonary Technologists (CACPT) may be required.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 59% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Allied health diagnostic, intervention and treatment professions; General health services/allied health/health sciences; Biology, general.
- Licence or registration: Licensing is required for respiratory therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $79,950 a year The middle half earn $70,200 to $93,600.
- About 13,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 16,100 are projected by 2033. (+20.1%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist?
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. In Quebec, a certificate is required for respiratory therapists to prescribe smoking cessation medication. Clinical perfusionists require the completion of a respiratory therapy or registered nursing program with a minimum of one year of work experience as a respiratory therapist or registered nurse and completion of a college or university program in clinical perfusion, including clinical training. Certification with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion is required for clinical perfusionists. Cardiopulmonary technologists require a two-year college diploma in an allied health discipline such as respiratory therapy, nursing diploma, or a university degree in a related science and completion of a college post-diploma program in cardiovascular technology and additional training in pulmonary technology through courses or supervised on-the-job clinical training. Registration with the Canadian Association of Cardio-pulmonary Technologists (CACPT) may be required.
How much does a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $79,950 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $70,200 to $93,600.
Is a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2033, from about 13,400 to about 16,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a respiratory therapist, clinical perfusionist or cardiopulmonary technologist?
Not always. 38% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03