Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

384Chapter 16 - Profession of Respiratory TherapyHealth human resources, access to care and coordination of careRTs, along with nurse practitioners and physiotherapists, have noted thatdifficulties in accessing physicians in underserviced areas of the provincepose significant barriers in obtaining orders for oxygen therapy. Accordingto the CRTO, the authority for RTs to write hospital orders for home oxygenwould potentially eliminate delays in discharging medically stable patientsrequiring home oxygen therapy, and in monitoring the therapy when it isestablished. 18The Profession’s Readiness for ChangeHPRAC has confirmed that RTs are well trained in the administration andtitration of oxygen and are considered experts in oxygen therapy. HPRAChas concluded that members of the profession generally have the necessaryeducation and competencies both to prescribe and administer oxygen, andthat limited educational bridging programs are required respecting theprofessional responsibilities associated with the prescribing authority.RTs are taught basic pharmacotherapy and are examined in the entry-topracticeCBRC National Certification Examination. Both the educationalprograms and the CBRC examination are based on the National CompetencyProfile (NCP). 19 In the 2003 version of the NCP, 98 percent of the RTs inOntario reported that they performed oxygen therapy as part of theirclinical practice.During 2000-2005, the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT)developed an Occupational Profile based on a national job analysis that wasused as a blueprint for curriculum development, educational programevaluation and the national examination. The profile outlines the skills andknowledge required of a RT and describes in detail the competenciesrequired for safe application of oxygen therapy. 20The CSRT national accreditation program is provided through the Councilon Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education (CoARTE). CoARTEaccreditation provides a tool to assist respiratory therapy schools andregulatory bodies in assuring the public that the national educationalstandards for entry-level respiratory therapy have been met.Oxygen AdministrationOxygen administration is taught extensively in the educational programsunder “Medical Gases Therapy”. The Occupational Profile outlines theknowledge component of oxygen therapy and is “used as a blueprint forcurriculum development, educational program evaluation and the nationalexamination. The profile outlines the skills and knowledge required of a18CRTO. Submission to HPRAC: Review of Non-Physician Prescribing and Administration of DrugsUnder the Regulated Health Professions Act. November 11, 2008: 10.19National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. National Competency Profile. 2003.20Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists. Occupational Profile. 2000: 67-69.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009