Respiratory Therapy
The Michener’s A&O RT Bridging Program 2008-2009
Introduction
If you are in the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) the Michener’s RT Bridging Program has been developed with you in mind. The Bridging Program recognizes that you have a foundation of knowledge and skills related to respiratory therapy. The Bridging Program was developed to build on that foundation by helping you “fill in the gaps” identified in the PLA Stage One assessment. The goal of the Bridging Program is to facilitate your learning and successful integration into the field of respiratory therapy in ON.
What is the benefit of the RT Bridging Program?
The Bridging Program offers a couple of great benefits.
- Status as a student at The Michener
- Access to classroom and lab learning environments
- Ability to work with students in the full time program during the Clinical Section to begin the integration into the Canadian Health Care culture
- Liability insurance during the clinical placement
- Increased success at challenging PLA Stage Two due to the learning opportunities afforded by the Program.
How does the RT Bridging Program fit with the CRTO/PLA process?
The PLA process has three assessment stages. Stage One includes the initial interview and assessment to determine if the potential candidate has the foundation required for successful challenge. Stage Two consists of a didactic examination (full day multiple choice examination). Stage Three is the assessment of clinical practice in environments where RRTs practice
The Bridging Program has three sections to support the learning requirements of PLA candidate as they progress through PLA. The Course Section and Simulation Section fit between PLA Stage One and Stage Two. The Course Section provides the discipline specific information that may be missing in the candidates education and experience. The Simulation Section begins the integration process, by allowing candidates to work in clinical situations with other members of the healthcare team. Once Stage Two is successfully completed the candidate is eligible for the Clinical Section. This provides a learning environment in a hospital setting to facilitate successful completion of Stage Three assessment.
Course Section: four week end subject review courses.
AORS806 - Neonatal / Paediatric Respiratory Care
- These case based courses include classroom and lab time supported by self directed learning.
- To successfully complete a course, a final online examination must be passed.
- Each course takes place over 2 months on 3 or 4 week ends.
- Courses focus on general areas of respiratory therapy.
- Students MUST successfully pass all four courses to move to SIMULATION SECTION.
- In addition to these courses students in the bridging program may wish to take a multidisciplinary course “Healthcare in Canada” offered by CCPE at the Michener or equivalent.
- Students may wish to take any CCPE course, including BCLS, ACLS, and PFT.
AOIS113 - Preparation for Practice in Canadian Health Care
Simulation Section: Two 15 week courses
AORSSC100 - Simulated Clinical
- approximately 22 hours over 4 days.
- Once course is interprofessional in nature with students in the other disciplines at Michener.
- The second is a discipline specific course with integration into the full time RT student body.
- Students MUST successfully pass this section AND PLA Stage 2 assessment to be eligible for the CLINICAL SECTION
Clinical Section: 8-12 weeks of clinical placement (based on student need)
- Students will be placed in Ontario clinical settings to obtain clinical learning and workplace experience.
- Hours are specific to the clinical placement and include 8 and 12 hour shifts and up to 37.5 hrs per week. PLA Stage Three assessment occurs simultaneously within this section.
- Students MUST successfully complete Stage Three to receive Graduate registration with the CRTO and to be eligible to write the CBRC national credentialing examination.
Entry Requirements:
A maximum of eight spaces are open for the bridging program. Entry into the bridging program will be based on recommendation of the PLA Stage One assessment AND successful benchmarking/assessment of English language skills.
Space permitting, individual courses including the Simulation and Clinical Sections may be accessed by any healthcare professional for the purpose of professional development, lifting of limits on their CRTO registration and/or re-entry to practice. Interested individuals must meet with the A&O Coordinator to determine placement possibilities. Meetings can be face to face or by teleconference.
