Respiratory therapy techniques: Cégep de Saint-Jérôme meets a need

Long awaited by the health community, the new Respiratory Therapy Techniques program is offered at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme. We welcomed the first cohort there this fall.

There are 41 students who form this first cohort. “This arrival, awaited with enthusiasm by the health community, marks an important step for the development of the training offer in the Laurentides region,” tells us the general director of the Cégep, Nadine Le Gal.

Following a call for interest, the Cégep received authorization from the Ministry of Higher Education to offer this new program. “We were treated to two new programs this year. The other is in physiotherapy at the Mont-Tremblant campus. There are glaring needs in the region and our role is to meet the training needs of our population. It is advantageous for the hospital and also allows students to establish roots in the region. They stay here and continue to work here. This creates a mesh from the start of the program. It’s very positive,” adds Ms. Le Gal.

“The arrival of the Respiratory Therapy Techniques program at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme is excellent news for the entire Laurentides region. Respiratory therapists play a crucial role within clinical teams and the hiring needs for this profession are significant in the health network. The CISSS des Laurentides is delighted to be a leading partner in this training, in particular by welcoming its students for internships throughout their academic career,” said Julie Delaney, President and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides. .

Student interest analysis

Nadine Le Gal explains to us that an analysis was carried out by Patricia Tremblay’s team at the studies department to find out the types of programs chosen by students from the Laurentians. “We were able to know the number of students from the region who were going to follow an inhalation technique in Montreal, for example. From there, it was demonstrated to the Ministry that there was a need here for this training. And we could meet this need,” she emphasizes.

Previously, students had to go outside to receive this training. In some cases, students made another choice not to leave the region. When the authorization request was submitted, the CISSS des Laurentides had 189 respiratory therapists in 2022 and planned to hire around fifty per year. The needs are great.

Financial support from the Foundation

Among the key partners, the Fondation du Cégep de Saint-Jérôme provided significant financial support by contributing to the purchase of specialized equipment for an amount of $83,000. “The Fondation du Cégep de Saint-Jérôme is proud to contribute to the development of this essential program for the Laurentides region. By supporting the acquisition of specialized equipment, we allow students to have access to cutting-edge resources, thus offering them every chance of success in their academic and professional careers. We are convinced that this initiative will contribute to providing qualified talent who will be able to meet the growing needs of the health sector,” explained Joël Bouchard, director of the Foundation.

Inhalation techniques

Students will have the opportunity to practice in specialized laboratories and also share the High-Fidelity Simulation Center with the Department of Nursing as part of certain courses. In addition to the six planned stages, observation periods are planned from the first session: a great opportunity to confirm their choice of path and to fully integrate into their future workplace.

At the end of their training, students master the anomalies and pathologies affecting cardiorespiratory functions. They will also be trained in the use of equipment necessary to care for patients of all ages.

Respiratory therapists play a key role within medical teams including doctors, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists or physiotherapists. The training includes six stages and is eligible for the Perspectives Québec Scholarships, offering $1,500 per successful session, subject to eligibility criteria.