Celebrating the Versatility and Impact of Respiratory Therapists: A Look Inside Sunnybrook’s RT Team

October 20-26, 2024 marks Respiratory Therapy Awareness Week and we’re shining a light on the incredible work done by Respiratory Therapists (RTs) across the health-care spectrum. At Sunnybrook, RTs provide life-saving care and versatile skills across the hospital, from the wards to the operating room (OR). This week, we are highlighting the journeys, roles, and insights of two seasoned RTs who have devoted years to helping patients breathe easier—Valerie and Sandra.

Valerie’s Journey: From Respiratory Therapist to Anesthesia Assistant

Valerie’s story begins in 2016 when she first joined the Respiratory Therapy team at Sunnybrook. While working as an RT, she developed a strong admiration for the Anesthesia Assistants (AAs) she collaborated with in the OR. They were knowledgeable, helpful, and an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. Watching them extend the core RT skills of airway management and ventilation into the realm of anesthetic care sparked a deeper interest in the role for Valerie.

“It was really the people more than anything else that made me want to be an AA,” she shares. The opportunity to continue utilizing her RT expertise while expanding her skill set in new, challenging environments made it the perfect next step.

Now, as both an RT and AA, Valerie works alongside anesthetists in a range of specialized areas, including cardiac, vascular, cath lab, interventional radiology, and burn ORs. Her ability to assist with airway management and ventilation during complex anesthetic procedures demonstrates the immense value that RTs bring to surgical settings. “The OR environment is great for learning and growth. RTs can improve their skills while collaborating closely with other team members,” Valerie adds.

Sandra’s Path: Inspired by Mentorship and Patient Care

Sandra, another RT at Sunnybrook, also boasts over two decades of experience. Her inspiration to become a Respiratory Therapist began when she had the opportunity to shadow a professional in the field. That firsthand experience, combined with the guidance of RTs she has been mentored by over the years, solidified her passion for respiratory care.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been mentored by many past RTs,” Sandra says. “Their experience and knowledge helped me grow in this profession.” Though Sunnybrook’s RT department is small, the rich legacy of mentorship has passed from one generation of RTs to another.

Sandra emphasizes the diverse nature of RT work, ranging from oxygen therapy and ventilation to managing airways and performing CPR. “The variety in our work is what keeps the job interesting. We work very closely with multidisciplinary team members,” she notes. This variety allows RTs to engage in patient care across all hospital areas, ensuring no two days are ever the same.

RTs at Sunnybrook: Small but Mighty

Both Valerie and Sandra agree: though small, the RT department at Sunnybrook is mighty. This dedicated team works 24/7, covering a wide range of hospital areas, from seven ICUs to the emergency department. Their roles extend to rapid response calls, Code blues, traumas, and specialized units.

Respiratory Therapists are often the unsung heroes in moments of crisis, stepping in to assess and treat patients experiencing breathing difficulties. Whether it’s in the ICU, the OR, or during emergency responses, they’re an essential part of patient care.

A Field Full of Opportunity

One thing both Valerie and Sandra want people to know about Respiratory Therapy? There are endless opportunities for growth and learning. RTs are constantly expanding their knowledge and skill set. The versatility of the position means that RTs can work across departments and with diverse patient populations, making it a fulfilling and ever-evolving profession.

As Respiratory Therapy Awareness Week unfolds, we celebrate the dedication, skill, and heart that Respiratory Therapists bring to their roles every day. From the ICU to the OR, from oxygen therapy to airway management, RTs like Valerie and Sandra continue to make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and colleagues.

Happy Respiratory Therapy Awareness Week! Thank you, RTs, for all that you do!

This week, ask yourself: how much do you know about Respiratory Therapy? And how might RTs be making a difference in the very spaces where care is most critical?