STANDARD 15.
Supervision
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must employ appropriate strategies and professional behaviours for when working under supervision and when supervising others in order to support the delivery of safe, competent, ethical patient/client-centred care.
Performance Requirements
Respiratory Therapists Providing Supervision
Only provides supervision for which the supervising individual has the competency to perform and that fall within their professional scope of practice and/or scope of employment.
Assess and monitor the skills of those working under their supervision (including but not limited to RT students, Graduate Respiratory Therapists (GRTs) and other healthcare team members requiring supervision) in accordance with legislative, regulatory, and employer requirements to ensure safe patient/client care.
Must not supervise others in the performance of any intervention that is part of a controlled act not authorized to RTs.
Respiratory Therapists Under Supervision
Only receive supervision for those tasks which the supervising individual has the competency to perform and that fall within the supervising individual’s professional scope of practice and scope of employment.
Comply with relevant regulatory requirements related to supervision.
Ensure that their employer and those supervising the RT are fully aware of their supervision requirements.
Adhere to the supervision requirements included as part of any Terms, Conditions and Limitations (TCLs) imposed on their certificate of registration.
Patient / Client Expected Outcome
Patients/clients can expect that those working under the supervision of RTs are appropriately supervised to support the delivery of safe, competent, ethical patient/client-centred care.
RELATED RESOURCES
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca.College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2022). Supervision Policy. Available at: https://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Policies/Policy.PP-110.pdf.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2023). Abuse Awareness and Prevention. Professional Practice Guideline. Available at: https://abuse.crto.on.ca.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2022). Graduate Certificate of Registration Policy. Available at: https://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Policies/Policy.RG-403.pdf.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). Respiratory Therapists Providing Education. Professional Practice Guideline. Available at: https://education.crto.on.ca.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2017). Working with Non-Regulated Health Care Providers (Website). Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/members/professional-practice/understanding-non-regulated-healthcare-providers-2/
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2016). National Competency Framework for the Profession of Respiratory Therapy. Part 1. National Standards for Entry-to-Practice. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/download/ncf-part-i-entry-to-practice-2016.
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2024). National Competency Framework. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/national-competency-profileframework
GLOSSARY
Appropriate refers to in accordance with ethical, legal, technical and/or clinical requirements of professional practice.
Competent refers to “the ability to consistently and effectively apply the requisite knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and professional behaviour to provide safe, ethical, and effective patient care.”[1]
Healthcare team refers to “peers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals (regulated and non-regulated).[2]
Patient/client refers to individuals and their families requiring care or services. This may also include their substitute decision-maker or guardian.[3]
FOOTNOTES
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf
- Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf