Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 39

Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991

S.O. 1991, CHAPTER 39

Historical version for the period June 4, 2007 to December 14, 2009.

Last amendment: 2007, c. 10, Sched. B, s. 22.

Definitions

1. In this Act,

“College” means the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; (“Ordre”)

“Health Professions Procedural Code” means the Health Professions Procedural Code set out in Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; (“Code des professions de la santé”)

“member” means a member of the College; (“membre”)

“profession” means the profession of respiratory therapy; (“profession”)

“this Act” includes the Health Professions Procedural Code. (“la présente loi”) 1991, c. 39, s. 1; 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Health Professions Procedural Code

2. (1) The Health Professions Procedural Code shall be deemed to be part of this Act. 1991, c. 39, s. 2 (1).

Terms in Code

(2) In the Health Professions Procedural Code as it applies in respect of this Act,

“College” means the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; (“ordre”)

“health profession Act” means this Act; (“loi sur une profession de la santé”)

“profession” means the profession of respiratory therapy; (“profession”)

“regulations” means the regulations under this Act. (“règlements”) 1991, c. 39, s. 2 (2); 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Definitions in Code

(3) Definitions in the Health Professions Procedural Code apply with necessary modifications to terms in this Act. 1991, c. 39, s. 2 (3).

Scope of practice

3. The practice of respiratory therapy is the providing of oxygen therapy, cardio-respiratory equipment monitoring and the assessment and treatment of cardio-respiratory and associated disorders to maintain or restore ventilation. 1991, c. 39, s. 3; 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Authorized acts

4. In the course of engaging in the practice of respiratory therapy, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:

1. Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis.

2. Intubation beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow or beyond the larynx.

3. Suctioning beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow or beyond the larynx.

4. Administering a substance by injection or inhalation. 1991, c. 39, s. 4; 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Additional requirements for authorized acts

5. (1) A member shall not perform a procedure under the authority of paragraph 1, 2 or 4 of section 4 unless the procedure is ordered by,

(a) a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the College of Midwives of Ontario or the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario;

(b) a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario who holds an extended certificate of registration under the Nursing Act, 1991; or

(c) a member of a health profession that is prescribed by regulation. 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (3).

Grounds for misconduct

(2) In addition to the grounds set out in subsection 51(1) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, a panel of the Discipline Committee shall find that a member has committed an act of professional misconduct if the member contravenes subsection (1). 1991, c. 39, s. 5 (2).

College established

6. The College is established under the name College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario in English and Ordre des thérapeutes respiratoires de l’Ontario in French. 1991, c. 39, s. 6; 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Council

7. (1) The Council shall be composed of,

(a) at least seven and no more than 10 persons who are members elected in accordance with the by-laws;

(b) at least five and no more than eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council who are not,

(i) members,

(ii) members of a College as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, or

(iii) members of a Council as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. 1991, c. 39, s. 7 (1); 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (4).

Who can vote in elections

(2) Subject to the by-laws, every member who practises or resides in Ontario and who is not in default of payment of the annual membership fee is entitled to vote in an election of members of the Council. 1991, c. 39, s. 7 (2); 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (5).

President and Vice-President

8. The Council shall have a President and Vice-President who shall be elected annually by the Council from among the Council’s members. 1991, c. 39, s. 8.

Restricted titles

9. (1) No person other than a member shall use the title “respiratory therapist”, a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language. 1991, c. 39, s. 9 (1); 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Representations of qualification, etc.

(2) No person other than a member shall hold himself or herself out as a person who is qualified to practise in Ontario as a respiratory therapist or in a specialty of respiratory therapy. 1991, c. 39, s. 9 (2); 1998, c. 18, Sched. G, s. 44 (2).

Definition

(3) In this section,

“abbreviation” includes an abbreviation of a variation. 1991, c. 39, s. 9 (3).

Notice if suggestions referred to Advisory Council

10. (1) The Registrar shall give a notice to each member if the Minister refers to the Advisory Council, as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, a suggested,

(a) amendment to this Act;

(b) amendment to a regulation made by the Council; or

(c) regulation to be made by the Council.

Requirements re notice

(2) A notice mentioned in subsection (1) shall set out the suggestion referred to the Advisory Council and the notice shall be given within thirty days after the Council of the College receives the Minister’s notice of the suggestion. 1991, c. 39, s. 10.

Offence

11. Every person who contravenes subsection 9(1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and not more than $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence. 2007, c. 10, Sched. B, s. 22 (1).

12., 13. Repealed: 2007, c. 10, Sched. B, s. 22 (2).

14. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Act). 1991, c. 39, s. 14.

15. Omitted (enacts short title of this Act). 1991, c. 39, s. 15.

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