Paula Smith, RRT CRE, RTSO President
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Each and every day, RT’s across this province continue to demonstrate their ability to be nimble and persevere to ensure quality care for the patients we serve.
Respiratory Therapists have shown stellar examples of leadership with initiatives to improve healthcare quality and ensure staff and patient safety. Please take a moment to celebrate the positive impact that you and our profession make!
I wanted to take a moment to send another update and share with you some of the strides we have recently made, and also some assurance that we are focused on our mission to promote and advance the interests of Ontario Respiratory Therapists through creating opportunities for professional growth, advocacy and research. Since I last communicated with you, we have gained support from the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO), Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences (OAMRS), and the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO), to apply to amend and implement an exemption to the Controlled Acts subsection 27(1) so that the Respiratory Therapy profession may use ultrasound for the purpose of applying energy (sound waves) for diagnostic ultrasound for the purpose of RT assessments and procedures. Gaining stakeholder support was an ask of the Ministry of Health, and is a monumental achievement for the RTSO. We sincerely thank all stakeholders for their support and appreciation for our profession. The Ministry of Health will now review our submission, and we hope to have the changes implemented in the near future.
The RTSO is also actively seeking support for our application to include Respiratory Therapists in Section 14 (2) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, as workers with presumed entitlement to psychological and paid sick leave benefits under the WSIB insurance plan for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arising out of and during the worker’s employment. Thank you to those members who have shared their stories with us and put a face and a real person connection to the RT’s who have been deeply affected by our practice experiences during and outside of this pandemic.
The RTSO continues to support education through our webinar series. Watch out for upcoming webinars on topics that matter to you. Missed a webinar? Please visit our website for select webinar recordings.
The RTSO’s membership is growing, thanks to you. We welcome our newly joined members and thank our returning members for their dedication. You as an RT belong here at the RTSO. Now more than ever, we need each other. We need to learn and listen and share. If you feel passionate about helping us build stronger awareness for the RT profession, join and get involved now!
Most volunteers join a Board out of a sense of responsibility and passion. I’d like to personally thank each and every Board and Committee member of the RTSO. Your undeniable devotion and volunteerism while juggling the incredible demands of life is humbling. You are an example of the meaning of selflessness and teamwork.
Lastly, on behalf of the RTSO I would like to thank Shawna MacDonald for her years of service to this organization. Shawna has been a dedicated RTSO member in various capacities, most notably the editor of Airwaves for the last 7 years. She has been the catalyst in keeping communication flowing to our members. Shawna, you have made an immeasurable impact on the RT profession, and on behalf of the entire RTSO membership we thank you and wish you continued success and health.
As always, the door is always open. Please feel free to reach out to ask questions, share ideas, stories, or resources. Stay up to date by following us on your favourite social media platform:
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Take care of yourselves and one another,
Paula
Paula Smith, RRT CRE BHSc
RTSO President
Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario
https://www.rtso.ca/
