February 7, 2019
Val Avery,
President
Health Sciences Association
180 East Columbia Street,
New Westminster, BC
V3L 0G7
RE: Proposed profile-based classification system for HSBPA
Dear Ms. Avery,
The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) is the national professional association
representing respiratory therapists across Canada and is responsible for providing the
Registered Respiratory Therapist credential in British Columbia. The CSRT has recently been
made aware of the concerns being voiced by many respiratory therapists in British Columbia
regarding a proposed profile-based classification system for a new Health Sciences Professional
Bargaining Association (HSPBA) collective agreement.
As is outlined in the December 2018 memorandum of agreement between the Health
Employers Association of BC and the HSPBA, development and implementation of the proposed
profile-based classification system is underway. In response, BC respiratory therapists are
raising concern that the proposed classification system does not fairly or adequately consider
the contributions they make to the care of patients and families, and to the healthcare system.
In particular, respiratory therapists indicate that there is a lack of sensitivity of the proposed
classification system to important and highly relevant qualitative measures of practice, such as
recognition of role and responsibility.
The professional practice of respiratory therapists encompasses a wide range of competencies
that have significant impact on the health and quality of life of patients. The National
Competency Framework for Canadian respiratory therapists represents the required
competencies an entry-level respiratory therapist is expected to be able to perform in the
workplace. As you will see, these competencies span practice settings, patient demographics and level of acuity. The level of responsibility undertaken in the daily practice of respiratory
therapists in BC, as elsewhere in Canada, is impactful to even the most vulnerable.
Recognizing that an important goal of the proposed profile-based classification system is to
address exiting inequities, we implore you to incorporate measures that recognize and
incorporate these important aspects of professional practice and patient care.
On behalf of the CSRT, I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration of the serious
concerns outlined in this letter. Should you like to discuss this further please do not hesitate to
contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew West
Chief Executive Officer
