Empowering the Next Generation: VCH Respiratory Therapists Leading with Passion and Expertise

Photo left to right: Mandeep, Kelly, Natasha, Brianna, Garrett at VGH

Meet Mandeep, Brianna, Kelly, Natasha and Garrett. This dedicated team of five, play a vital role in guiding and mentoring new graduates and experienced staff, offering hands-on support and guidance. Their collaborative efforts ensure RTs receive continuous education and access to resources, empowering them to excel and advance in their careers. Their commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with each other and the organization not only ensures the success of future RTs but also strengthens the overall quality of patient care across VCH.

At VCH we are connected by learning and the goal of providing quality patient care. Our Respiratory Therapy educators and clinical resource therapists embody these values and each of their roles provides unique support.

Regional Educator for Respiratory Therapy in the Regional Clinical Education department.

Mandeep focuses on developing continuous education for RTs across VCH, serving as a resource for clinical inquiries, and offering on-site support to bedside staff. Together with Kelly and Brianna, the other regional educators, Mandeep collaborates to provide comprehensive support across all VCH sites.

He creates educational resources, offers at-the-elbow support for staff, and organizes Regional Education & Skills Days. These events allow RTs to practice advanced skills they may not frequently use in their daily routines.

"One thing I love most about my job is being called upon to help with advanced therapies, see the bedside staff and create lasting relationships," he says. Mandeep finds great joy in reconnecting with former students he has mentored, knowing he played a positive role in their learning journeys.

What stands out for Mandeep is VCH leadership's commitment to nurturing the next generation and the initiatives aimed at promoting staff retention and wellness. "VCH is a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization where you can easily advance if you want to," he says.

Regional Respiratory Therapy Educator for Inter-Professionals in Rural & Community

With over a decade of experience, Brianna joined the team, in 2023, as the Clinical Resource Therapist. In this role she combined her passions for respiratory therapy and education. Along with Mandeep and Kelly, these three regional educators work collaboratively to support ongoing education and resources for RTs across the organization.

As the inter-professional educator, Brianna supports RTs indirectly by delivering comprehensive education on respiratory care to a broad spectrum of health care professionals (including nurses, physicians, speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, and recreation therapists), particularly in areas where RTs are not present. By enhancing the skills and knowledge of these teams, she helps improve patient care across the board, enabling RTs to focus on critical clinical tasks. 

With portfolios encompassing both rural and community health, Brianna shares this allows for a dynamic approach to education and engagement with a diverse group of professionals. "This collaborative approach with leadership and staff strengthens the health care team and promotes more efficient care delivery,” she says. “This role offers a unique level of variety, and I find great fulfillment in the ever-changing nature of the work."

Brianna values the strong teamwork at VCH, stating, "Interprofessional collaboration is at the core of how we operate. We regularly share insights, skills, and knowledge across professions, allowing us to work seamlessly together for the best patient outcomes. The teams I work with are truly incredible and are always striving for improvement within their community of care."

Regional Respiratory Therapy Educators for Employed Students and New Graduates 

In her role, Kelly supports students through the Employed Student RT Program, at the three major VCH acute sites: Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), Lions Gate Hospital (LGH), and Richmond Hospital. This program helps them apply their skills in real health care settings and prepares them to become “job-ready” graduates. Kelly also leads the New Grad RT Program, offering crucial support to new RTs with less than 18 months of experience. "This program takes a comprehensive approach, featuring orientation, educational sessions, simulations, and hands-on support to boost job satisfaction and encourage long-term commitment within the organization," she explains. 

Working closely with Garrett and Natasha, Kelly finds her role deeply rewarding, expressing, "I enjoy being a resource for both students and new grad RTs, encouraging them to ask questions, celebrating their achievements, and navigating the challenges of this transitional period."

Clinical Resource Therapist (CRT) within the VGH Respiratory Therapy Department

Joining VCH in 2018, Natasha shares she has received vital support from leadership, particularly for her interest in education. In 2022, she trained as an ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) instructor, and since then, has certified RTs, registered nurses, and physicians across the organization in these courses. Becoming an ACLS instructor equipped her with the skills needed to transition into the CRT role within the RT department, which she considers her greatest opportunity to date.

Natasha provides support to RTs by serving as a resource for cases related to managing complex patients, advanced modalities such as spinal cord injury ventilation and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), as well as acquiring respiratory equipment for patients to use at home. Collaborating with Kelly and Garrett, Natasha tells us, "I also orientate new RT staff to VGH and recruit and train the Critical Care Outreach Team RTs,” she says. “When it comes to developing plans for complex patients, the best plan is developed through collaboration and conversation with my colleagues.”

Clinical Educator

In his role, Garrett supports RTs on the front line. His responsibilities vary from day to day—sometimes orienting new staff to their work environment with Natasha and Kelly, other times planning and delivering education sessions, and occasionally assisting colleagues with patient care. “Each day can be completely different depending on which patients come through our doors”, he says. “Our staff do an amazing job caring for these patients, and I get to help them learn new strategies and techniques to develop their skills.”

Garrett speaks highly of the team and says they really look out for each other. “Our team is incredible. We help each other complete our work so that no one is left behind – there’s a really strong sense of team in the RT department.”

Driven by the constantly evolving nature of hospital care where new practices, evidence, and techniques continuously improve patient outcomes, Garrett says “RTs are positioned front and center to care for these patients see more and more positive outcomes. It is exciting to see and experience cutting-edge medicine in a hospital like VGH.”

Thank you to Mandeep, Brianna, Kelly, Natasha and Garrett, for your invaluable contributions in building a thriving and knowledgeable RT community and the crucial role you play in shaping the next generation of Respiratory Therapists.

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