“As a respiratory therapist, I’m here to help provide better quality of life for patients,” says Rémy Peeters, Professional Practice Lead and Clinical Coordinator of the Respiratory Therapy (RT) program at PRHC. “I work directly with patients to offer bedside care, help them breathe easier, control chronic conditions, and improve patient outcomes. There’s nothing better than helping patients thrive.”
A PRHC employee for 24 years, Rémy says that he works at PRHC because of the hospital’s dedication to providing the best quality of care to all patients, and says he is proud to be part of a system that focuses on quality, accountability, transparency, and results.
His role in the program includes advocating for the RT profession. He provides practice leadership, input into human resource management, and participates in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of services. He is also the liaison between various academic institutions to support and facilitate clinical placements for RT students.
A typical day for Rémy includes ensuring the program has the resources it needs to perform optimally in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment; making sure equipment and supplies are available and ready to use; and educating and mentoring students as well as new and existing staff.
“Each day can be different; I am always involved in a few different initiatives, meetings with different committees and teams, communicating with external vendors as well as contract evaluations and procurement,” he says.
When asked what he would share with students considering a career in respiratory therapy, Rémy says: “As a respiratory therapist, you’ll never be bored. Every day provides challenges and opportunities to utilize different skills. You will be able to work with different patient populations with a wide array of needs in critical care, acute care, and long-term care, sometimes all in the same shift.”
