Entry to Practice

Entry to the position of Clinical Physiologist in Respiratory requires the applicant to hold a Bachelor degree in science with a major in physiology, or equivalent.

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Core professional development

1.      Supervised professional development for the core pulmonary function diagnostic tests and interpretation of test results.

2.      Demonstration of core competence for respiratory physiology is through completion of the respiratory competency assessment for core pulmonary function testing and the Certified Respiratory Function Scientist (CRFS) certification examination through the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science.

Postgraduate academic development

1.      All respiratory physiologists are supported to complete postgraduate academic development through the graduate diploma in Medical Science specializing in respiratory sciences (through Charles Sturt University)* .

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Further professional development

2.      Development of skills in advanced diagnostic pulmonary function testing where available; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; arterial blood gas sampling; single and multi-breath nitrogen washout; and interpretation of advanced diagnostic tests results.

3.      Master of Science (through Charles Sturt University)** .

*The graduate diploma in Medical Science (Charles Sturt University) is the course of choice at the time of writing. The CPRB accepts that there may be, from time to time, changes in the postgraduate academic development courses available to respiratory physiologists.

**The Master of Science (Charles Sturt University) is the course of choice at the time of writing. The CPRB accepts that there may be, from time to time, changes in the postgraduate academic development courses available to respiratory physiologists.

Requirements

Applications for registration as a respiratory physiologist are considered on a case by case basis.

In general the requirements are:

1) membership of ANZSRS 

2) Registration in the country you are employed in

3) Respiratory physiology based degree level qualification

You may be registered with the condition of supervised practice, until you have passed the ANZSRS Respiratory Competency Assessment, or the ANZSRS certification examination (CRFS).

Once requirements have been met, you can then apply to have the condition of supervision lifted form your APC. Prospective NZ employers must be made aware of any conditions to practice on your registration.

Respiratory Therapist

The role of Respiratory Therapist is not utilized in New Zealand and there are no positions advertised for this role. CPRB does not register respiratory therapists and does not consider the role as equivalent to a respiratory physiologist.

You may be able to gain employment and register with CPRB if:

1) you can provide evidence that you have sat and achieved the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) CPFT examination, and are registered with the NBRC as a registered pulmonary function technologist (RPFT)

or

2) you are employed in a trainee / intern position as a respiratory physiologist, with a suitable supervisor, at a NZ hospital, and complete the requirements for registration which are: 

• completing the ANZSRS competency standards assessment and
• passing the ANZSRS certification in respiratory function testing (CRFS) examination.

The competency standards expected of Respiratory Physiologists in new Zealand are set by the Australian and New Zealand society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) 

ANZSRS website

Click on the file link to download a copy of the standards. They were last revised in 2017.

Respiratory Physiologist Competencies 2017