Unit Group
3113 Dentists
Dentists diagnose, treat, prevent and control disorders of the teeth and mouth. They work in private practice or may be employed in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities or universities.
Example Titles
dentist
endodontist
oral and maxillofacial surgeon
oral pathologist
oral radiologist
orthodontist
pediatric dentist
periodontist
prosthodontist
public health dentist
View all titles
Main duties
Dentists perform some or all of the following duties:
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Examine patients’ teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to diagnose disease, injury and decay and plan appropriate treatment
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Restore, extract and replace diseased and decayed teeth
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Perform oral surgery, periodontal surgery and other treatments
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Clean teeth and instruct patients on oral hygiene
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Design bridgework, fit dentures and provide appliances to correct abnormal positioning of the teeth and jaws, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for use by denturists and dental technicians
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Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff.
- Dentists may specialize in such areas as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology or public health dentistry.
Employment requirements
-
One to four years of pre-dentistry university studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in sciences
-
and
-
A university degree from a recognized dental program are required.
-
Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.
-
Dentists in general practice can move into a specialized practice through advanced training.
-
Licensing for specializations is required.
Additional information
- Certification by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada entitles dentists or graduates of approved dental programs to practise dentistry in any province in Canada provided requirements set out by the provincial and territorial licensing authorities are met.
Classified elsewhere
-
Dental assistants (3411)
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Dental hygienists and dental therapists (3222)
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Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants (3223)
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Denturists (3221)
Unit Group
3112 General practitioners and family physicians
General practitioners and family physicians diagnose and treat the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients. They provide primary contact and continuous care toward the management of patients’ health. They usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Residents in training to be general practitioners and family physicians are included in this unit group.
Example Titles
family physician
general practitioner (GP)
medical doctor
resident, general practice
View all titles
Main duties
General practitioners and family physicians perform some or all of the following duties:
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Examine patients and take their histories, order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures and consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients’ physical and mental health
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Prescribe and administer medications and treatments
-
Perform and assist in routine surgery
-
Provide emergency care
-
Provide acute care management
-
Vaccinate patients to prevent and treat diseases
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Deliver babies and provide pre-natal and post-natal care
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Advise patients and their families on health care including health promotion, disease, illness and accident prevention
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Provide counselling and support to patients and their families on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues
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Perform patient advocacy role
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Co-ordinate or manage primary patient care
-
Provide continuous care to patients
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Supervise home care services
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Report births, deaths, and contagious and other diseases to governmental authorities.
Employment requirements
-
A bachelor’s degree
-
or
-
In Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
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Graduation from an approved medical school
-
and
-
Two to three years of family medicine residency training are required.
-
Completion of the qualifying examinations of the Medical Council of Canada
-
and
-
Licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Additional information
- General practitioners and family physicians may become specialist physicians with additional training.
Classified elsewhere
-
Allied primary health practitioners (3124)
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Chiropractors (3122)
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Managers in health care (0311)
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Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (3125)
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Specialist physicians (3111)
Unit Group
3122 Chiropractors
Chiropractors diagnose, treat and prevent patients’ neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spine, nervous system, pelvis and other body joints by adjusting the spinal column or through other corrective manipulation. Chiropractors are usually in private practice or in clinics with other health practitioners.
Example Titles
chiropractic doctor
chiropractor
View all titles
Main duties
Chiropractors perform some or all of the following duties:
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Take patients’ case history, conduct examinations, observe patients, and perform X-rays and other tests to diagnose patient’s condition
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Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
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Treat health disorders in a natural manner through adjustments or articular manipulations and complementary treatments such as electrotherapy, acupuncture, heat therapy and massage with special attention given to the spine
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Advise patients on alternate treatment modalities such as corrective exercises, posture, lifestyle and nutrition that have positive effects on the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system.
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Refer patients for medical care when appropriate.
Employment requirements
-
A minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in sciences
-
and
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Completion of a four- or five-year program at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Education
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and
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Completion of the examinations of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board and of the provincial licensing body are required.
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Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces and in the Yukon.
Classified elsewhere
- Chiropractic aides (in 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services )
Unit Group
3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
Audiologists diagnose, evaluate and treat individuals with peripheral and central hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems. Speech-language pathologists diagnose, assess and treat human communication disorders including speech, fluency, language, voice and swallowing disorders. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are employed in hospitals, community and public health centres, extended care facilities, day clinics, rehabilitation centres and educational institutions, or may work in private practice. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Example Titles
audiologist
certified audiologist
clinical audiologist
educational speech-language pathologist
research audiologist
speech therapist
speech-language clinician
View all titles
Main duties
Audiologists perform some or all of the following duties:
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Develop and administer audiometric tests and examinations using specialized instruments and electronic equipment to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients’ hearing impairment
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Plan and implement habilitation/rehabilitation programs for patients, including selection, fitting and adjustment of amplification devices, such as hearing aids, and teaching speech (lip) reading
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Provide information to patients and families regarding the nature, extent, impact and implications of hearing loss and treatment
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Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
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Conduct research related to hearing and hearing disorders
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May instruct and supervise audiometric technicians, students and other health care personnel.
Speech-language pathologists perform some or all of the following duties:
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Administer tests and examinations and observe patients to diagnose and evaluate speech, voice, resonance, language, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders
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Develop, plan and implement remedial programs to correct speech, voice, language, resonance, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders
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Establish group and personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
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Provide advice and educational services to patients and families regarding communication and swallowing disorders
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Conduct research on speech and other communication disorders and on the development and design of diagnostic procedures and devices
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May instruct and supervise communicative disorders assistants, students and other health care personnel.
Employment requirements
-
Audiologists require a master’s degree in audiology.
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Speech-language pathologists require a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
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Registration with a regulatory body is required for audiologists and speech-language pathologists in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
-
Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, is usually required.
-
In some jurisdictions, audiologists may be required to obtain a separate licence to dispense hearing aids.
Additional information
- Progression into management positions, such as chief audiologist or director of speech-language pathology, is possible with experience.
Classified elsewhere
-
Audiology and speech-language technical and assisting occupations (in 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment )
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Braille, lip-reading and sign language instructors (in 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities )
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Managers in health care (0311)
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Phoniatricians (in 3111 Specialist physicians )
Unit Group
3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
This unit group includes specialized therapists not elsewhere classified who use techniques such as athletic, movement, art or recreational therapy to aid in the treatment of mental and physical disabilities or injuries. They are employed by establishments such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, extended health care facilities, clinics, recreational centres, nursing homes, industry, educational institutions and sports organizations, or they may work in private practice.
Example Titles
art therapist
athletic therapist
certified athletic therapist (CAT)
certified kinesiologist
drama therapist
exercise physiologist
human kineticist
kinesiologist
movement therapist
music therapist
recreational therapist
registered dance therapist (DTR)
View all titles
Main duties
Therapists and other professionals in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:
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Assess patients and review reports from physicians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and other professionals to determine patients’ current and potential functioning level
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Prepare individualized and group treatment plans either independently or through a multidisciplinary team approach, based on health concerns and on recommendations from physicians or other health professionals
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Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation
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Implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing approaches and techniques such as art, drama and music therapy or dance, recreational, sports or other movement therapy
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Observe, record observations and analyze patients during treatment sessions, write progress reports on patient outcomes and consult with other health professionals to evaluate treatment plans
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May provide education to clients regarding health promotion and injury prevention, management and treatment
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May conduct research in respective field of specialization.
Employment requirements
-
Kinesiologists usually require a master’s degree in kinesiology or human kinetics.
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Certification for kinesiologists is available through the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance.
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Sport therapists require a bachelor’s degree in sport therapy, or a degree in health sciences with a specialization in sports injury management.
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Art therapists require a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in art therapy.
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Music therapists require a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in music therapy.
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Dance therapists require a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and usually require a master’s degree in art, drama or movement therapy.
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Recreational therapists usually require a bachelor’s degree in recreation with a specialization in therapeutic recreation.
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Supervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group.
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Creative or technical ability in the field of specialization is usually required.
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Certification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required.
Additional information
- There is no mobility between the different occupations in this unit group.
Classified elsewhere
-
Family, marriage and other related counsellors (4153)
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Occupational therapists (3143)
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Physiotherapists (3142)
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Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers (4167)
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Technical assistants in therapy and assessment (in 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment )
Unit Group
3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
Medical laboratory technicians conduct routine medical laboratory tests and set up, clean and maintain medical laboratory equipment. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, post-secondary educational institutions and government research laboratories. Pathologists’ assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens or perform autopsies under a pathologist’s supervision. They are usually employed in hospitals and universities.
Example Titles
medical laboratory assistant
medical laboratory technician
pathology assistant
phlebotomist
phlebotomy aide
View all titles
Main duties
Medical laboratory technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
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Collect blood, tissue and other samples from patients
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Log patient samples and prepare them for testing
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Set up medical laboratory equipment
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Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analyses
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Perform quality assurance of testing techniques
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Clean and maintain medical laboratory and medical laboratory equipment.
Pathologists’ assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
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Prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients’ medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations
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Assist with or perform autopsies and surgical specimen examinations under pathologists’ supervision
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Dissect, examine, weigh and photograph organs and specimens, collect tissue samples for chemical analysis and record findings
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Discard specimens according to established safety procedures
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Clean and maintain instruments, equipment and supplies
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May prepare bodies for release to funeral homes following completion of autopsies
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May supervise and train junior resident pathologists and morgue attendants.
Employment requirements
-
Medical laboratory technicians/assistants require completion of a college certificate program in medical laboratory science.
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Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science may be required for medical laboratory technicians/assistants.
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Combined laboratory and X-ray technicians require completion of a combined laboratory X-ray technology program.
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Pathologists’ assistants require some post-secondary courses or a university degree in life sciences
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and
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Specialized on-the-job training.
Classified elsewhere
-
Biological technicians in non-medical laboratories (in 2221 Biological technologists and technicians )
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Chemical technicians in non-medical laboratories (in 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians )
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Medical laboratory technologists (3211)
Unit Group
3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
Cardiology technologists operate electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of heart disease. Electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, not elsewhere classified, operate electroencephalographic, electromyographic and other electrophysiological diagnostic equipment to assist physicians in diagnosing diseases, injuries and abnormalities. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group. They are employed in clinics, hospitals and medical laboratories.
Example Titles
cardiac stress technologist
cardiology supervisor
cardiology technologist
electrocardiographic (ECG) technologist
electrocardiography technologist
electroencephalograph (EEG) technologist
electromyography (EMG) technologist
electroneurodiagnostic (END) technologist
electroneurophysiology (ENP) technologist
View all titles
Main duties
Cardiology technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
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Operate electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients
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Perform cardiovascular procedures and tests, such as electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, ambulatory monitoring and scanning of tapes, holter arrhythmia scanning, pacemaker analysis and follow-up
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Record and assess cardiac activity and provide preliminary reports of tests
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Provide patients with care during procedures and tests
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Prepare reports for interpretation by cardiologists
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Reprogram pacemakers according to required standards
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Check, calibrate and perform routine maintenance of cardiology equipment to ensure proper operation
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May analyze tests and notify physician or other health care professionals of abnormalities
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May administer certain drugs under direct supervision of physician
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May document and record pacemaker implant threshold measurements under direct supervision of cardiac surgeon
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May supervise and train students, other cardiology technologists and nurses.
Electrophysiological technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
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Review patient’s case history and assess nature of problem to determine procedures and tests required
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Attach diagnostic equipment to patients and ensure their comfort and safety
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Operate diagnostic equipment such as electroencephalographic and evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain and cranial and central nervous systems
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Operate electromyographic equipment to conduct electrophysiological nerve conduction velocity tests and to assist physicians in conducting electrophysiological tests such as muscle strength and repetitive stimulation
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Take notes on the recorded graph to identify interference such as poor electrode contact or patient movement
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Prepare recordings and reports of findings for physicians to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders
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Check, calibrate and perform routine maintenance of diagnostic equipment
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Train and supervise students, technicians or other electroencephalograph technologists.
Employment requirements
-
Cardiology technologists require completion of a two-year college diploma program in cardiology technology
-
and
-
Supervised practical training.
-
Cardiology technologists require registration with the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists in all provinces except Quebec.
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Electroencephalograph and other diagnostic technologists require completion of a two-year college or hospital-based program in electrophysiology technology
-
and
-
Supervised practical training.
-
Registration with the Canadian Board of Electroencephalograph Technologists is available for electroencephalograph technologists and is usually required by employers.
-
Registration with the Association of Electromyography Technologists of Canada is available for electromyography technologists and is usually required by employers.
Classified elsewhere
- Cardiovascular perfusionists (in 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists )
Unit Group
3216 Medical sonographers
Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and other medical disorders. They are employed in clinics and hospitals. Medical sonographers who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.
Example Titles
diagnostic medical sonography instructor
medical sonographer
medical sonographers supervisor
registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
ultrasound technologist
View all titles
Main duties
Medical sonographers perform some or all of the following duties:
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Operate ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body requiring examination
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Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen, to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images, and make adjustments to equipment, as required
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Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
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Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure patient safety and comfort
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Prepare examination reports for physicians to aid in the monitoring of pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
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Perform quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to ensure proper operation and perform minor repairs and adjustments as required
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May supervise and train student and other medical sonographers.
Medical sonographers may specialize in abdominal, cardiac, cerebral, obstetrical and gynaecological, ophthalmic, intraluminal or peripheral vascular sonography. They may also specialize in adult or pediatric echocardiography or neurosonology.
Employment requirements
-
Completion of a three- to four-year program in diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology
-
or
-
Completion of a two- to three-year program in a related allied health field and a one-year post-diploma program in diagnostic medical sonography from an accredited institution are required.
-
Registration with the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Professionals and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is usually required by employers.
-
Registration with l’Ordre des Technologues en Radiologie du Quebec is required in Quebec.
Additional information
- Membership in the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is available but voluntary.
Classified elsewhere
- Medical radiation technologists (3215)
Unit Group
3236 Massage therapists
Massage therapists assess soft tissues and joints of the body for treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders. Massage therapists work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres and educational institutions.
Example Titles
massage therapist (MT)
registered massage practitioner
registered massage therapist (RMT)
View all titles
Main duties
Massage therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
-
Assess clients by conducting range of motion and muscle tests and propose treatment plans
-
Explain procedures, risks and benefits to clients
-
Administer massage techniques, treating soft tissues and joints of the body through soft tissue manipulation, relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, joint pain and lower grade mobilizations, remedial exercise programs and client self-help programs
-
Suggest home care instructions and provide information about techniques for further postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation and rehabilitative exercises
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Maintain records of treatments given
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May consult with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians and psychologists when developing treatment plans for clients.
Massage therapists may be trained in various specialized massage techniques.
Employment requirements
-
Massage therapists usually require completion of an 18- to 24-month or 18- to 36-month program in massage therapy from an accredited school
-
and
-
a period of supervised practical training.
-
Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia.
Classified elsewhere
-
Medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (321)
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Other technical occupations in health care (323)
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Physiotherapy assistants (in 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment )
Unit Group
3221 Denturists
Denturists examine patients and design, construct and repair removable dentures. Most denturists work in private practice.
Example Titles
dental mechanic
denturist
denturologist
View all titles
Main duties
Denturists perform some or all of the following duties:
-
Measure patients’ jaws to determine size and shape of dentures required
-
Make impressions of patients’ teeth, gums and jaws
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Design and construct dentures or direct other workers to construct dentures
-
Insert, fit and modify new dentures
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Repair dentures
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Reline, rebase and adjust dentures
-
Fabricate mouth protectors, anti-snoring prostheses and removable prostheses on implants
-
May order radiographs
-
May prepare partial dentures
-
May perform denture whitening and cleaning.
Employment requirements
-
Completion of a two- or three-year college program in denturism/denturology is required.
-
An internship in a registered denture clinic may be required.
-
Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.
Classified elsewhere
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Dental assistants (3411)
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Dental hygienists and dental therapists (3222)
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Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants (3223)
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Dentists (3113)
