National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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314 - Therapy and assessment professionals

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.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • audiologist
    • certified audiologist
    • clinical audiologist
    • educational speech-language pathologist
    • research audiologist
    • speech therapist
    • speech-language clinician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Audiology and speech-language technical and assisting occupations (See 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment)
    • Braille, lip-reading and sign language instructors (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
    • Managers in health care (0311)
    • Phoniatricians (See 3111 Specialist physicians)
  • Main duties

    Audiologists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • 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
    • 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
    • Provide information to patients and families regarding the nature, extent, impact and implications of hearing loss and treatment
    • Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
    • Conduct research related to hearing and hearing disorders
    • May instruct and supervise audiometric technicians, students and other health care personnel.

    Speech-language pathologists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Administer tests and examinations and observe patients to diagnose and evaluate speech, voice, resonance, language, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders
    • Develop, plan and implement remedial programs to correct speech, voice, language, resonance, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders
    • Establish group and personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
    • Provide advice and educational services to patients and families regarding communication and swallowing disorders
    • Conduct research on speech and other communication disorders and on the development and design of diagnostic procedures and devices
    • May instruct and supervise communicative disorders assistants, students and other health care personnel.
  • Employment requirements

    • Audiologists require a master's degree in audiology.
    • Speech-language pathologists require a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
    • 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.

3142 - Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists assess patients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. Physiotherapists are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or they may work in private practice.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • physical therapist
    • physiotherapist
    • registered physiotherapist
    • research physiotherapist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Directors of physiotherapy (See 0311 Managers in health care)
    • Physical rehabilitation technicians (See 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment)
  • Main duties

    Physiotherapists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Assess patients' physical abilities through evaluative procedures such as functional ability tests
    • Establish treatment goals with patients based on physical diagnoses
    • Plan and implement programs of physiotherapy including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, the use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and hydro-therapy
    • Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
    • Communicate with referring physician and other healthcare professionals regarding patients' problems, needs and progress
    • Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
    • Develop and implement health promotion programs for patients, staff and the community
    • May conduct research in physiotherapy
    • May provide consulting or education services.

    Physiotherapists may focus their practice in particular clinical areas such as neurology, oncology, rheumatology, orthopedics, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disorders, burns or sports injuries or in the field of ergonomics.

  • Employment requirements

    • A university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are required.
    • A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required to practise physiotherapy in all provinces.
    • Completion of the Physiotherapy National Exam, administered by the Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulatory Boards, may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to management positions, such as director of physiotherapy, is possible through experience and additional training.

3143 - Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and ageing to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • clinical occupational therapist
    • community occupational therapist
    • occupational therapist (OT)
    • occupational therapist, case manager
    • occupational therapist, research and development
    • occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Directors of occupational therapy (See 0311 Managers in health care)
    • Orientation and mobility instructors (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
  • Main duties

    Occupational therapists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Analyse clients' capabilities and expectations related to life activities through observation, interviews and formal assessments
    • Develop intervention programs to address clients' needs related to self-care, work and leisure activities
    • Maintain clients' records
    • Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
    • Consult and advise on health promotion programs to prevent disabilities and to maximize independent function in all activities of life
    • May supervise support personnel and students and provide training.

    Occupational therapists may specialize in working with specific populations such as children or adults, or persons with distinct problems such as dementia, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain, or provide special interventions such as return-to-work programs.

  • Employment requirements

    • A university degree in occupational therapy including supervised fieldwork is required
      or
      Graduation from an occupational therapy program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is accepted in some provinces.
    • Completion of the national certification examination may be required.
    • Licensure with a regulatory body is required in all provinces.
    • Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, is required in some provinces.
    • Occupational therapists may obtain expertise in a particular area through additional training or experience.
  • Additional information

    • Occupational therapists may progress to management or administrative positions through further training and experience.

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.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • 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)

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Family, marriage and other related counsellors (4153)
    • Occupational therapists (3143)
    • Physiotherapists (3142)
    • Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers (4167)
    • Technical assistants in therapy and assessment (See 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment)
  • Main duties

    Therapists and other professionals in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Assess patients and review reports from physicians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and other professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning level
    • 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
    • Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation
    • 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
    • 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
    • May provide education to clients regarding health promotion and injury prevention, management and treatment
    • May conduct research in respective field of specialization.
  • Employment requirements

    • Kinesiologists usually require a master's degree in kinesiology or human kinetics.
    • Certification for kinesiologists is available through the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance.
    • Sport therapists require a bachelor's degree in sport therapy, or a degree in health sciences with a specialization in sports injury management.
    • Art therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in art therapy.
    • Music therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in music therapy.
    • Dance therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology, and usually require a master's degree in art, drama or movement therapy.
    • Recreational therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in recreation with a specialization in therapeutic recreation.
    • Supervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group.
    • Creative or technical ability in the field of specialization is usually required.
    • 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.
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