National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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323 - Other technical occupations in health care

3231 - Opticians

Opticians fit clients with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses and mount lenses in eyeglass frames. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • contact lens fitter
    • contact lens technician
    • dispensing optician
    • ophthalmic dispenser
    • optician

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Managers of optical retail outlets or of optical dispensing departments who are not opticians (See 0621 Retail and wholesale trade managers)
    • Ocularists (See 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health))
    • Ophthalmologists (See 3111 Specialist physicians)
    • Optical lab technicians (See 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)
    • Optometrists (3121)
  • Main duties

    Opticians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and by measuring client's eye curvature, pupillary distance and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
    • Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses by advising on lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
    • Advise on use and care of contact lenses
    • Arrange for grinding and polishing of lenses or grind and polish lenses
    • Cut and edge lenses and fit lenses into frames
    • Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
    • May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing or optical sciences is required.
    • Licensing by a regulatory body for opticians is required in all provinces.
    • Licensing requirements for scope of practice and protected titles related to dispensing and contact lens certification vary by province.

3232 - Practitioners of natural healing

Practitioners of natural healing provide health care to patients using traditional Chinese medicine techniques and other forms of treatment including acupuncture, herbology or reflexology to promote, maintain and restore the holistic health of patients. They usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, or are employed by clinics, health clubs and spas.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • acupuncturist
    • aromatherapist
    • ayurvedic practitioner
    • herbalist
    • homeopathist
    • reflexologist
    • traditional Chinese medicine practitioner

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Massage therapists (3236)
    • Midwives (See 3124 Allied primary health practitioners)
    • Naturopathic and osteopathic physicians (See 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)
  • Main duties

    The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

    • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners diagnose the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients and treat them using raw herbs and other medicines, dietary supplements or acupuncture.
    • Acupuncturists diagnose symptoms, physiological disorders and injuries of patients and treat them by the insertion of acupuncture needles or through stimulation techniques such as acupressure, moxibustion, cupping or electrical current.
    • Herbalists assess patients and advise them on the use of herbs for the treatment of conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, asthma, skin disorders and stomach ailments and may cultivate herbs and manufacture and sell herbal compounds.
    • Homeopaths diagnose illnesses and treat them by administering, in chemical or herbal form, a small dosage of the illness itself or by suggesting lifestyle changes.
    • Reflexologists apply gentle finger pressure to specific spots on the clients' feet or hands to promote relaxation and better health and well-being.
  • Employment requirements

    • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners usually require completion of a three- to four-year diploma program in traditional Chinese medicine from a private institute
      or
      completion of a program in traditional Chinese medicine from recognized medical schools abroad.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Ontario and British Columbia.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for acupuncturists in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
    • Acupuncturists usually require completion of a three-year diploma program in acupuncture from a private institute
      or
      completion of some university undergraduate studies in science and training in a related health care discipline or work experience under the supervision of a registered acupuncturist.
    • Other occupations in this unit group usually require completion of training programs specific to their type of practice and some supervised practical training.
  • Additional information

    • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners may include acupuncture or herbology as part of their healing techniques.

3233 - Licensed practical nurses

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • graduate nursing assistant
    • licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)
    • operating room technician
    • registered nursing assistant (R.N.A.)

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Home health aides (See 4412 Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations)
    • Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (3413)
  • Main duties

    Licensed practical nurses perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures
    • Perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection
    • Administer medication and observe and document therapeutic effects
    • Provide pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care
    • Monitor established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy
    • Monitor patients' progress, evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and consult with appropriate members of healthcare team
    • Provide safety and health education to individuals and their families.

    Operating room technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and sterilizing the patients' operative areas
    • Assist in surgery by laying out instruments, setting up equipment, assisting surgical teams with gowns and gloves and passing instruments to surgeons
    • Clean and sterilize the operating room and instruments.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a vocational, college or other approved program for licensed practical nurses is required.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
    • Completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination is required in all provinces and territories except Quebec.
    • Operating room technicians require either additional academic training in operating room techniques or on-the-job training.
  • Additional information

    • Working under the direction of a medical practitioner or registered nurse is not required for licensed practical nurses in all jurisdictions.

3234 - Paramedical occupations

This unit group includes workers who administer pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients with injuries or medical illnesses and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical care. They are employed by private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, government departments and agencies, manufacturing firms, mining companies and other private sector establishments. Paramedics who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • advanced care paramedic
    • ambulance attendant
    • critical care paramedic
    • emergency medical attendant (EMA)
    • emergency medical technician (EMT)
    • emergency medical technician, paramedic
    • emergency medical technologist - paramedic (EMT-P)
    • paramedic
    • primary care paramedic
    • supervisor, ambulance services

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Emergency medical responders (See 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates)
    • Other assisting occupations in support of health services (3414)
  • Main duties

    Workers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Assess extent of injuries or medical illnesses of trauma victims, patients with respiratory disease and stress, overdose and poisoning victims, industrial accident victims and other ill or injured individuals to determine emergency medical treatment
    • Administer pre-hospital emergency care to patients such as oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, bandaging and splinting
    • Establish and maintain intravenous treatment (IV), apply adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications, administer medications and provide other advanced emergency treatment to patients
    • Transport patients by air, land or water to hospital or other medical facility for further medical care
    • Collaborate with ambulance dispatch centres, hospital staff, police, firefighters and family members to ensure relevant information is collected and proper treatment is administered
    • Document and record nature of injuries and illnesses and treatment provided
    • Assist hospital personnel with provision of medical treatment, if necessary
    • Maintain ambulances and emergency care equipment and supplies
    • May train and supervise other workers in this unit group
    • May assist with triage of emergency patients.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a one- to three-year college, hospital-based or other recognized paramedical or emergency medical technology program is required.
    • Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces.
    • Those operating emergency vehicles require an appropriate class of licence.

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.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • massage therapist (MT)
    • registered massage practitioner
    • registered massage therapist (RMT)

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (321)
    • Other technical occupations in health care (323)
    • Physiotherapy assistants (See 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment)
  • 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
    • Maintain records of treatments given
    • 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.

3237 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

This unit group includes workers, not elsewhere classified, who perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, educational institutions and in the private practices of the professionals they assist.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • audiology technician
    • audiometric assistant
    • audiometric technician
    • communicative disorders assistant
    • hearing instrument practitioner
    • occupational therapy assistant
    • ophthalmic assistant
    • ophthalmic technician
    • ophthalmic technologist
    • ophthalmologist assistant
    • physical rehabilitation technician
    • physiotherapy technician
    • speech technician
    • speech therapy assistant

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (321)
    • Other technical occupations in health care (323)
    • Physiotherapy helpers and chiropractic aides (See 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)
  • Main duties

    The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

    • Hearing instrument practitioners examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing; recommend and dispense appropriate type of hearing instrument; take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices; fit, adjust and make minor modifications to hearing instruments; educate clients in appropriate use, care and maintenance of hearing instruments and perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.
    • Audiometric technicians, under the supervision of audiologists, administer tests such as pure tone hearing screening, impedance tests and noise level measurements using equipment such as audiometers and sound level meters to determine hearing thresholds of patients; instruct patients on test procedures and record results; monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment; may take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments.
    • Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants assist speech-language pathologists during assessment of patients; carry out treatment programs and develop materials for use with patients, under the supervision of speech-language pathologists; document patient rehabilitation progress; and check and maintain therapeutic equipment and materials.
    • Ophthalmic medical assistants operate ophthalmic testing and measuring instruments to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision; record test results; assist ophthalmologists in office surgery; administer eye drops, ointments and medications as directed by ophthalmologists; clean and maintain instruments and equipment used during examinations; take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history; and perform various administrative duties.
    • Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs such as thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.
  • Employment requirements

    • Hearing instrument practitioners require completion of a three-year college diploma in a hearing instrument specialist program, including a period of supervised training.
    • Licensure with a regulatory body is required for hearing instrument practitioners in all provinces except in Ontario where membership with the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners (AHIP) is required.
      Hearing instrument practitioners can prescribe and dispense hearing instruments except in Ontario where dispensing is dependant on a prescription from a physician or audiologist.
    • Audiometric technicians and communicative disorders and speech-language pathology assistants require completion of a 12- to 18-month college program in communicative disorders
      or
      Some post-secondary education and on-the-job training.
    • Ophthalmic medical assistants require completion of a one- to two-year college program or a two-year hospital-based training program in ophthalmic medical technology
      or
      A minimum of one year of supervised practical training under an ophthalmologist and completion of an approved ophthalmic assistant home study program.
    • Physiotherapy assistants require completion of a two- to three-year college program in physical rehabilitation therapy
      or
      A two-year physical therapy assistant (PTA) program and supervised practical training.
    • Occupational therapy assistants require completion of a two-year occupational therapy assistant (OTA) college program.
  • Additional information

    • Currently, the qualifications of physical rehabilitation technicians are recognized only in the province of Quebec.
    • In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.
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