National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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415 - Social and community service professionals

4151 - Psychologists

Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy, conduct research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of psychological, physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. Psychologists work in private practice or in clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and in government and private research agencies.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • clinical psychologist
    • experimental psychologist
    • psychological associate
    • psychologist
    • research psychologist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Family, marriage and other related counsellors (4153)
    • Psychiatrists (See 3111 Specialist physicians)
    • Psychologists who teach at universities (See 4011 University professors and lecturers)
    • Psychology research assistants, non-university (See 4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
    • Psychology research assistants, university (See 4012 Post-secondary teaching and research assistants)
    • Psychometrists (See 4169 Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.)
  • Main duties

    Psychologists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
    • Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
    • Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment, and offer mediation services
    • Use standard psychological tests for assessment
    • Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
    • Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, language development, memory and perception to develop treatment programs
    • Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
    • Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
    • Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.

    Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

  • Employment requirements

    • A doctoral degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychologist" in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
    • A master's degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychologist" in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
    • A master's degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychological Associate" in Ontario and Manitoba.
    • In Prince Edward Island, a doctoral degree is required to work in private practice, or a master's degree with practice limited to institutions and agencies.
    • A period of supervised practical experience is required in most jurisdictions.
    • Successful completion of the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required in most provinces.
    • Oral examinations and board interviews are required in some provinces.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
    • Membership in the provincial professional association for psychologists is mandatory in all provinces, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
    • Psychologists can become specialized in a particular area through training and experience.
  • Additional information

    • Psychological associates may be granted permission by provincial regulatory authorities to perform duties normally restricted to psychologists, specifically diagnosing psychological disorders and communicating diagnoses to clients.

4152 - Social workers

Social workers help individuals, couples, families, groups, communities and organizations develop the skills and resources they need to enhance social functioning and provide counselling, therapy and referral to other supportive social services. Social workers also respond to other social needs and issues such as unemployment, racism and poverty. They are employed by hospitals, school boards, social service agencies, child welfare organizations, correctional facilities, community agencies, employee assistance programs and Aboriginal band councils, or they may work in private practice.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • co-ordinator of social work
    • medical social worker
    • psychiatric social worker
    • social work supervisor
    • social worker

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Educational counsellors (4033)
    • Family, marriage and other related counsellors (4153)
    • Managers in social, community and correctional services (0423)
    • Social and community service workers (4212)
  • Main duties

    Social workers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, to assess their situation and problems and determine the types of services required
    • Provide counsel and therapy to assist clients in developing skills to deal with and resolve their social and personal problems
    • Plan programs of assistance for clients including referral to agencies that provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, medical treatment and other services
    • Investigate cases of child abuse or neglect and take authorized protective action when necessary
    • Serve as members on interdisciplinary teams of professionals working with client groups
    • Act as advocates for client groups in the community, lobby for solutions to problems directly affecting client groups and develop prevention and intervention programs to meet community needs
    • Develop or advise on social policy legislation, conduct social research and assist in community development
    • Provide mediation services and psychosocial assessments
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and social programs
    • May provide public education and consultation to professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods
    • May supervise other social workers.

    Social workers may specialize in fields of practice such as child welfare, family services, corrections, gerontology or addictions.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in social work is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
    • In Alberta, a bachelor's degree or diploma in social work is required.
    • Supervised practical experience is usually required.
    • Successful completion of provincial written and oral examinations may be required.
    • Registration with a provincial governing body is mandatory to practise as a social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.
    • Use of the titles "Social Worker" and "Registered Social Worker" is regulated in all provinces.
    • Membership in a provincial association of social workers is usually required.

4153 - Family, marriage and other related counsellors

Family, marriage and other related counsellors assist individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal problems and achieve personal objectives. They are employed by counselling centres, social service agencies, group homes, government agencies, family therapy centres, and health care and rehabilitation facilities, or they may work in private practice.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • addictions counsellor
    • bereavement counsellor
    • child and youth counsellor
    • family counsellor
    • marriage counsellor
    • psychoeducator
    • registered clinical counsellor
    • registered marriage and family therapist
    • rehabilitation counsellor
    • sex therapist
    • vocational rehabilitation counsellor

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Educational counsellors (4033)
    • Employment counsellors (4156)
    • Managers in social, community and correctional services (0423)
    • Social and community service workers (4212)
    • Social workers (4152)
  • Main duties

    Family, marriage and other related counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
    • Conduct vocational testing and psychometric assessment
    • Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
    • Counsel clients, provide therapy and mediation services, and facilitate group sessions
    • Liaise with community agencies or partners, and identify additional or alternative services and provide referrals
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
    • Follow up on results of counselling programs and clients' adjustments
    • Prepare assessment, progress, follow-up and court reports
    • May supervise other counsellors, social service staff and assistants
    • May provide public education and consultation to other professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods
    • May provide witness testimony in court proceedings
    • May conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles and deliver presentations at conferences.
    • May participate in fundraising activities.

    Family, marriage and other related counsellors often specialize in dealing with a specific client group such as injured workers, or with specific problems, such as drug and alcohol addiction, marital difficulties or behavioural disorders.

  • Employment requirements

    • A master's degree in the field of counselling, mental health or a related social service discipline is usually required.
    • In Quebec, a master's degree in psychoeducation is required to practise as a psycho-educator.
    • An undergraduate degree or college diploma in a social science is required for certain areas of counselling.
    • Membership with a provincial association for marriage and family therapists or clinical counsellors is required to use the title "Registered Marriage and Family Therapist" or "Registered Clinical Counsellor", and in Quebec, to use the title "marriage and family therapist (MFT)", "family therapist (FT)" or "marriage therapist (MT)". Membership with a provincial association may be required by some employers.
    • In Quebec, membership in the professional association is mandatory for counsellors and psychoeducators.
    • Registered marriage and family therapists and registered clinical counsellors must meet strict criteria involving post-graduate education and a period of supervised clinical work with clients.
  • Additional information

    • Counsellors usually become specialized in a particular area through training and experience.
    • Progression to social service management positions is possible with additional training and experience.

4154 - Professional occupations in religion

Ministers of religion conduct religious services, administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion. Ministers of religion perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples or other places of worship. They may also work in other institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • archbishop
    • bishop
    • cardinal
    • chaplain
    • evangelist
    • granthi
    • imam
    • minister
    • moderator - religion
    • pastor
    • priest
    • rabbi

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Other religious occupations (4217)
  • Main duties

    Ministers of religion perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Conduct regular religious services
    • Administer rites of faiths such as marriages and funerals
    • Pray and promote spirituality by delivering sermons and other talks
    • Provide spiritual and moral guidance to members of a religious faith
    • Supervise, plan and administer programs of religious education
    • May participate in humanitarian endeavours, social services and welfare activities
    • May share in the administrative and financial operation of a religious community
    • May provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
  • Employment requirements

    • Educational requirements vary, depending on the religion, and range from the completion of a college or other program in religious studies to a master's of divinity degree.
    • A period of study with a senior minister is usually required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to senior positions included in this unit group, within a religious order, is possible with experience.

4155 - Probation and parole officers and related occupations

Probation officers monitor the conduct and behaviour of criminal offenders serving probation terms. Parole officers monitor the reintegration of criminal offenders serving the remainder of sentences while conditionally released into the community on parole. Classification officers assess inmates and develop rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders who are incarcerated in correctional facilities. They are employed by federal and provincial governments and work in the community and in correctional facilities.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • case manager - corrections
    • classification officer, correctional institution
    • parole officer
    • probation officer
    • youth worker - corrections

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Correctional service officers (4422)
    • Correctional services managers (See 0423 Managers in social, community and correctional services)
    • Social and community service workers (4212)
    • Social workers (4152)
  • Main duties

    Probation and parole officers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Interview offenders, police, family, friends, school authorities and employers to prepare pre-sentence reports and assess offenders' prospects for successful reintegration into the community
    • Plan rehabilitation programs with offenders, establishing rules of conduct, goals and objectives
    • Refer offenders to community and social service programs, as required
    • Supervise the terms of a probation order and attend court
    • Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans
    • Recommend remedial action or initiate court action when terms of probation or parole are violated
    • May perform administrative duties and supervise support staff
    • May participate in policy development.

    Classification officers, correctional institutions, perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Interview inmates to assess adjustment problems and develop suitable rehabilitation programs
    • Prepare classification reports recommending type of incarceration and types of interventions considered most beneficial for the rehabilitation of the inmates
    • Plan rehabilitation programs with offenders, identifying needs and setting out goals and objectives
    • Liaise with the inmates' families and contacts in the community to maintain established bonds outside of the institution
    • Advise and counsel inmates regarding their problems and evaluate their progress.
  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in social work, criminology, psychology, sociology or other related social science discipline is required.
    • A master's degree in social work, criminology, psychology or other related social science discipline may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to correctional service management positions is possible with additional training or experience.

4156 - Employment counsellors

Employment counsellors provide assistance and information to job seeker clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning. They also provide advice and information to employer clients regarding employment issues and human resources. Employment counsellors are employed by human resource departments of establishments, employment service organizations, consulting firms, correctional facilities and by federal and provincial governments. Supervisors of employment counsellors are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • career counsellor - except education
    • career development counsellor
    • employment counsellor
    • outplacement counsellor
    • relocation consultant
    • relocation counsellor

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Educational counsellors (4033)
    • Employment insurance officers (See 1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers)
    • Human resources and recruitment officers (1223)
    • Job coaches for persons with disabilities (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
    • Vocational rehabilitation counsellors (See 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors)
  • Main duties

    Employment counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational background and career goals
    • Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews
    • Assess need for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid or further training and refer clients to the appropriate services
    • Provide established workers with information and strategies for maintaining a job or moving within an organization, dealing with job dissatisfaction, making mid-career changes and adjusting to workplace transitions
    • Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information
    • Advise employers on human resource and other employment-related issues
    • Provide consulting services to community groups and agencies, businesses, industry and other organizations involved in providing community-based career planning support or resources
    • May administer and interpret tests designed to determine the interests, aptitudes and abilities of clients.
  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree or college diploma in employment counselling, career development or in a related field, such as human resources development, psychology, education or social services is required.
    • A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work may be required.
    • In Quebec, membership in a professional association is mandatory to use the title ''counsellor''.
  • Additional information

    • Mobility to positions in personnel or training is possible.
    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible through experience.
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