National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

3 - Health occupations

Occupations in this category are concerned with providing health care services directly to patients and occupations that provide technical support to medical staff. To progress from medical and dental technical occupations to professional occupations, completion of additional formal education is required. Progression to supervisory positions requires experience in the occupations supervised. Support occupations in health are usually supplied from short training programs specific to the support area.

31 - Professional occupations in health (except nursing)

This major group comprises professional occupations in health, except those involved in nursing. It includes physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, dietitians and nutritionists; and other diagnosing, treating, therapy and assessment professionals.

312 - Optometrists, chiropractors and other health diagnosing and treating professionals

This minor group includes such health diagnosing and treating professionals as optometrists, chiropractors, midwives, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, naturopaths, orthoptists, osteopaths, podiatrists, chiropodists, and in podiatric medicine. They work in private practice; and are employed by clinics, hospitals, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, and birthing centres.

3121 - Optometrists

Optometrists examine eyes to assess and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments such as exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders. They work in private practice, clinics and community health centres.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • doctor of optometry (OD)
    • optometrist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Ocularists (See 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health))
    • Ophthalmologists (See 3111 Specialist physicians)
    • Opticians (See 3231 Opticians)
    • Optometric technicians or Optometrist assistants (See 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)
    • Orthoptists (See 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)

  • Main duties

    Optometrists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Examine patients' eyes, conduct tests and use ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopes and other specialized instruments to determine ocular health and visual efficiency
    • Prescribe and provide treatment (excluding surgery) to maintain, improve and correct vision and manage other ocular diseases and disorders
    • Prescribe, dispense and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and other visual aids
    • Educate, counsel and advise patients on contact lens use and care, ocular hygiene, surgical and non-surgical options, and preventive care and maintenance related to occupation and lifestyle
    • Refer patients to ophthalmologists or other physicians and surgeons for treatment of ocular diseases or conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration and systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
    • May prescribe from a limited list of medications.

    Optometrists may specialize in fitting visual aids for people who are partially blind, fitting contact lenses or correcting special vision problems.

  • Employment requirements

    • Three years of university undergraduate studies in sciences
      and
      A four- to five-year university program in optometry are required.
    • Licensing by the provincial or territorial regulatory governing body is required.
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.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • chiropractic doctor
    • chiropractor

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Chiropractic aides (See 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)

  • Main duties

    Chiropractors perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Take patients' case history, conduct examinations, observe patients, and perform X-rays and other tests to diagnose patient's condition
    • Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
    • 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
    • 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.
    • Refer patients for medical care when appropriate.

  • Employment requirements

    • A minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in sciences
      and
      Completion of a four- or five-year program at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Education
      and
      Completion of the examinations of the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board and of the provincial licensing body are required.
    • Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces and in the Yukon.
3124 - Allied primary health practitioners

This unit group includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives who provide primary health care and treatment in conjunction with physicians and in collaboration with other health professionals. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide a range of health services to patients delivering preventive and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. Midwives provide full-course care to women and their babies during the pre- and post-natal period. Nurse practitioners are employed in community health centres, hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres. Physician assistants usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Midwives are employed in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres or in private practice.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • anesthesia assistant
    • midwife
    • nurse practitioner
    • nurse practitioner - extended class
    • physician assistant

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • General practitioners and family physicians (See 3112 General practitioners and family physicians)
    • Managers in health care (See 0311 Managers in health care)
    • Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (See 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)
    • Practitioners of natural healing (See 3232 Practitioners of natural healing)
    • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (See 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses)
    • Specialist physicians (See 3111 Specialist physicians)

  • Main duties

    Nurse practitioners perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Examine patients and take their medical histories and consult with physicians and other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
    • Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures
    • Inoculate and vaccinate patients
    • Advise patients and their families on health care including health promotion, disease, illness and accident prevention
    • Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary health team such as family physicians, therapists and nutritionists to plan, implement, co-ordinate and evaluate patient care in consultation with patients and their families
    • May prescribe from a limited list of medications.

    Physician assistants perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Conduct patient interviews, physical assessments and take medical histories
    • Perform or order diagnostic tests and interpret results
    • In consultation with a supervising physician, formulate and implement treatment plans and monitor patients' progress
    • Perform and assist in minor surgery
    • Provide health maintenance education
    • May participate in research activities
    • May prescribe from a limited list of medications.

    Midwives perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Provide primary, full-course, care to women and their babies during pregnancy, such as physical examinations, screening and diagnostic tests to monitor the health of mother and baby and make referrals to medical specialists as required
    • Manage labour and spontaneous normal deliveries
    • Care for, assess and monitor the health of newborns and refer infants to appropriate medical services as required
    • Provide advice and guidance regarding care for newborns and young infants.

  • Employment requirements

    • Nurse practitioners usually require a master's degree in nursing; or completion of a nursing program with additional advanced or extended primary health care nursing education; and several years of practice as a registered nurse.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for nurse practitioners in all provinces and territories.
    • Physician assistants require completion of a university degree in a physician assistant program.
    • Physician assistants require registration with a regulatory body in Manitoba and New Brunswick.
    • Midwives require completion of an undergraduate university degree program in midwifery or its equivalent and a period of supervised practical training.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for midwives in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

  • Additional information

    • There is no mobility between these occupations without further training.
3125 - Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

This unit group includes health professionals who diagnose and treat the diseases and injuries of patients and who are not elsewhere classified. This includes doctors of podiatric medicine, chiropodists and podiatrists, naturopaths, orthoptists and doctors of osteopathic medicine. They work in private practices, clinics and hospitals.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • chiropodist
    • doctor of osteopathic medicine
    • doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
    • foot specialist
    • naturopath
    • naturopathic doctor (ND)
    • orthoptist
    • osteopathic physician
    • podiatrist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Chiropractors (See 3122 Chiropractors)
    • General practitioners and family physicians (See 3112 General practitioners and family physicians)
    • Osteopathic manual therapists (See 3232 Practitioners of natural healing)
    • Specialist physicians (See 3111 Specialist physicians)

  • Main duties

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

    Doctors of podiatric medicine

    • Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients
    • Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications
    • May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot.

    Chiropodists and diploma or first-degree trained podiatrists

    • Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot
    • Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery.

    Naturopaths

    • Diagnose patients' diseases and disorders
    • Employ natural methods of healing such as acupuncture and acupressure, spinal manipulation, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counselling in their treatment.

    Orthoptists

    • Work alongside ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat eye disorders by performing specialized eye tests to measure and assess defective binocular vision or abnormal eye movement in patients
    • Prescribe treatment such as eye exercises or patching regimens.

    Doctors of osteopathic medicine

    • Diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculo-skeletal, circulatory and nervous systems
    • Treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications or surgery.

  • Employment requirements

    Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)

    • A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.
    • A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia.
    • A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practise podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

    Chiropodists and podiatrists

    • A three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada
      or
      A first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required.
    • A licence is required in New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

    Naturopaths

    • A university degree in pre-medical science is required.
    • Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad
      or
      A four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required.
    • A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

    Orthoptists

    • A bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required.
    • Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is available but is required only in Quebec.
    • Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council.

    Doctors of osteopathic medicine

    • A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathic medicine program.
    • A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree
      and
      A one-year medical residency are required. These qualifications are obtained in the United States.
    • Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
      and
      Licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.

  • Additional information

    • Chiropodist and podiatrist titles are used interchangeably in some provinces, although the title podiatrist is becoming more common. The use of the podiatrist job title does not necessarily refer to doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.).
    • Orthoptists often work as part of a medical team which includes ophthalmologists, opticians and other ophthalmic medical personnel.
    • Orthoptists may also be trained as ophthalmic technicians or technologists.
    • Doctors of osteopathic medicine may obtain a licence as general practitioners.
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