National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
- 3 - Health occupations
- 31 - Professional occupations in health
- 311 - Health treating and consultation services professionals
- 3110 - Physicians and veterinarians
31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders and act as consultants to other physicians. Specialists in laboratory medicine study the nature, cause and development of diseases in humans. Specialists in clinical medicine usually work in private practice or in a hospital while those in laboratory medicine usually work in hospitals. Residents in training to become specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are included in this unit group.
Illustrative example(s)
- anatomical pathologist
- anesthetist
- cardiologist
- dermatologist
- diagnostic radiologist
- emergency physician
- endocrinologist
- gastroenterologist
- general pathologist
- geriatrician
- hematologist
- hematopathologist
- medical biochemist - physician
- medical microbiologist
- nephrologist
- neurologist
- neuropathologist
- oncologist
- pediatrician
- physiatrist
- pneumologist
- psychiatrist
- radiation oncologist
- respirologist
- rheumatologist
Exclusion(s)
- Chiropractors (See 31201 Chiropractors)
- Dental surgeon (See 31110 Dentists)
- General practitioners and family physicians (See 31102 General practitioners and family physicians)
- Immunologist (See 21110 Biologists and related scientists)
- Managers in health care (See 30010 Managers in health care)
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (See 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)
- Physicians assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (See 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals)
- Specialists in surgery (See 31101 Specialists in surgery)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Anesthesiologists
- Administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.
Internists, general
- Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
Pediatricians, general
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.
Psychiatrists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.
Allergists and immunologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Hospitalists
- Provide inpatient care predominantly in settings such as medical wards, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or emergency rooms. Manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment.
Neurologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and disorders of the nervous system involving the brain and spinal cord and other nerve and muscular conditions.
Nuclear medicine physicians
- Diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials. May monitor radionuclide preparation, administration, and disposition.
Dermatologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
- Diagnose and treat disorders requiring physiotherapy to provide physical, mental, and occupational rehabilitation.
Preventive medicine physicians
- Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death. May diagnose and treat patients in the context of clinical health promotion and disease prevention.
Radiologists
- Examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using x-rays and radioactive materials. May treat patients.
Other specialists in clinical medicine
- Diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders. Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures. Prescribe medication and treatment and refer patients for surgery. Act as consultants to other physicians. May conduct medical research.
Specialists in laboratory medicine, including pathologists
- Diagnose presence and stage of diseases using laboratory techniques and patient specimens. Study the nature, cause and development of diseases in humans and the structural and functional changes caused by diseases. Act as consultants to other physicians. May perform autopsies.
Employment requirements
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- A bachelor's degree or in Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
- Graduation from an approved medical school and specific specialty training are required.
- 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.
Specialists in clinical medicine
- Four to five years of specialty residency training are required.
- Two years of subspecialty training may also be required.
Specialists in laboratory medicine
- Four to five years of specialty residency training are required.
Additional information
- Progression to management positions, such as director of laboratory medicine is possible with experience.
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