Other Technical Occupations in Health Care (Except Dental) (NOC 323)

What They Do Opticians prepare or supervise the preparation of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low vision aids from prescriptions and fit them on clients. Midwives provide full course care to women and their babies during pregnancy, labour, and birth as well as post-natal period. Acupuncturists diagnose patients' physical problems and treat them with acupuncture needles and laser/electric stimulation. Chinese medical practitioners, herbalists, homeopaths, rolfers, and reflexologists use herbs, finger pressure, manipulation, and other natural healing techniques. Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care to patients under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses, and other health team members. Operating room technicians clean and sterilize operating rooms and instruments. Ambulance attendants and paramedics provide emergency medical care and transport patients to medical facilities. Audio prosthetists, physical rehabilitation technicians, and audiometric, communication, and ophthalmic assistants provide technical support in their area of work. Massage therapists do massage therapy.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Health care and social assistance 81% Other services (except public administration) 7% Retail trade 6% Public administration 2% People in this group work for: Optical retail stores and departments Hospitals/clinics and health care institutions Ambulance services and fire departments Health clubs, spas, and health food stores Mining companies Government Private individuals The unionization rate (74%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Other Technical Occupations in Health Care (Except Dental) are found in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in Ontario and Manitoba.

Related Occupation(s) Therapy and Assessment Professionals (NOC 314) Optometrists, Chiropractors and Other Health Diagnosing and Treating Professionals (NOC 312) Ambulance Attendants and Other Paramedical Occupations (NOC 3234) Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 3233)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating your knowledge Improving interpersonal skills Setting standards and guidelines for safety/operations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need To work in this field, you usually need a high school diploma and specialized training at college, university or private institutes in your specialty. You usually need supervised practical training. You also usually need registration or certification with a professional association. You may need a licence in the province/territory where you'll work. To be an ambulance attendant, paramedic or emergency vehicle operator, you need an appropriate driver's licence. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Nursing - Other (C561) Nursing (U560) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Multidisciplinary teamwork Business procedures Interpersonal communication skills		Useful High School Subjects Sciences Math Health English
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an average rate. Hourly wages ($18.94) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is above average. The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition As opticians, you'll find opportunities in retail stores and outpatient clinics. As ambulance attendants or paramedics, you'll benefit from advanced certification allowing you to provide care to patients before they arrive at the hospital. You're also more likely to succeed if you can cope with stressful working conditions.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $16.65 $11.74 25-54 $19.27 $19.76 55+ $18.81 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $18.94 $18.07		Hourly wages ($18.94) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are below average for occupations in the health sector and close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an above-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Below the average
The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%). This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 3% 10% 1992 3% 11% 1993 3% 11% 1994 3% 10% 1995 3% 10% 1996 3% 10% 1997 2% 9% 1998 3% 8% 1999 2% 8% 2000 1% 7% 2001 1% 7% 2002 2% 8% 2003 2% 8% 2004 1% 7%

% of Part-time work is above average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 70% 81% Part-time 30% 19%		There were 98,700 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 8% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (30%) is above the 2004 average (19%) and has stayed about the same since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers is 18% compared to the 2004 average of 15% and has risen significantly since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 18% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 9% 10% 25-54 80% 72% 55+ 10% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average influenced by a similar-to-average age of workers (40).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (83%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has dropped since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 83% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31