Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (NOC 3414)

What They Do The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group: Orthopedic technologists assist orthopedic surgeons in the treatment of orthopedic diseases and injuries by applying and adjusting casts, splints, bandages and other orthopedic devices; assisting in the application, maintenance and adjustment of traction equipment; cleaning and dressing wounds; and removing casts, sutures, staples and pins. They also instruct patients and their families and other health care professionals with respect to orthopedic matters. Therapy assistants prepare and maintain equipment and supplies, assist patients as directed by health care professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and chiropractors and may perform routine office functions. Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants operate laboratory equipment to grind, cut, polish and edge lenses for eyeglasses according to prescriptions received and fit lenses into frames; make minor repairs for customers such as replacing frame screws or straightening frames; and maintain and repair optical laboratory equipment or machinery. Pharmacy assistants assist pharmacists by compounding, packaging and labelling pharmaceutical products and by maintaining prescription records and inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products. Central supply aides collect and sort soiled supplies and instruments from hospital departments; operate machines such as instrument washers, sonic sinks, cart washers and steam autoclaves to clean, reprocess and sterilize these supplies for re-use; and assemble packs of sterile supplies and instruments for delivery to hospital departments. Blood donor clinic assistants set up and dismantle equipment; prepare and maintain cleanliness of collection areas; maintain supplies; record information on donors; monitor donors throughout procedure and assist with post-donation care and donor reaction care as assigned under supervision of a registered nurse; and label and process donated blood. Morgue attendants assist pathologists at autopsies by laying out surgical instruments; preparing solutions for preservation of specimens; transferring bodies from morgue to examining table; removing organs and tissue specimens, as instructed by attending pathologist, and placing them in preservative solutions; and cleaning and sewing up bodies for release to funeral home.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Health care and social assistance 53% Retail trade 40% The unionization rate (37%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services are found in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Ambulance Attendants and Other Paramedical Occupations (NOC 3234) Other Technical Occupations in Health Care (Except Dental) (NOC 323) Technical Occupations in Dental Health Care (NOC 322) Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 3413)

Something to Think About

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 Orthopedic technologists usually require completion of secondary school and Several months of on-the-job training or A college orthopedic technologist program. Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists is available and usually required by employers. Health care courses or short-term college programs related to the work of medical assistants, such as occupational therapy assistant/physiotherapy assistant programs or a program in central supply service techniques, are available and may be required by employers. Pharmacy assistants require completion of secondary school and Several months of on-the-job training or A five- to nine-month college program in pharmaceutical services. Completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training are usually required for other assisting occupations in this unit group. Almost 2 in 5 have have either an undegraduate university degree or 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). Social Services (C891) Biology (U620) *  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 Interpersonal communication skills Customer relations		Useful High School Subjects Sciences English Computer Basics Health
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 GOOD because: Employement grew at an average rate. Hourly wages ($14.51) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average. The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Good   2009   Good

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be GOOD because: The employment growth rate will likely be above 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 You'll benefit from advanced training that would allow you to take advantage of opportunities requiring additional knowledge/skills. You're more likely to succeed if you pursue opportunities in nursing homes/other long-term care facilities.

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 $11.87 $11.74 25-54 $15.23 $19.76 55+ $16.21 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $14.51 $18.07		Hourly wages ($14.51) are below the national average ($18.07). These earnings are below to the average for occupations in the health sector and close to the average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an 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 intermediate 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 7% 11% 1994 3% 10% 1995 3% 10% 1996 3% 10% 1997 2% 9% 1998 2% 8% 1999 2% 8% 2000 2% 7% 2001 2% 7% 2002 1% 8% 2003 2% 8% 2004 1% 7%

% of Part-time work is above average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 71% 81% Part-time 29% 19%		There were 54,500 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 105% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (29%) is above the 2004 average (19%) and has risen significantly since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Below average
The percentage of self-employed workers (0%) is below the 2004 average (15%)		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 0% 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 16% 10% 25-54 72% 72% 55+ 8% 12%		The relatively high percentage of younger workers suggests more entry-level positions and jobs that may serve as stepping stones in a career. The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
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 (87%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has risen since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 87% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31