3111-NOC

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

(NOC 31100)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$244,221
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
2,510

Career Overview

Specialist physicians are doctors with extra training and who treat patients in specific areas of health care, including clinical medicine and laboratory medicine.

Residents in training to become specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are included in this unit group.

Duties

In general, specialist physicians act as consultants to other physicians and they may also do medical research.

Allergists and immunologists

  • Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system

Anesthesiologists

  • Administer anesthetics before, during or after surgery or other medical procedures

Dermatologists

  • Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin

Hospitalists

  • Provide inpatient care in settings such as medical wards, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or emergency rooms 
  • Manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment

Internists, general

  • Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems 
  • Provide care for adults who have a range of problems associated with the internal organs

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 track radionuclide preparation, administration, and disposition

Pediatricians, general

  • Diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries

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
  • 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

Psychiatrists

  • Diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind

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, as well as physical and psychiatric illnesses and disorders
  • Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other procedures to identify and understand the patient’s health issue
  • Prescribe medication and treatment
  • Refer patients for surgery or other specialized treatments
  • Act as consultants to other physicians
  • May conduct medical research

Specialists in laboratory medicine, including pathologists:

  • Study how diseases start or are caused, how they change over time, and what happens to people when they get a disease
  • Analyze and review laboratory samples and specimens using microscopes and other medical tools
  • Act as consultants to other physicians
  • May perform autopsies

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$244,221

Provincial Hourly Rate

HighNot available
MedianNot available
LowNot available
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

5,235

% Employed Full Time

47%
Source: 2021 Census

Specialist physicians work in various medical or health-care locations. This includes private offices or clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities. They could also work in labs and academic health sciences centres.

While precautions are taken and safety measures are put in place, people in this career could be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses that may cause illness. They may work with equipment and instruments that could cause back, wrist and other injuries. They may be near or use X-rays and radioactive substances or non-ionizing radiation, such as radio frequencies and infrared, ultraviolet or visible light, which may be bad for their health.

Career Pathways

Progression to management positions, such as director of laboratory medicine or chief of surgery, is possible with experience.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

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

Education, Training and Skills

For a career as a specialist physician, a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) is required.

Those who want to become a doctor usually complete four years of undergraduate training before taking four years of medical school. Medical schools have high academic admission requirements. University medical programs interview applicants to make sure that along with good academic records, they also have the needed social skills and attitude to work as a doctor.

Residents in training to become specialist physicians are included in this group.

Graduates of medical programs go through two years of formal residency training. The residency program is competitive, and graduates may need to travel to other provinces to do their residency. To become a fully licensed physician in B.C., graduates must pass two licensing exams given by the Medical Council of Canada, a national exam provided by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and become licensed through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Doctors must maintain professional insurance.

Ongoing medical education and professional development are required throughout specialist physicians’ careers to make sure they keep up with changes and improvements in their field, and to ensure that they provide patients with modern treatments and current advice. All family physicians must complete at least 50 hours per year of continuing professional education throughout their career.

Specialists in clinical medicine must have up to five years of specialty residency training and for some, up to two years of subspecialty training may also be required.

Specialists in laboratory medicine need between four to five years of specialty residency training.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Physicians and Surgeons
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

79%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

79%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

78%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

75%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

75%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

75%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

73%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

72%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

71%
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

71%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

5,235
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 120 2.3%
Kootenay 75 1.4%
Mainland/Southwest 3,535 67.5%
North Coast and Nechako 40 0.8%
Northeast 25 0.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 570 10.9%
Vancouver Island/Coast 875 16.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

2,510
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 50 0.5%
Kootenay 40 1.2%
Mainland/Southwest 1,740 2.0%
North Coast and Nechako 20 1.1%
Northeast 10 -0.1%
Thompson-Okanagan 260 1.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 410 1.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Health Care And Social Assistance2,510
Manufacturing0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

A growing and aging population will require more health services, including doctors who are specialists in certain areas of medicine.

Overall, in the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of doctors treating patients. Still, in parts of the province, it is hard for some patients to find a specialist physician.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers B.C.’s only medical program, which is delivered throughout the province in partnership with other post-secondary institutions, health authorities and community physician practices. There are four regionally distinct sites:

  • Island Medical Program (IMP) at the University of Victoria
  • Northern Medical Program (NMP) in Prince George at the University of Northern British Columbia
  • Southern Medical Program (SMP) in Kelowna at UBC Okanagan
  • Vancouver Fraser Medical Program

Even though opportunities for medical education in B.C. have gone up, there are still not enough graduates to meet the needs of an aging population. As a result, B.C. has filled gaps by recruiting physicians from other parts of Canada and around the world.

Resources