3111-NOC

Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

(NOC 31209)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$71,500
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
370

Career Overview

This group includes health professionals who diagnose and treat the diseases and injuries of patients and who are not elsewhere classified.

This includes the following professionals who work in private practices, clinics and hospitals:

  • Doctors of podiatric medicine
  • Chiropodists
  • Podiatrists
  • Naturopaths
  • Osteopaths

Duties

Doctors of podiatric medicine are primary care practitioners who:

  • Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and explain 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
  • Use 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

Osteopaths or osteopathic physicians:

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

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

$71,500

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

910

% Employed Full Time

36%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this group:

  • Work generally takes place in a private practices, clinics and hospitals
  • Workers may be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses that may cause illness
  • Working with equipment and instruments may cause injuries
  • Exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-rays and radioactive substances or non-ionizing radiation such as radio frequencies and infrared, ultraviolet or visible light that may pose health risks

Career Pathways

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.).

There are two licences in British Columbia – one allows the doctor of osteopathy full scope of practice rights, while the other limits practice to osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Osteopaths may obtain a licence as general practitioners.

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
Social
Social

Job Titles

Chiropodist
Doctor of naturopathic medicine
Doctor of osteopathic medicine
Doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
Foot specialist
Naturopathic doctor (ND)
Osteopathic physician
Podiatrist

Education, Training and Skills

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, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, 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 Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia

Osteopaths

  • A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathy 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 usually obtained in the United States
  • A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia

Professionals who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association and/or the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

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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!

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.

76%
Critical Thinking

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

76%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

73%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

71%
Writing

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

69%
Judgment and Decision Making

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

68%
Complex Problem Solving

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

66%
Active Learning

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

66%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

62%

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

910
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 15 1.7%
Kootenay 55 6.1%
Mainland/Southwest 535 59.1%
North Coast and Nechako 10 1.1%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 145 16.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 145 16.0%
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)

370
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 10 0.3%
Kootenay 30 1.4%
Mainland/Southwest 210 1.9%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 60 1.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 60 2.2%
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 Assistance370
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources