Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
High opportunity occupation
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
Job Titles
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.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
910% Employed Full Time
36%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:
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.
Top 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!
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.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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
910Employment by Region
| 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% |
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 (2024-2034)
350Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 1.1% |
| Kootenay | 30 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 200 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 60 | 1.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 60 | 2.7% |
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
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 350 |
Resources
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British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA)www.bcna.ca
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British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association – Careerswww.bcpodiatrists.ca/careers
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Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND)www.cand.ca/index.php
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Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM)www.ccnm.edu
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Canadian Naturopathic Foundation (CNF)www.exploreyourhealth.ca
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Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA)www.podiatrycanada.org