Other professional occupations in health diagnosing & treating

About this job

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
orthoptists
osteopaths

Common job titles

chiropodist
doctor, naturopathy
doctor, osteopathic medicine / osteopathy

naturopath / ND (naturopathic doctor)

orthoptist / teaching orthoptist
osteopath - physician
physician, naturopathic

podiatrist / DPM

chiropodist
doctor, naturopathy
doctor, osteopathic medicine / osteopathy
naturopath / ND (naturopathic doctor)
orthoptist / teaching orthoptist
osteopath - physician

physician, naturopathic
podiatrist / DPM

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$55,235

Source: 2019 Wage Bank Data Median employment income from 2016 Census

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2019 - 2024
2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 300

2019
2024
2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
37.0%
100 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
63.0%
170 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Kootenay

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2019:

330

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.7%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

160

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Northeast

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2019:

80

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.8%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

50

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2019:

110

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.5%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

50

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

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

Orthoptists:

help ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders by performing specialized eye tests to measure and assess defective binocular vision or abnormal eye movement in patients
prescribe treatment such as eye exercises or patching

Osteopaths or osteopathic physicians:

diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculo-skeletal, circulatory and nervous systems
treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications or surgery

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

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.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

500 workers are employed

45% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Health Care and Social Assistance:

98%

Educational Services:

2%

View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

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.

Orthoptists

A bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required.
Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is required.
Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council.

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.

As of July 1, 2017 when the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into force, you will not need significant additional training, experience, testing or assessment if your qualifications or certificates are recognized by a Canadian regulatory authority. This applies whether you were trained in Canada or internationally. Learn about labour mobility at www.workersmobility.ca. For information about labour mobility and foreign qualifications recognition, contact the B.C. regulator for your occupation.

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Work-related skills

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

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.

Orthoptists may also be trained as ophthalmic technicians or technologists.

Osteopaths may obtain a licence as general practitioners.

Orthoptists often work as part of a medical team that includes ophthalmologists, opticians and other ophthalmic medical personnel.

Additional resources

British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA)
www.bcna.ca
British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association – Careers
www.bcpodiatrists.ca/careers
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND)
www.cand.ca/index.php
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM)
www.ccnm.edu
Canadian Naturopathic Foundation (CNF)
www.exploreyourhealth.ca
Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA)
www.podiatrycanada.org
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
www.scpod.org

Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 3125)

About this job

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Career paths and resources

Skills of the future

Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 3125)

About this job

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Work-related skills

What skills do you need for this career?

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Skills of the future