Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Hearing instrument practitioners:

• Completion of a two- or three-year college program in a hearing instrument specialist program, including a period of supervised training 

In B.C., these professionals must be registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of B.C. Registration requires:

• Two years of post-secondary education with a course in hearing aid dispensing
• Completion of written and practical examinations provided by the college

For more information visit www.cshhpbc.org/default.htm.

Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants:

• Completion of a three- to four-year college program

Ophthalmic medical technicians:

• Completion of a one-year hospital based ophthalmic technician training program, or
• Minimum of one year on-the-job training working as a certified ophthalmic assistant under the supervision of an ophthalmologist

Ophthalmic medical technologists:

• Completion of a two-year hospital-based training program in ophthalmic medical technology, or
• Completion of a 4 year bachelor’s degree program in Ophthalmic Medical Technology, or 
• Minimum of two years of on-the-job training working as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician under the supervision of an ophthalmologist
• Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers

Certified Ophthalmic Technician and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist may have additional specialty certification such as Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB) or Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)

International certification is available for ophthalmic assistants, technicians and technologists through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.

Physical rehabilitation technicians:

• Completion of a three-year college program in physical rehabilitation therapy
• Completion of a period of supervised practical training

Physiotherapy assistants:

• Completion of a two-year physical therapy assistant (PTA) college program, or a two-year rehabilitation therapy assistant program 
• Completion of a period of supervised practical training

Occupational therapy assistants: 

• Completion of a two-year occupational therapy assistant (OTA) college program

Recreational therapy assistants:

• Completion of a two-year, 60-credit university or college level diploma in therapeutic recreation (RecTA) as per the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA) and British Columbia Therapeutic Recreation Association (BCTRA); refer to the BCTRA for specific entry qualifications.
• Although other, less intensive educational paths exist for this role, many employers do not accept them and they limit advancement opportunities. See Career Paths for more information.

More hands-on specialties within this field, such as massage therapy assistant and recreation therapy assistant, benefit from training in the following specific tasks or certifications:

• CPR/First Aid
• Training in caring for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Food and liquor preparation and serving
• Class IV driver’s license

Members of this group 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 WorkSafe BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
 

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

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

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.

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

B.C. faces a shortage of members of this group. As the population of B.C. both grows and ages, demand for medical workers of all kinds is increasing, and this is especially true for members of this group, who often work directly with elderly people. Some positions can take over a year to fill due to the shortage of qualified applicants, and the shortage is most acutely felt in rural and northern regions.

One factor exacerbating the shortage is the need for a Class IV unrestricted driver’s license, which few applicants possess but many positions in this group require. As a result, more positions are waiving this requirement.

Additionally, programs training members of this group are often not standardized between institutions or provinces, complicating the qualification and assessment of applicants. The switch from less intensive training to a two-year diploma as the standard for recreation therapy assistants has reduced the qualified applicant pool for recreation therapy assistants, though some employers have broadened the criteria they will accept in the name of filling positions. That said, employers strongly prefer, and usually mandate, two-year diplomas, especially for recreation therapy assistants.

Duties in all fields within this group are evolving as service settings expand and client populations become more complex. Recreation therapy assistants are increasingly supporting therapeutic, goal-directed recreation programs for individuals with a range of physical, cognitive and mental health conditions. Many assistants work with older adults in long-term care and adult day programs, where clients often present with complex needs such as dementia, acquired brain injury and multiple chronic health conditions. Recreation therapy assistants are also increasingly working in mental health and substance use services, supporting adults experiencing conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

Recent trends in this group include:

• Increased use of digital activity planning and documentation systems
• Greater emphasis on person-centred engagement and individualized programming
• Increased delivery of structured recreation therapy programs that support cognitive stimulation, emotional wellbeing, and social participation